Every time was varied in some way. Never the same as the last. Patterns remained the same daily and over decades it was difficult to detect the routine changing. Wake up, play with cereal or toast, listen to the same lesson heard a hundred times or more previously, pretend to eat lunch, more lessons, fake enthusiasm for the evening meal, go out and eat, argue, bed, sneak out and walk the streets, come back and 'sleep'. The cycle would begin again, as every morning. Not this one. A knock on the door brought news from a social worker.

'Good morning, Anna.' She smiled. Anna did not return the gesture. 'You know why I'm here, I take it?'

'Because no tutor can deal with me on homebound anymore.'

'It isn't only that, Anna.' She gave her a reprimanding look. 'Head office believes that it would be to your benefit to be at a school with people your age.'

'So no homebound teacher has to deal with me.'

'No, so you can mingle and make friends! You'd like people to go to college with, wouldn't you?'

'I'm not going to college.'

'Oh Anna, stop this nonsense! Get your coat on, come on, we're going to be late.'

Anna knew when she was defeated so reluctantly got her coat and boots on, ignoring her foster carer, Hope Jacobs', calling of goodbye and good luck. The car windows were steamy, Anna recalled the streets as she sped through them, how they had once been filled with rats and peasants, but were now harbouring dog walkers and business people. How things change.

'The church's gone.' Anna mused out loud and instantly regretted it, for her social worker had turned to look at her quizzically.

'Church?'

'Yes…there, a church was…oh never mind.'

'When has there been a church here, Anna?'

'Never mind.'

They sat in silence; the tension would need a knife to slice through it – or a razor. A sharp, curved bladed razor, glittering in the moonlight with crimson life so freshly extinguished running down its surface, following its figure.

'Here we go.' The car stopped. 'Anna?' She was lost in a daydream, her eyes wide and staring. 'Out you get now.'

'Hm?'

'Get out the car, we're here.'

'Oh.'

Together they walked up the steps to the reception.

'Greta Banks, Social Worker, and my charge here is about to start at this school today.'

'Alright, then.' The receptionist smiled. Another fake smile. 'What's your name, then?'

Traditionally, the phrase 'what's your name, then?' would generally be followed by the endearment 'dear' – not so anymore.

'Name?' She was still smiling, what Anna wouldn't have given to widen that smile. A razor would do it.

'That'll teach you to be so fake!'

'Anna…tell Ms McCathen your name.' There was warning in the tone, but Anna decided to let it slide.

'Anna.'

'Your full name?'

'Anna Lovett.'

'Sure, you're in class 11R4, your teacher is Mrs Harding, she'll introduce you to your class, okay?'

'I'll show you there, Anna.' Greta Banks grinned, 'And thank you.' She and Ms McCathen nodded to each other and Greta put her hand on Anna's back to lead her away. 'This'll be good, won't it?' Her voice was animated but forced. Greta knocked on the door. 'I have Anna here.'

'Do come in! Anna, let me get you sorted out.' Anna was ushered into the room and guided to a seat. She was the only one there besides Mrs Harding; Greta was already at the door.

'I'll drop by later, Anna, to see how you get on, alright?' She got no response, but, to give her due credit, she persevered, 'Have fun!'

'So, Anna, how are you feeling about school? This is a good school, very accommodating—' She prattled on, Anna was no longer listening, her keen hearing picked up someone in the hallway, a new scent. Young, vibrant. Female. Then footsteps, this reminded her of another time, she pushed the thought away and put her hand up to silence her teacher.

'Sh.' Anna kept still.

'What is it, Anna?' Mrs Harding tried to look round to see Anna's facial expression. The door creaked, a girl appeared. 'Good morning, Pearl!'

'Hey.' Another young girl with no idea of what life holds for her. She smiled in a typical awkward teenage way. It had been a long time since Anna has possessed such a smile.

'Now, Anna, sit down, Pearl is early, students don't arrive until nine o'clock usually. I'll leave you for a moment to get you a school planner and a pack containing the term dates for this year.' A smile as she left. Some things never change. Same as ever, cheap and cheerful. Like Mum's shop. Anna smiled, there were some nice memories.

'Hi.' Anna spun round in her chair, a look of shock rippled across the other girl's face.

'Not used to seeing people move so fast.' Anna realized she'd have to watch her back from now on.

'Hello.'

'I'm Pearl Aaron.' Closer she came, to sit opposite Anna. There was a pause. 'What's your name?'

'Anna.'

'Anna who?'

'Lovett. Anna Lovett.'

'That's a nice name. Kind of familiar.' Then, 'How old are you?'

'Sixteen. I suppose.'

'Same as me. What do you mean you "suppose"?'

Anna shrugged.

'When's your birthday?'

Another shrug.

'You don't know your birthday? Do you not celebrate or get given presents?'

Shake of the head.

'Wow.'

'Time to change the topic…' Anna struggled for something to say. 'What are the people like here? Teacher just told me they're nice.'

'Oh, urm…' Pearl looked away uncertainly, then Anna realized that she wasn't blinking and was probably making the poor girl feel scrutinized. She detected a certain coolness to Pearl when other students had been mentioned.

'Not so nice then?'

'Well, no, that's one way to put it. They don't like difference you see.'

'Ah. To use the common phrase, I'm screwed!'

'Right. Won't like me much, then!'

'Well, you sure are different.'

'What?' Anna stopped looking at the posters on the wall. 'How do you mean?'

'There's something about you. I don't know what but you seem…different, unusual. Older, somehow.'

'You getting on, girls?' Mrs Harding smiled as she handed Anna her things but Anna wasn't paying attention to her, her eyes were still on Pearl who was playing with a loose thread on her jeans.

Anna remembered to blink.