‘Those things are not for sale. At least not to the likes of us. They’re reserved for the people with power. True, they’re normally also the ones with money. But we are disposable. To be honest, every time one of us dies, those in power see it as one problem less. There’s no incentive, at least in their minds, to keep us alive.’

‘You must hate us,’ I said.

‘Why would I? There’s no profit in hate.’

I turned the watch and the ring over in my hands.

‘Why did Xena … Lauren take these then, if they aren’t of use?’

‘That girl! She likes shiny things. And she knew you thought they were important. But they’re not. They’re really not.’ Nonna ran a hand through her hair. ‘We trade, we barter. If we need something built and no one here can do it, we might trade a pig for someone who can. That’s the way our society works. Money is no use if there’s nothing to buy. I wouldn’t trade that ring in your hand for a pig. You can eat a pig. A ring you can only wear.’

I looked around at all the people, singing, dancing, drinking and eating. I couldn’t see Xena anywhere. I put the shiny things into my pocket and felt a bit stupid for having offered them in the first place.

‘I think I’ve upset Xena. Sorry … Lauren,’ I said.

‘Ah, she told me about your … falling-out. Don’t worry. That girl is quick to take offence but she’s quicker to forgive and forget. She’s got a heart of gold, though she’d punch you in the face if you suggested it.’

‘She was so angry when I said she’d murdered that pig.’

‘You touched a raw nerve, that’s all. Her twin brother died because no one could find the simplest of antibiotics, her parents were murdered in a senseless street attack, her aunt …’ Nonna sighed. ‘She’s seen enough tragedy, that kid, to last a lifetime.’

‘Her brother died because all the antibiotics were reserved for my family and people like my family.’ I sighed. ‘I don’t know how she can forgive us. I don’t know why she doesn’t hate us.’

‘I told you,’ said Nonna. ‘There’s no profit in it.’

‘But there’s no loss in it either, sometimes.’ The voice came from behind me and it made both Nonna and me jump. I glanced over my shoulder, but the man was already moving around to sit on the bench opposite. His eyes bored into mine and they were hard as stone.

‘Micah …’ said Nonna.

The man held up a hand but didn’t take his eyes off me.