An hour later and Rory is nowhere to be found and everyone in the half grows restless and a brief murmur goes around and I can’t ignore them or act like nothing is happening. I become perplexed and worried and I think of any reasons that might make him not turn up.

Phoebe returns to us and shakes her head. “His line is switched off.”

I bite down on my lips, trying to not sound so wrecked because that is exactly how I am feeling now. “I don’t know why he’s not here. We talked last night, and he was eager to come. He should have been here already, according...