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distant tiled roofs, gardens, roads.
‘Look, Kyla,’ Amy says. ‘You can see the whole village from here. That is our place. See? Second from left.’ She points and I see the tiled roof and brick walls of our house.
There is a log and we sit on it. Jazz wraps his arms around Amy from behind, with a resigned look on his face. l get the feeling they usually come here alone.
She prods him in the ribs with her elbow.
‘So, Kyla. How are you getting along with the Dragon?’ he says.
‘The Dragon?’
‘He means Mum,’ Amy says.
‘Uh…’
‘Say no more! I understand “Uh”. It means you have noticed she is not a sainted mother figure as advertised, but actually a fire breathing mythical green beast.’
I giggle.
‘That’s not fair,’ Amy says. ‘Mum’s not that bad, you have to get to know her. I used to be scared of her, and then all at once, she was all right.’
‘You know the weird thing to me is how you both straight away call her “Mum”,’ Jazz says.
‘Why is that weird?’ I ask.
‘Well you just met her, didn’t you?’
Amy shakes her head. ‘That doesn’t matter. It is what you are told at hospital, right from the beginning. That your mum and dad are coming to take you home.’
‘A pre-fab kid,’ Jazz says, then ducks when Amy twists to smack him.
‘So we’re different to everybody else,’ I say.
‘Unique,’ Amy says.
‘My special girl,’ Jazz says, and kisses her cheek.
‘There are just two of us in this village,’ Amy says. ‘That is why I’m so happy you came. I’m not the only one any more. There are a dozen or so of us at our school, though; from all over the place.’
With a look at his watch and a curse, Jazz disappears at speed down the path the way we came.
‘His parents have a farm; some days he has to help after school. We’ll walk back the long way,’ Amy says, and we set off in the other direction. ‘Seriously: how did you get on with Mum today?’
I shrug. ‘I don’t think she even likes me. Why take me if she doesn’t want me?’
‘Oh, but she does. She doesn’t show it very well. It’s complicated.’
‘Simple is hard enough. Who needs complicated?’
‘Don’t worry about it now. One thing, though. Sometimes Mum doesn’t hear things, unless you say them. Don’t be afraid to tell her what you are thinking.’
The path steepens and Amy slips in front; I have to concentrate on my feet again as we descend. I think about what she said about Mum: the Dragon, Jazz called her.
‘Is Jazz your boyfriend?’
‘Yes. Don’t tell Mum. She doesn’t like him.’
Jazz: he sang to me. Sweet sixteen and never been kissed. Or, have I? If I can’t remember, does it count?
‘I was told very sternly at hospital to avoid boys at all costs. Mess up your levels.’
‘Oh, they do that!’ Amy laughs. ‘Probably best to leave them alone for a while. The secret, though, is to start with one you’re not that bothered about.’
What is the point in that?

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
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‘Where’ve you been?’ Mum is waiting in the door, arms crossed.
‘Told you: we went for a walk,’ Amy answers as we walk in, take off our shoes.
‘Those shoes are muddy. You didn’t go up the footpath on your own, did you? I’ve told you it’s not safe.’
‘No, of course not; we weren’t alone,’ Amy says, and with her back to Mum rolls her eyes.
‘Kyla? Is that true?’ Mum turns to me with a full dragon glare.
‘Yes,’ I say. And it was: Jazz went up with us. He didn’t come back with us, but that isn’t what she asked.
‘Listen to me, both of you. You know it isn’t safe for you on your own. You can’t protect yourselves.’
Amy nods and I remember lessons on personal safety at the hospital. It is part of being Slated. You can’t defend yourself any more than you can attack someone, so you have to be extra careful.
But what is up the footpath, but trees and more trees?
‘You’ve been ages. I was worried. And you’ve almost missed Dad,’ Mum says, and I notice she is