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A silence falls on our little group. The seven of us look around at each other. None of us can predict who it will be.

'The bachelors are deciding now, I will be back in one hour to tell you who is leaving the castle,' Spencer says solemnly.

He leaves us to it and we all know that it's going to be a very long hour for us. We decide to pass the time by watching a movie. There's not much else for us to do here.

Before we know it, Spencer is back and entering the lounge.

'I want to congratulate all of you for making it this far. You have been with us for ten days and it has been lovely having you, so thank you,' he says warmly.

We all wait to be told who is leaving next.

'The bachelors have voted, they have each chosen two ladies to save. I'm sorry, but the woman without a vote is...Niki.'

Niki's shoulders drop and aw's go around the group. We all look at her sympathetically.

'Take some time to say goodbye to everyone and pack up your things. I will be waiting for you in the foyer,' Spencer tells her.

She nods sadly and turns to us.

'I want to thank you all, as well. You've been so friendly and I've loved spending the last week with you.' Her voice breaks a little.

We all embrace her in turn, saying comforting things and promising to stay in touch. After she has packed up her things, we wave her off as she disappears around the corner with her suitcase.

As usual, there is a sad vibe amongst our group after someone leaves. It suddenly feels a lot smaller.

I sit down next to Saff and we cuddle into each other.

'Do you think there's any connection?' She whispers. 'You know, Fidel coming out of Marybeth's room and then her leaving, and then last night, Fidel coming out of Niki's room and now her leaving?'

I consider it. 'I really don't know, but it seems a bit of a strange coincidence.'

The rest of the afternoon, we all lounge about. Saff and Florie chill out in my room whilst I unpack my new clothes. I'll admit, shopping was actually quite fun.

'This is crazy, there's only six of us now,' Florie says, lying on her back on my bed.

Saff nods from over by the window. 'I know. I want to know who saved me, Ahmed or Fidel.'

I consider it for a moment. 'I'm thinking Fidel. He definitely would have picked Lula, and Ahmed would have chosen Florie and Binah.'

Florie groans. 'Ugh, Binah. I love her, she's so nice, but she's my main competition and it sucks.'

I feel sorry for her. Helene is easy to dislike, she's nasty to me. But for Florie, it's harder. Binah is actually really nice and she holds no grudges against Florie for liking Ahmed, too.

Why can't Helene be like that with me?

She seems to take it really personally that I like Bain, like I've done it on purpose to spite her or something.

The afternoon draws into evening and we all eat together in the communal room. It's nice spending time with the girls, but it's evenings like this that I miss our bachelors. I wish I could see Bain every day and night.

It's scary how much I like him. This process definitely amplifies feelings.

'Can I stay in your room tonight?' Saff asks when we get ready for bed.

I happily agree. Weird things have been happening and I don't want anyone sneaking into my room tonight. I feel safer with Saff in bed next to me.

Saff and I share my bed and I fall asleep quickly with her next to me. But it's not for long.

I wake up and glance at the clock. I've only slept an hour or so.

My body must be so used to waking up at this time each night, that it has affected my sleep pattern and now, I keep doing it.

I don't even bother to go to the kitchen under the pretence of water, I simply stick my head out of the door and into the corridor.

My gut instinct is telling me that something might happen tonight. It happened last night, so why not tonight?

I have to wait quite a few minutes. I get cold and feel like going back to bed, but the sound of a door opening catches my attention.

I watch, completely horrified as Bain steps out of Helene's room. There is a stern look on his face and his jaw is set.

Even after he goes around the corner, I remain frozen at the door. I can't get myself to move. I'm in shock.

A hand on my arm makes me cry out in surprise.

Saff is out of bed and stood next to me.

'Jesus! You scared the life out of me!' I hiss at her.

'Sorry! I didn't mean to,' she replies quickly. She pokes her head around the door. 'Did you see anyone?'

I shake my head in disappointment. 'Bain. Coming out of Helene's room.'

Saff stares at me and blinks once. 'Sorry, what now?'

'I know.'

'The fuck is wrong with that man?' She grumbles to herself as we climb back into my bed.

