I gave him a tablet and emptied the last drops of water from the Cleercan into the cup.

He swallowed it down. Rested his head back against the wall.

“I should’ve taught her better,” he said. “Should’ve made sure she didn’t trust people who can’t be trusted.”

Me. He was talking about me.

“Mr Opal, I told Mayor Anderson to leave Una alone. I told her she was a good person. I told her she wasn’t like other wanderers. I told her she should just go after…”

Shut up, Maggie. Just shut up.

“Just go after me?” He coughed. His face crunched up.

“You’re a wanderer,” I said. “You selfishly keep your own eldests close. You’re dangerous. And deceitful.”

“Is that you speaking, Maggie? Or is that your Mayor Anderson?”

“My brother’s gone to camp.”

“Camp?”

“I couldn’t be more proud,” I said. “He’s protecting us, protecting you. And I don’t want Una to go to camp any more than you do, she’s the best friend I ever had, but it’s right that she goes, just like it’s right that my brother’s gone. We all have to send our eldests, even—”

“What? What do you mean – Una going to camp?”

“The mayor’s taking her. And…” I took a breath. I had to say it. “Shame on you for not sending her before. Shame on you.”

“But there’s no such thing as camp.” Mr Opal squinted up at me. “Not any more.”

“Shame upon any who holds back an eldest.”

“Oh, just stop with your stupid parroting.” Mr Opal’s voice echoed off the barn walls and out into the forest. “Camp finished years ago. Where is your mayor taking my daughter?”

Deceitful.

Dangerous.

He patted the floor around him. “Where are my glasses? What in hell did you do with my glasses?”

I passed them over.

He held them up to his face and looked at me properly. “Now, you listen to me. I’m very sorry that your brother has gone wherever he’s gone, but you cannot let them take my daughter. You cannot let them do it.”

“Each one of them will fight for country and gl—”

“I told you, there is no camp!” His voice got even louder.

“You’re a liar!” I covered my ears, tried to make my voice as big as his.

“Look, look, I’m sorry, all right?” He held a calming hand forwards, softened his voice. “But camp doesn’t—” He fumbled with his glasses. “What I mean is … I’ve already sent my eldest to camp.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Una’s older brother went to camp, years ago. She’s not an eldest, so even if there was still a camp, she doesn’t belong there.”

“She never had a brother. You lied to her and you’re lying to me.”