It’s not that I don’t like boys; it’s just that I don’t really hang around them much. Walking out of the block of flats and onto the road with one seems very odd. Plus, with his long legs, he walks faster than me and I have to stride to keep up with him.

‘So?’ he says, like I should know what ‘so’ refers to.

‘Yeah?’

Walking makes me feel braver because I don’t have to face him. Perhaps Mum and I could take long walks around the neighbourhood and speak to each other this way.

‘What’s your story?’ he says slowly.

I laugh, but it comes out like a snort. I’m sure my face is blushing because my cheeks feel hot.

‘My story?’

‘Yeah. You know. Why are you here?’

I surprise myself by blurting out the truth for a change. ‘My house burnt down last year. The flat was all we could afford.’

‘Was it for insurance purposes?’

‘What?’

Now he laughs. ‘Joke. You know those stories about people burning down their houses because they want the insurance money.’

‘Oh. No. Mum left a candle burning and fell asleep.’

I’m sure my voice gives nothing away, but still he risks a quick glance across. But I refuse to look back.

‘That’s major,’ he says.

‘Yeah. It is.’

‘You want to know my story?’

I do. I really do. But I don’t like the way he’s dangling it like a carrot, so I say nothing, hoping he’ll fill in the silence.

‘Guess not.’

Now it’s my turn to look across, and I see his mouth flicker like he’s trying not to smile.

‘I’m a rooftopper.’

‘A what?’

He stops walking and turns to face me. I have to stop, too, because I don’t understand what he’s talking about.

‘I get inside buildings I’m not supposed to access and climb out onto their roofs.’

‘Why?’

‘Why not?’

‘Because it’s dangerous and illegal and sort of stupid. There’re three good reasons right there,’ I say, sounding like I might be his mum.

‘My parents would love you!’

‘Well, it does seem kind of dumb.’

I wait for him to answer, wondering if he expected me to be impressed.

When he finally says something, it surprises me. ‘Yeah, maybe it is.’

‘And why don’t you wear socks?’

He laughs and I glance up at him, but all I see is his hair hanging down as he lopes along. ‘I wanted to catch you before you left. Thought it would take too long to find some clean ones.’

‘Oh.’

‘Maggie’s a bit odd, isn’t she?’