‘Sounds awesome,’ Charlie said, enjoying the story, though it made her feel worse about being kicked out of Maker’s Yard. ‘So is Junior your first?’

‘I’ve got a boy and a girl, three and five,’ Mango explained. ‘And, as a matter of fact …’

‘Order seventy-three,’ a guy behind the counter shouted.

Charlie felt edgy as she walked to the counter and grabbed the illicitly ordered smoothies. Mango kept talking as Charlie dug in a straw and sucked her first mouthful of Almond Sunset.

‘I’ll need time off when the baby comes,’ Mango said thoughtfully. ‘We could probably use someone like you, if you’re looking to earn some cash.’

‘Baking cakes?’

‘We’re not exactly the Sara Lee Corporation,’ Mango said. ‘Everyone does a bit of everything.’

‘I could certainly do with some extra cash,’ Charlie said, but then her voice dropped. ‘But I got suspended from school, three days in. I might be back at White Boulder this time tomorrow.’

‘Harsh,’ Mango said, between sips of juice. ‘How’s Almond Sunset?’

‘Quite gritty,’ Charlie said. ‘Nice, though.’

‘Tell you what, Charlie, how about I give you my cell number? If things do go your way tomorrow, we could find you a part-time job …’

‘That’s kind,’ Charlie said as she pulled out her phone to take the number. ‘I guess you never know …’

Mango’s offer reminded Charlie that there were decent people in the world, and she felt less desperate on the Uber ride back to OIL. A pint of Almond Sunset had worked through by the time she reached the automatic door and she dashed for her room.

‘Hey!’ the woman behind reception shouted, leaping from her seat. ‘Croker, get back here!’

‘Sorry, I’m busting,’ Charlie said, assuming she was going to get told off for not using the anti-virus gel.

‘Ken Kleinberg was looking for you,’ the woman said, from behind her desk.

‘Who’s that?’ Charlie asked, slathering her hands in gel from the dispenser.

‘Your support worker,’ the woman explained, peering over her glasses as if Charlie was a fool. ‘He’s been getting it in the ear from some lawyer up at Swallow Park. You’re supposed to register your cell number with your support worker before going out after 5 p.m. And you can’t join non-school groups or organisations without his permission.’

‘How was I supposed to know that?’ Charlie said, as the woman peeled a sticky note off the frame of her monitor. ‘Ken was off sick when I arrived. Should I call him now?’

‘Ken said you’re confined to this building until he’s seen you. And I wouldn’t want to be in those grubby little sneakers when he does.’

26 LANA’S TINY FEET