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slightly.
    Monkey climbed up onto the bike house roof, took the knife from his pocket and, reaching through the rent in the metal, inserted it into the side of the window frame. He moved it carefully backwards and forwards until he felt the resistance of the catch, then gave a sharp flick of the knife and pushed the window inwards away from him. ‘OK, that’s the window open, now let’s work on the shutter. Come on,’ he whispered, beckoning Angel to climb up and follow him. ‘We need to push both sides together...’
    She shook her head. ‘No way! You said you wanted me to come with you to talk to Tragic. You didn’t mention the fact that he wasn’t here and we’d have to break into his house. Have you any idea what will happen if we’re caught?’
    â€˜Of course! Now, just come with me and I’ll explain it all later.’
    â€˜No!’ Angel stood her ground. ‘Actually, Mickey, I don’t think you do know what’ll happen to me. It’s fine for you - you’ll go off to The Farm for a while, then straight back to the Breeders’ Zone and carry on with your life as normal. Me? I’ll be sent to The Sanctuary, banned from uni, probably have to live in an artisan zone away from my family and friends. My children will be artisans too and they could even penalise Sal and confiscate her practice. Being caught breaking curfew’s one thing, but breaking and entering? Have you gone insane?’
    Monkey hovered uncomfortably. He hadn’t envisaged any protest when he’d asked her to come. He was beginning to wish he’d just done it on his own now. He’d thought it would be exciting when he’d suggested it, a way of getting to know her better; building a bond so that she’d remember him and choose him as her breeder when the time came. But now, it didn’t seem like such a good idea.
    â€˜What’s going on?’ a voice said from the other side of the bike house. Monkey turned quickly.
    â€˜It’s OK, Mov Bailey,’ Monkey reassured Tragic’s neighbour. He’d met her once some time ago when they’d kicked their ball into her sustenance patch. She really should have moved out to The Pastures but Jane kept an eye on her. Monkey doubted if she’d remember him, but he wasn’t going to risk it. ‘It’s me, Marlon Griffiths, Trevor’s friend, remember?’ he lied, looking down from his elevated position.
    â€˜No one’s home. They’ve gone,’ she said solemnly. ‘Young Trevor graduated a week early and Jane left last night, she did.’
    Monkey’s eyes flashed down at Angel. He frowned slightly, and moved his eyes towards the wall of the house, warning her to move round the corner and not give away the fact that she was there.
    â€˜Yes, I know,’ the lies flowed easily, ‘but I lent Trevor some of my things and he forgot to give them back before he graduated. I’ve just come to collect them.’
    â€˜Gone off to the rurals, she has,’ Mov Bailey continued in a forlorn voice. ‘Gave me her electrics - till the Assembly finds out...’ She looked up, terrified. ‘You’re not from The Assembly are you? You’ve not come to lock me away?’
    â€˜No, no, don’t worry about that. It’s me, Marlon, Trevor’s friend. Just come to collect some things I lent him.’
    â€˜Gone to stay with an aunt, Jane said, out in the rurals. But she’s never mentioned any aunts before. Just up and left she did, her and her sister. Piled everything into a couple of bags and off they went on their bikes. In the middle of the night! I was watching out of my window. Worried for them I was, what with the hoods and all, roaming the streets after curfew. Should’ve gone in the daylight if you ask me. You won’t tell about the electrics will you?’
    â€˜Of course not - as long as you don’t tell anyone I’ve