Johnno — Chapter 32

After the ceremony, Johnno downs champagne to steady himself, feeling inferior among old Trevellyan schoolmates who now boast careers and wealth. Their banter reminds Johnno of his reputation as a waster and dredges up guilt over the past, including a younger boy they exploited and hurt to impress Will.

Johnno remembers escalating dares and punishments they imposed on the boy, revealing a pattern of cruelty masked as fun. Determined to prove himself, he tries to mention his new whiskey venture but fails to steer the conversation.

Will’s father, Mr. Slater, corners Johnno and coldly remarks that Johnno has not changed, then pointedly says Johnno did Will’s dirty work. Mr. Slater reveals he knows Johnno once broke into his office to steal GCSE papers, which he suppressed to protect the school. Shaken, Johnno flees for stronger drink.

At the bar, Johnno recognizes Piers, producer of Survive the Night. Their awkward reunion reminds Johnno that he was rejected for the show, despite having seeded the concept during a pub chat with Will about their school “Survival” game. Will had insisted the long-ago incident was an accident, pressing Johnno to agree.

As Piers makes a slippery comment about “our loss,” Johnno bristles and confronts him about being unwanted. The encounter intensifies Johnno’s unease: the stolen exams, the bullied boy, and the buried “accident” all resurface, casting a shadow over Will’s success and Johnno’s role in it.