I’m still admiring Fiona when I hear buzzing and look up. There are lots of black dots in the sky in formation like birds. When a bird formation moves around like a snake it’s called a murmuration. I learnt that in science. I like the feel of the word murmuration in my mouth, even though I’m not speaking out loud. It could be birds, but maybe it’s giant bees. It SOUNDS like bees.

Now everyone’s looking up. Big Ben’s mouth is a capital O. Some of the black dots have formed a murmuration of their own and they’re heading for the centre. They’re not birds, or bees. They’re PEOPLE!

A light-skinned black girl with a huge ginger afro lands first. When her feet hit the ground, she runs fast for about 40 metres. Maybe she’ll do sprint training with me. She’s wearing a jacket with a shell on the back that makes her look like a giant insect. I recognise her from the photo: Ama, my mentor for the week. She waves over at us. She’s followed by three other teenage girls and two boys who run 50 metres after they land. Yusuf and Martin. The E-College-E pupils must have flown with the Music, Maths and Movement School because they’re all from 2048. One of the girls rushes over to the car with her mouth open. It’s Seren. She must like cars as much as Big Ben! Season lets her sit inside as Ama comes over to me.

‘Wreckage!’ she says, looking at Fiona. Mrs C Eckler said in 2048 if something’s perfect you say wreckage. So Ama must love the Ferrari.

‘I’m Ama,’ she says and holds out her hand.

‘I’m Elle,’ I say. ‘How fast can you run the 100 metres?’ I’m surprised that I’m talking to her without feeling scared. After all, I never met her in my life. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with her hand, so I ignore it. She shrugs.

‘Ama means born on Saturday.’

‘And it’s a palindrome.’ I smile. ‘Is it your birthday today?’

‘No,’ she says. ‘I’m not a Leapling, but my brother was.’ She suddenly looks sad. ‘Catch you later.’

She walks quickly to the main entrance. Two of the 2048 teachers, a fat man and a woman with purple hair, help the pupils take off their insect jackets, which are called eco-jets, and we all go inside. It’s 8:55 a.m. The introductory session is about to begin and we must be on time. This is the Time Squad Centre after all!