‘Just the person I wanted to see!’ announced the voice of Radio Edda’s producer, appearing in the corridor that separated their offices just as María was on her way out. ‘I read your last article about disability and I’d really like to get you on to the morning programme for an interview,’ he said, his voice slightly slurred.

‘I don’t do radio,’ María said. ‘The written word is my thing.’

That was her standard response to the man’s endless behests to join him for an interview. He seemed certain that, because she rented office space from them, she had to agree with their standpoint, despite the wealth of material published in The Squirrel that should have made the opposite plain.

‘We’re working towards a common aim,’ he said, moving closer, as if to corner her, so that she would be unable to escape his booze-laden breath as he blathered on about everything they had in common. María knew his tactics and made smartly for the door, holding it open for him with an amiable smile. This was not the time for listening to the old guy holding forth.

‘No,’ she said. ‘I’d say that our social outlooks are polar opposites. You are on the far right and I’m on the far left.’

The producer navigated his way out through the doors, which were barely wide enough for a man of his generous build.

‘Left and right are obsolete concepts,’ he gasped as he set off towards the door of the shop next door. ‘These days it’s all about north and south.’

María had been on the way to the same shop to pick up a ready meal, but when she saw the old boy go in there, she decided she had no desire to stand in a queue, listening to him going on about how the government was stealing from the disabled so that it could provide luxuries for Islamic immigrants instead.

She got in her car and was about to start the engine when her phone pinged an alert. She had received an email. She had to read the message a couple of times to make sure that Agla was genuinely asking her to pay her a visit.

I have important business to discuss with you, the message read.

María opened a new message to the visits co-ordinator to confirm the date and time.

17

Júlía stood up when their number was called and went to fetch their kebabs, while Anton worked his way through the process of buying cinema tickets on his phone. She had wanted to see a romantic comedy, which he wasn’t excited about, but he said nothing. She had gone with him to see action movies that he knew she didn’t much enjoy, so naturally he should show her the same consideration.