13

You head to a space in the second row from the front where Maxie is already sitting, engrossed in conversation with the person next to them. You struggle to see over the head of the man in front of you, as his thick sandy hair blocks most of your view of the stage—but you manage to crane your neck enough to catch sight of the dark-haired woman in a wheelchair now taking her place at the center of the table.

"Here's Dina now," Zoe says, as the woman starts arranging a thick stack of papers. Even through a face full of someone else's hair, you can tell from Dina's expression that she is significantly preoccupied. "She's not usually one for a late start; the council must really have a lot on their plate."

As you watch Dina with growing interest, she looks up quite suddenly—and for a split second, she seems to look right at you.