Ken had a fresh cup from the water cooler, and he kept Charlie in suspense as he necked two red pills, a lilac triangle and a brown-and-red capsule.

‘I’m keeping big pharma profitable all by myself,’ Ken joked, seeming nicer than the ogre she’d imagined. ‘How are you finding Obama?’

‘OK,’ Charlie said. ‘My room is nice. And I’m sorry about what happened yesterday.’

‘You’ve certainly caused a ruckus. One of the reasons I’m late is that I’ve been taking calls from several parties about your case.’

‘Swallow Park?’ Charlie asked warily.

‘Amongst others,’ Ken explained. ‘I’m obliged to follow a set of rigid guidelines. The zero-tolerance policy for newly released offenders exists because we can’t create the impression that someone can get away with staying out after curfew once, or puffing a joint, or skipping a couple of lessons at school.

‘However, one of your friends pointed out that you are younger than most people released into an environment like this. I’m also supposed to evaluate any positive efforts you’ve made since your release.’

‘My friends?’ Charlie said curiously, thinking of Juno and Harry.

‘Steve Malbrouck at Makers Yard has known my wife for many years and he called me this morning,’ Ken explained. ‘Steve tells me that you’re a fine young person, and that the situation at Swallow Park was wholly unfair. I also had a conversation with Mango Kowalski-Clark at the Radical Cake Collective, saying that you’ve shown an interest in baking and that she’d like to offer you a part-time job.’

‘Oh,’ Charlie said, trying not to look as surprised as she felt.

‘Have you always been a baker?’ Ken asked.

‘I didn’t have much chance at White Boulder, but I’ve always loved it,’ Charlie lied.

‘I’m a bread maker,’ Ken said, smiling. ‘It never ceases to amaze me that water, flour and yeast can make something that tastes and smells so wonderful.’

‘I know.’ Charlie nodded, wary of saying too much and exposing the fact that the only things she’d ever baked were Ed’s frozen chicken bites.

‘So, with a community figure like Steve speaking highly of you and a job lined up to keep you out of mischief, I’m willing to overlook yesterday’s unfortunate incident at school.’

‘Thank you so much,’ Charlie beamed. ‘That’s awesome.’

‘But …’ Ken said firmly, resuming after a dramatic pause. ‘It will look bad on me if you mess up again, so expect zero sympathy next time around. I also want to know where you are at all times. That means strict 6 p.m. curfew, except for pre-approved adult-supervised activities. Do not go out without your cell phone fully charged because a dead battery is not an excuse, and do not travel more than two miles from here without getting my permission in advance. Is all of that acceptable?’

‘Very,’ Charlie agreed.