Maria hadn't expected to jump out of the window and not see Cassie there waiting for her; and then when she'd snuck away until she was out of sight of the library windows, Maria had thought Cassie would see her and follow. Less than a minute had passed, but she was already beginning to worry.

"Did she tell me to meet her somewhere else?" Maria said out loud to herself. "God, we really should have discussed this plan in more detail."

It crossed her mind to make a run for the school gate, to look for Ree alone, but that wouldn't be fair to Cassie.

'Maybe she's hurt?'

"Cassie? Cassie?" Maria slowly made her way along the line of hedges in search of the girl.