Le Temps leads our workshop group. He also looks bigger than in the video. Maybe they used a camera that zoomed out instead of in. Le Temps is a big, bald man who looks like he goes to the gym, even though he’s old.

‘So, Leapers,’ he says in his buttery voice, ‘I’d like you each to introduce yourself by name and say a little bit about its origins. All your names are special. GMT, begin please.’

‘I’m GMT,’ she says. ‘I named myself for Greenwich Mean Time, man, the world standard for clocks.’

‘Really?’ says Le Temps, rolling his eyes clockwise. ‘I thought it stood for Genetically Modified Teen.’

GMT narrows her eyes at Le Temps. It wasn’t a very good joke. I learnt about Greenwich Mean Time in PPF. It’s the normal time in the UK in the winter and spring. Then the government make the clocks go forward for an hour in British Summertime, which messes up my head. All other countries are either hours ahead (+) or hours behind (-) Greenwich Mean Time. Mexico City is six hours behind GMT. It’s a great name for a Leapling.

‘That’s why you wear two watches?’ Ama says.

‘Yeah, kinda. One for GMT,’ she holds up her left wrist with the blue leather strap, ‘and the other for whenever I’m at.’

I stare at the chunky metallic watch on her right wrist. It looks like something that hasn’t been invented yet. She sees me looking.

‘Solar-powered,’ she says. ‘In summertime. But when I’m looping, I batterise. Keeps track of the years.’

I have no idea what she’s talking about. Le Temps intervenes.

‘Looping is when you leap and stay there for some months or years. Loopers often have a favourite year they like to live in. They wear two watches, to keep track of the new time and the old. Ama, could you introduce yourself?’

‘Ama Atta Asante. Ama means born on Saturday in Akan. That’s Ghanaian. Everyone’s named after days of the week. Mum’s from Ghana, Dad’s from here. None of us Leaplings,’ she shrugs, ‘except my brother.’

Ama looks at her feet. Le Temps frowns.

‘Why did you come here, Ama?’

Silence. Why shouldn’t Ama come here? What an odd question. I find myself speaking before thinking.

‘Ama had to come to be my mentor because 2048 is her present but my future and I might find it difficult.’