Interesting, I think, that she mentions Minnow rather than Longsight. I have often wondered about them – they seem so different and yet both have fought for the same thing for so long.

“How well do you know Jack Minnow?” I ask, and Mel takes a while to answer.

“I’ve known him since I was a small child – from when I started being mentored for my calling; he had just begun work with the government. A school leaver mentorship, I suppose. He’s maybe ten years older than me. He was the brooding guy I liked when I was thirteen.”

I can’t help but laugh – it’s hard to imagine her as a teenager with a crush.

“But we only met properly when I was instated as storyteller after my mentor died. He’s always been quite reserved, you know? Of course, our paths cross all the time now.”

“You don’t still like him … like that?” I ask, horrified.

“Your face!” Mel laughs at me. “But no. I don’t get to have romantic relationships or marry. One of the rules.”

“Is that lonely?” I ask. “I don’t think I would like to be told whether or not I could fall in love.”

“Ah, there are no rules about falling in love.” Mel’s face has a distracted, faraway look. “And love doesn’t always look the way you expect it.”

“Did you know that Jack Minnow visits the hall of remembrance every night?” I ask, but Mel doesn’t reply. “I followed him.” This at least gets a reaction – a raised eyebrow and an amused smile.

“You really ought to respect other people’s mourning,” Mel tells me, ever the good mentor.

“Anyway, he was saying someone’s name over and over again, and for some reason I know it was someone who wasn’t supposed to be remembered. A forgotten.”

“Davey Minnow?” asks Mel immediately and I stare at her.

“Davey Minnow,” I reply. “Family, obviously?” She says nothing. “Why was he forgotten?”

She smiles at me. “You want me to tell you everything?”

“That would be nice,” I say. “It would certainly make it easier than me trying to subtly lead the conversation that way.”

“You are not subtle, Leora. You have many great gifts, but subtlety? No. Even without the ability to read marks, it’s not too hard to read your face.”

“Well, we can’t all be mysterious, Mel.” I laugh.

“OK. So, Davey Minnow was one of the crows.”

My head snaps to look at Mel – she’s not joking.

“He was an important member of the group, as far as I can gather. One of the original leaders.”

“This… I wasn’t expecting you to tell me that. Why would a member of Minnow’s family have joined the crows?”