No spoilers
Who’s who
The people in the book, as you meet them in the first few weeks, drawn the way a child would draw them. Nothing here gives away what happens.
At work
Maisie MacDonald. Twenty-five. Newly qualified. Owns a psychology degree she has mostly forgotten and a cardigan she spent twenty minutes choosing. Lives in a flat with a bakery downstairs. Believes she can save everyone, which is the first thing the job takes off you.
Ray Campbell. Her mentor. Thirty years in. Carries a brown leather notebook with soft corners and makes tea as a form of supervision. Says very little, and means all of it. “Don’t look so terrified. Nobody lets you make big mistakes without me at your shoulder.”
Heather Edwards. Assistant Team Manager. Blonde bob, perfect eyeliner, a stack of files carried under one arm like disciplined ducklings. Calls Maisie “MacDonald”. Is harsh, and is right, which is worse.
Mei. Started two months before Maisie, so is practically a veteran. Silk scarf. Knows where the good biscuits are hidden and which toilets have the best acoustics for crying.
Ian Chambers. The boss. Does the welcome talk. Tidy office, many plants, a great deal of enthusiasm.
At home
Mr Whiskers. One-eyed tabby tyrant and Maisie’s longest male relationship. Judges her. Is usually right.
Jo. Best friend. Calls her Maze. Gives excellent advice by text, none of which is taken. “It’s a cardigan, Maze. Not a personality test.”
Chloe. Younger sister. Lives in London. Has a gym membership she uses.
Mum. Says “nothing to worry about” in the voice that means the opposite.
Dad. Quiet. Grows leeks. Gives advice without noticing he is doing it.
The children, and the people who love them
Billy. Nine. Sits near doors and counts the exits. Carries a small red toy car everywhere he goes. The car has a name.
Elaine Okafor. Billy’s foster carer. Her house smells of plantain and clean laundry. She makes good toast and she doesn’t shout, which Billy has noticed.
Hana. Fifteen. Very quiet. Draws doors.
Jade. Eighteen, with a four-month-old called Riley and a file of her own that goes back to when she was eight. Prickly. Funny. Watching everything.
Leon. A father with a history, in a contact centre, on a plastic chair, with a McDonald’s he has brought for two children who may not eat it. On time, every time.
The two men, and a dog
Jamie Adeyemi. Barrister. Family law. Meets Maisie when she is lost in a corridor and gives her directions. “Oh, I like you.”
Ben Hartley. Paramedic. Lives a few streets over. Once spent twenty minutes telling her about the best chips in Coventry. Spends his days off at the dog shelter, and comes back with paw prints on his sleeve.
Doris. One of the dogs. Three legs and trust issues.