Prologue

       She cycles the last part alone. She waves to her girlfriend and then turns to the road ahead. She sings softly to herself, her back straight, a carefree look in her eyes.

       School’s out. It’s Friday afternoon. The weekend can begin.

       She’s strapped her jacket onto the luggage rack behind her, over her black canvas school bag. She feels the heat of the sun on her bare arms.

       It’s a glorious day, the beginning of a promising summer. The blue sky extends like a high, radiant dome above her.

       At the traffic light, she brakes and dismounts. It’s a solitary light, a little outside of the city centre, where the bustle of school children on their bikes, mopeds and car traffic lessens.

       She’s completely alone. No cars or buses go by. She looks from left to right, frustrated at the pointlessness of waiting.

       A delivery van draws up behind her and stops, its engine throbbing.

       Green.

       The girl gets