Emee answers before I can say anything. “Yes, I’m a Travester,” she says in a voice that is neither apologetic nor arrogant, but simply stating a fact. Apart from Marta Gayer, Emee is the only other Travester to have been in our building in years.

“Well,” my mother huffs. Her hands, holding the stocking and needles, are still. “That’s a surprise.”

“I hope,” murmurs Emee, “you’ll still want to teach me how to knit.”

Holding my breath, I wonder what Ma’s going to say. She doesn’t hate Travesters, like some of us, though she has plenty of reason to, but this is still a test. It could go either way.

“Why not?” says Ma, as if to herself. She straightens her spine and turns her body in my direction. “Any friend of Leho’s is a friend of mine,” she says firmly.

Emee grins and it’s like the sun has come out. “Thank you!”

Ma reaches out for Emee and clasps her wrist. “Come back soon, Emee, and we’ll get started. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired …”

As we make our way out of the building, Emee is silent, deep in thought. I’m skittish as a rabbit, wanting her to say something, anything, so I can hear what she’s thinking, afraid she’ll not want to see me again now she’s found out what we’re like. It’s not until we’re at the street door that Emee turns to say goodbye and looks at me properly.

“You’re lucky to have a mother,” she says softly.

Then she’s heading off in her usual abrupt way, yet I don’t want to let her go so soon.

“Wait up,” I call, and jog to fall into step beside her. “Let me show you around while you’re here.”

She raises her pale eyebrows at me. “I should really get back.”

“Come on, another hour won’t hurt.”

Her face breaks into a smile and I take her hand. “I’ll show you where I like to go fishing, and maybe we’ll go and visit my friend Bit, and there’s a place we can get some honey cakes …” I’ve got a couple of coins jangling in my pocket and the world’s mine for the taking.

“Let’s get honey cakes.” She laughs. “I’m not so keen on fishing.”

We head to Market Square, and I’m proud to be walking hand in hand with a Travester girl, though we get a few odd looks, including from my friend Pippa who gives me the evil eye as she swishes past us going in the opposite direction.