between them, while the middle of the playground is empty.
‘There,’ says Gustaf, and points.
A crack has cut right through the middle of the playground. It’s not very wide, but it winds from the soccer field to the dead trees.
‘There’s a rumour going around that some old mining tunnels have collapsed,’ says Gustaf.
‘I can’t imagine they’d build a school on top of old mining tunnels,’ says Minoo. ‘Plus the mines were pretty far away from here.’
‘Maybe they did some test drilling around here back in the day,’ Rebecka suggests.
She casts a knowing glance at Minoo when Gustaf isn’t looking. Rebecka doesn’t believe that explanation either. But it’ll do for now. The crack must have had something to do with all the other stuff that happened during the night so they shouldn’t be encouraging questions.
The front doors to the school open and the principal strides out on to the steps. She stands there calmly as the chattering slowly dies away. When she speaks, each word she says is as clear as if she were using a microphone.
‘You must all leave the playground. The school will be closed while the crack is investigated.’
Scattered cheers and applause. Minoo looks around. Rebecka and Gustaf are standing in front of her. Vanessa is by the goalposts with Evelina and Michelle. Ida is sitting on the balustrade beside the front steps with Felicia. Oddly, Anna-Karin is next to them, talking to Julia.
Max is with a few of the other teachers. He’s got his jacket over one arm, his briefcase in his hand, and looks incredibly hot. Behind him she can just see Nicolaus. We’re all chess pieces on a board, Minoo thinks, set up for a decisive match.
‘The fire brigade has been here to inspect the gas and water pipes, but they want to carry out further checks,’ the principal continues. ‘Tomorrow we’ll make up the work we miss today.’
She goes back inside the school. The playground empties.
‘See you tomorrow then,’ Rebecka says, and smiles at Minoo.
‘See you Minoo,’ Gustaf says.
They walk off entwined in each other’s arms. Minoo looks after them for a moment, then turns towards the school again. She gazes at the drab building – the rows of identical windows, the bland brickwork – and tries to picture it as a place of evil. But it’s difficult. It’s not a place she likes, but she knows who she is here and what she’s good at.
In the rest of the world she has no idea.
II
13
AS SHE RUNS down the steps to the cafeteria, it’s as if her entire body is carried forward in one fluid movement. She doesn’t need to look where she’s putting her feet. The fear of tripping is gone, as if it never existed.
The lunch queue winds out into the stairwell. The girls standing at the back turn, see her and break into fawning smiles that spread like a wave as she passes. Several of the boys look away sheepishly when their eyes meet. She knows they’re infatuated.
She continues all the way up to Kevin Månsson and Robin Zetterqvist, who are standing by the cutlery and plates. She notices that Erik Forslund isn’t with them. He’s barely been seen at school since he wet himself in the playground.
‘Here.’ Kevin hands her his tray and lets her go ahead of him.
She doesn’t answer, simply takes the tray and serves herself.
It’s so different now, living in her body. She feels at home in it. She has control of it. She’s sure-footed. Her back is straight. Her ponytail bobs with every step she takes. Her entire being feels light, free and natural. She’s happy.
‘You’re looking so hot today!’ Felicia says, when she comes up to their table.
They’re sitting in a side-room just off the main seating area – a sort of appendix with no windows and just enough space for six tables. According to the unwritten law, this is where the popular crowd sits.
‘Thanks,’ she says, and sits down.
Both Felicia and Julia look at her expectantly. They’re like a couple of eager puppies hopping around their master’s feet. If Felicia and Julia had tails, they would definitely be wagging them.
‘Felicia and I were just saying it feels like we’ve been friends with you for years,’ Julia says.
‘Yeah, I can’t believe it’s only been a few weeks,’ Felicia says.
Anna-Karin smiles. ‘Nor me.’
Kevin and Robin are walking towards them; they have always been considered the coolest and funniest boys in their class, perhaps even in the whole school. Anna-Karin wonders who decided that. When had everyone got