There are bottles of poison in the shed. Boss sometimes leaves out poison for rats. There is poison for insects as well, which Boss dilutes with water to make a spray. But whether I use poison or a knife, I’ll have only the one chance. It has to be done right.

When I get to the boarded-up Cerel history museum, I stop to look up at the two stone statues on the roof of the building. Black Marks ransacked the interior long ago, but the statues are still intact. On one corner a woman in a long gown holds a set of scales. The other, also a woman, holds a sword. The two sides of justice, I reckon: the weighing of the verdict and the punishment.

Yep, it’s as simple as that. Carrying on, whistling a sad tune, I decide to find a way to get inside the Director’s house.

* * *

Very soon, the chance actually presents itself. I’d arrived at the garden to find Boss hunched over and squinting into the fragment of mirror on the wall, combing his wavy-thick hair. He straightens upon seeing me.

“Congratulate me, boy, it’s my birthday.”

“How old are you, Boss?”

The man waves his comb at me. “No cheek from you today, thanks.” He checks himself again in the mirror, licking a finger across one eyebrow. “Anyway, I’m off to my sister’s today, so you’ll be on your own.”

He pulls back his shoulders, and the old dark suit he’s wearing practically creaks. The gods know where he’s got it from, and I try not to laugh.

“There’s plenty for you to do,” Boss says, “so I’ll not have you slacking off just because I’m not here.”

I grin. “No, Boss.”

“I’ve made a list, see, of jobs you can get on with.” Boss passes me a grimy piece of paper torn out of a notebook and inscribed with pencil marks. It’s a long list and barely legible. “And remember – keep out of sight when the Director’s in the garden.”

“Yes, Boss.”

The man glances around, distracted, and shakes his head. “I shouldn’t leave you on your own,” he mutters, “but my sister makes a big fuss of me every year – I can’t not go. Besides, she’ll be making her famous lard dumplings and if I’m lucky there’ll be a piece of roast pork to go with it.” He brings his attention back to me. “She’s on the other side of the city, so I’ll be away for most of the day. Remember: I’ll be able to see plain enough what you’ve been doing when I get back, so no slacking.”

“You’ve told me that already.” I’m still grinning to see Boss in such a state.

“All right then,” he says, picking up a small sack that looks like it might contain potatoes.