Joachim Noreiko

Some children were gathered around a lamppost, throwing something up at it that looked like an item of clothing. At first Zo thought they were taunting one of the group, but then she saw the boy who was without a T-shirt was just as keen on flinging it as high as he could. One caught Zo’s eye and said ‘Yeah?’ accusingly. Another stated openly, ‘If we cover the top, the light comes on.’ Why they might want to switch on a street light in the first place needed no explanation, obviously.

Zo shook her head to herself as she and Billy walked on, and, not for the first time, thought of what the kids in her classes turned into after hours.

‘I did think Maddy might have wanted to see her friends up here anyway,’ said Billy, once they had left the kids behind. ‘Even though she hasn’t seen them in a few years. It’s been different since Sally died.’

Zo reacted as if stung.

She dropped her pace a little, falling behind so Billy couldn’t see her face.

‘Everything changed, didn’t it?’ Billy continued, walking on without missing a beat. ‘Your mother and father, you, Barney. Everything changed.’ She spoke like she was reciting a sad poem.

‘We’re managing,’ said Zo.