The school bell rang, cutting Pearl off in mid-sentence. The scrape of chairs and rustling of books became momentarily overwhelming before she managed to get her voice heard over the din.

“Homework this weekend: read pages 54 through to 69 and write 400 words comparing and contrasting how the protagonist and antagonist react to the events.”

Groans began to build up in a teenage crescendo, particularly loud at the front of the class near the door, where Liam Cruz, the school’s star athlete, was sitting.

Pearl approached, leaned over and put her hands on his desk, pretending not to notice when his eyes momentarily dipped to look down her shirt...