Book excerpt: Still haunted, thirty years later, by memories of Jane, Claire and Angela, the bullies of her school years, imprisoned by the selfish demands of her invalid mother, betrayed by her boyfriend, Rose's only solace is the attic where she paints and invents an alter ego. When she's invited to a school reunion, Rose goes in disguise but flees when she's recognised by Maggie, her old Sports Mistress. Jane Rossetti, one of the trio who made Rose's school years a misery, now feeling remorse, is drawn into Rose's life through her abusive mother. Jane's ex-partner, Robyn, finds Rose "odd". Claire dies. Angela is murdered and Robyn warns Jane "she's a nutter...and you're the only one left". As Jane and Rose grow closer, Jane, ignores Robyn's warning until her daughter Lauren, disappears with Rose. Rose again feels rejection; more secrets emerge, and a terrified Lauren flees for her life.