At the end of the week, with my pay in my trouser pocket, tied up in a handkerchief for safety, I head for Trabant Street. My first real wage! I’m flushed with having coins in my pocket. In reality it’s only a few coins – yet it’s the most I’ve ever earned at one time. Nanna is going to be pleased, especially now we don’t have Marina’s income any more.

I climb up behind one of the lions, hoping that Emee will spot me and come out. A lantern is shining in the building behind me, but I take no notice. A curtain flutters in an attic window high in Emee’s house. Is that her? A pale face appears in the window and my heart beats faster. “Come on,” I murmur, “come down.”

Behind me, a door opens and a wizened old woman appears, wielding a broom.

“Get away,” she screeches, shoving the broom at me. “Vermin!”

With a laugh, I jump down the steps and skip along the street. The door slams behind me, so I go back, though not to the lions. Waiting, I lean against the stone wall of another building. Across the way Emee appears, holding the little dog. Chin in the air, she marches along her side of the street, while I follow on my side, jaunty with the satisfying weight of the coin bundle in my pocket.

She crosses the street – without even a glance in my direction – and enters the park. The light is fading and there’s nobody here. Emee sits down on a bench.

“You’ve got to stop hanging around,” she says severely. “My aunt has noticed. She thinks you’re planning on burglarising our house.”

“Is that even a word?” I joke. “And anyway, when was the last time a Cerel broke into a Travester house?”

“I don’t know,” she says peevishly, “but it could happen.”

“No, it couldn’t,” I retort, losing my good humour already. “Nobody’s going to risk getting caught. For what? A few trinkets?” I don’t count my own raids on the military barracks. Frowning at the darkening trees on the far side of the lawn, I realise she’s got under my skin in only a matter of seconds. I want her to like me. “You could tell the truth – that I’m your admirer.” I steal a glance at her smooth, pale face.

Emee huffs and releases her pet to scuttle on the ground at our feet. “Are you really my admirer?”

Just as well it’s getting dark so she can’t see my blush. “Sure I am,” I say gruffly.

She smiles, and smooths her dress over her knees. “You know, Leho, a real admirer shows his devotion by bringing something for his beloved. Have you brought me anything?”