‘You really have a way with stories, Lottie. I can’t wait to see what you’ll offer the world after we finish school.’

Lottie spluttered out a shocked laugh, her cheeks going pink as a rose at the compliment. ‘You’re the one who’s going to do all the amazing things when school ends.’

Binah looked away now, turning to a blank page in her notebook where she drew a few question marks around the word ‘Bambi’. ‘Actually Ollie and I are thinking of travelling across East Africa and South America after school ends, to visit my cousins in Kenya and his grandparents in Brazil, see the Big Five, walk the Inca Trail. We’ve already started planning.’

Lottie’s head shot up. ‘You and Ollie, as in my Ollie?’

‘Well, yes. I’ve been exchanging letters with him ever since the summer.’

So, not my Ollie any more, Lottie thought, and it felt like part of her was coming loose, the image she had of her life sliding a little further out of view.

‘You’re taking a year off?’ she asked quickly, trying to expel the unpleasant thought from her mind. ‘I thought you were heading to Oxford to study law. Aren’t they weird about gap years?’

Binah shrugged. ‘I’ve spent the last fourteen years being the perfect student and perfect daughter. I’m the poster child of queer Black girls; I get the best grades, excel in all sports and clubs, not to mention my prefect duties. I need a break.’

‘But it comes so naturally to you. I thought you had a whole plan?’ Lottie felt the words tumble out of her, unable to understand why the idea of people changing their original path was so distressing.

‘I suppose –’ Binah sighed, giving Lottie a sideways glance – ‘but I realized I’d like some time for me, where I don’t need to think about being a perfect role model, where I can just go wild. So, before I throw myself into saving the world, I want to explore it a little.’

Lottie mulled this over, feeling embarrassed that she was floundering while Binah had such a clear idea of her own identity and what she wanted.

‘The truth is, the more I think about it, the more I realize,’ continued Binah, ‘that I think perhaps what I actually want to do is go to King’s College to study physics or astrophysics. You know, something to do with space and the universe, where we’re all working together – not a subject where we’re competing with each other.’ An excited grin erupted on Binah’s face, a plan forming while she brought the idea to life. ‘Maybe you could apply there too? They do a great English course.’

Lottie nearly choked on her laughter, as if Binah had made a very funny joke.

‘Don’t be silly, Lottie – you’d get into King’s easily.’