PS internet says sweet cravings are a girl.

He adds a scared-face emoji.

SAOIRSE

Very scientific. PS I’m telling Beth you used emojis to convey sexism.

“So what are you studying?” I ask Veronica, putting my phone on silent as we amble past more stalls. I’m not paying attention to the names of the clubs anymore.

“Drama,” she says with jazz hands.

“So you wanna be an actress or something?”

“There’s more to drama than acting,” she says, and it sounds like it isn’t the first time she’s had to give this speech. “Drama is stories and ritual and performance and theater. It’s a way of understanding the human experience.” Her eyes shine when she speaks and I am almost embarrassed by someone who has so much passion for something and isn’t afraid to show it. “And I want to be a director,” she adds sheepishly. “I have serious problems with authority. It’s either director or dictator.”

“Good to know.”

She looks me up and down.

“Photography?” She points to the camera slung around my neck.

“This is just for fun. I’m making an album. Memories, you know?” I hold my camera up, my expression asking if I can take one of her. She poses like a fifties pinup with one hand behind her head and one on a popped hip.

“What course are you on, then?” she asks.

“History.”

“So you want to read about people who died before you can even remember,” she teases, nudging me in the arm.

I take a moment to think about what it means to me so that the words come out right.

“History is who we are,” I say finally. “The past shapes us. Even the parts you can’t remember.”

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my family: Mum for listening to me say the same things over and over again, like only a mother could. Dad for telling me to write a book since I was about fourteen (I mean I want to make it clear, I didn’t do it because you told me to, but thanks anyway). Thanks to my brothers Rory, Conor, and Barry for existing; I bet you’ll tell people you have a sister now.

Thank you to Steph for everything, including, but not limited to, endless talksabouts, drying my tears, and making fun of me for being so dramatic.

To Darren for tech support, pun supplies, and keeping me alive; you’re alright, I guess.

To my editors, Stephanie Stein and Chloe Sackur, I have endless gratitude. Youse are wonderful and funny and this book would not be what it is without all your skill, insight, and dedication.

Thank you to my agent, Alice Williams, who made my dreams comes true. Thank you to Allison Hellegers for her hard work and Alexandra Devlin for hers. Apologies to each of you for my inability to use the reply all function.