Mrs C Eckler is lying. No one gave me permission to stay off school, but I’m still not talking so I don’t say anything. Grandma doesn’t understand bullying. At the age of 12, she had left school and was looking after her younger brothers and sisters in the village in Nigeria. But she always wished she’d studied longer so she could read and write. She worships teachers almost as much as God. If Mrs C Eckler says I can stay at home, then Grandma is happy. She smiles from her bed.

‘Elle, make this your teacher a cup of tea.’

I go to the kitchen to boil the kettle but can hear everything Mrs C Eckler is saying, how all the speeches were recorded so they have the bullying on record, how the bully has been excluded for a week, how she’s going to put me on a special support programme after the school trip. AFTER the trip. So I’m still allowed to go. I’m happy until I remember I don’t want to go because the Predictive means someone’s in danger and I have to save them and I don’t know how. But at the same time I want to go because I’ve been looking forward to this trip for weeks. I pour the boiling water into the mug and add the evaporated milk and one sugar. That’s how I like it.

When I go back into the bedroom, Mrs C Eckler sips the tea and makes a face like it’s too hot. But I added loads of milk, so it can’t be.

‘Elle, are you happy about going on the Leap 2048 trip?’

I lower my eyes. I can’t lie. But I can’t tell Mrs C Eckler about the Predictive. Now that I’m not excluded, and I’m allowed to go, I really don’t want to. I’m scared. I shake my head. Grandma addresses Mrs C Eckler.

‘She refuses to talk. What for? Even last night she could not say Amen after evening prayer. What evil spirit is possessing her?’ She kisses her teeth.

Mrs C Eckler is facing Grandma but she says, ‘Elle, I think you’re not talking because the bully has threatened you. But don’t worry. They will be punished.’

I smile. Mrs C Eckler is kind but she doesn’t understand the real reason I’m not talking. It wasn’t the bullying; it was the bullying plus the text message. Events were one on top of the other, like words that are impossible to read. I can’t tell her.

She continues, still looking at Grandma because she knows I don’t like it when people stare at me, ‘But Leap 2048 is special and you are my star pupil. It’s the chance of a lifetime. There will never be another opportunity to make that leap.’

She says the next bit to Grandma.