'It'll be shut,' Margaret was blunt. 'Ben the porter won't let you in.'
Lorna gave a small smile. 'It won't be shut for us, Margaret; we'll get in.'
'I don't want to come,' Margaret said at once.
'I hope that you do come,' Lorna said. 'I might need you.'
'Oh.' Margaret looked astonished. 'Nobody ever needs me.'
Lorna leaned over and touched her arm. 'I do.'
Margaret's breathing roughened. 'I'll come,' she said slowly, 'if you need me.'
'Thank you.' Lorna knew how much courage it would take for Margaret to re-enter the school.
An owl hooted mournfully from the trees that surrounded St Ann's, and somewhere in the dark, a dog barked, once, twice and then again, ending in a series of sharp squeals and the ugly snarl of a man.
Lorna looked to her right, where Margaret crouched, white-