I curl up to her side and, although it takes a while, I eventually get back to sleep.

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'I'm asking her.'

I look up from my breakfast to stare at Saffron.

'No way!' I protest.

'Yep. Definitely asking her.' Saff nods.

I follow her line of sigh to Helene, sitting across the table from us.

'You can't!'

Saffron turns to me. 'And why not?'

'Because!' I splutter. 'I don't want you to.'

'Only because you're worried about what they were doing in there. Wouldn't you rather know?' She demands and I grimace.

'I'm not sure. All I know is, I'm pissed at him.'

Why is he going into her room and not mine?

After we've eaten, I can't stop Saffron. Whilst everyone else clears away the dishes, Saff goes over to Helene.

'I saw Bain coming out of your room last night, what was that about?' Saffron asks directly, with no warning.

Helene frowns. 'What are you talking about? I don't know what you mean.'

I watch from a safe distance as Saff crosses her arms over her chest.

'Don't play innocent. I saw him coming out of your room last night.'

Helene scoffs. 'Trust me, I would know if Bain was in my room.'

She winks at Saff, who scoffs in irritation.

'You're honestly just going to lie to my face?' Saff retorts.

Helene scowls at her. 'Who do you think you are? Interrogating me! Not that it is any of your business, but Bain wasn't in my fucking room last night. End of.'

She storms off and Saff looks over at me. I shrug and approach her.

'Kira didn't remember either,' Saff comments. 'Maybe they sneak in when they're sleeping.'

'But I heard voices? They must have been talking.'

Saff shrugs. 'Maybe Kira sleep-talks? I don't know, Am. This shit is weird.'

Spencer stops by to tell us that we are allowed to go skiing or have a spa day, our choice. Saffron and I choose to go skiiing again.

Being the great friend that she is, she takes the easier slopes with me. It's a good distraction from all the drama that is going on back at the castle.

One thing is for certain, I'm definitely going to speak to Bain when we have drinks tonight.

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It's night eleven, and we're all glammed up again. I'm wearing a new dress that Saffron picked out for me yesterday.

We wait impatiently for our bachelors to arrive. Nights like these should be a lot nicer now that there are less of us vying for time.

The moment Bain walks through the door, my eyes lock with his. His dark eyes roam up and down my body, taking in my new dress appreciatively.

He smiles at me, but I don't return it. A frown sets on his face.

Spencer makes a small announcement, we have three more days here, and then a toast. We all raise our glasses, and then we are free to socialise.

Saff nudges me in Bain's direction before going over to grab Spencer. The two of them go over to one of the loveseats, looking like a loved-up pair.

I get to Bain before Helene.

'Amity,' he says my name affectionately. 'How are you?'

'Good, thanks,' I reply tersely. 'Can we talk on the balcony?'

My clipped tone makes Bain wary, but he nods and gives me a tight smile.

'Of course.'

We go out onto the balcony and as always, he places a blanket around my shoulders. We take a seat on the bench and I turn to face him head on.

I need a straight answer from him, that means I should give him a straight question.

I meet his eyes and he watches me curiously, no doubt dying to know why I'm not acting like my usual, warm self.

'Why were you in Helene's room last night?'

Bain's face drops and his eyes harden.

'You saw me?'

I nod, keeping my face impassive.

He rubs his chin and tenses his jaw, looking away from me. It's a silent for a moment, neither of us says anything.

Bain turns back to me and his eyes bore into mine.

'Do you trust me?'

The question catches me off-guard.

'Amity,' he murmurs huskily. 'Do you trust me?'

I hate myself for my answer. I shouldn't. There's no way I should. Not after knowing him for only eleven days and not after the shady move he pulled last night.

'Yes, unfortunately,' I reply reluctantly.

Bain takes my face in his hands.

'Then keep trusting me, please,' he begs quietly. 'I promise you, I will tell you everything at the end of this. Hold on for three more days, and everything will be explained.'

I remain silent, looking into his eyes to try and find any glimmer of deception or lie.

There's nothing but honesty.

He runs his thumb over my bottom lip.

'I can't lose you. Stay with me, please.'

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