But the bitterness in her voice was like a seam of hard metal through rock. ‘One day, not long after your dad packed you off to the country for the summer, I snuck out of the Community. I always wanted to go to the cinema. Remember?’ Her pale lips rose in a genuine smile. ‘Remember how I dreamed of being an actress? Anyway, I was in East Finchley, buying toffees from one of those pick-and-mix stals and this two-year-old kid came by with his mum. Started crying cos he wanted sweets and she couldn’t afford any. Fel on the pavement, kicking, screaming, thumping his hands. Just a tantrum. But the Psych Watch turned up. The mother began to panic. Soon she was turned up. The mother began to panic. Soon she was kicking and screaming too. Some big bloke arm locked her. A guy in a white coat stuck her with a needle. I couldn’t just stand there and watch—’ Tamsin broke off. In the dim light Ana saw tears in her friend’s eyes. ‘Been 311here ever since. No word from my family . .
