Epilogue
21 years later
“Mum, you don’t have to walk me all the way to school. It’s embarrassing,” I complained, checking around to make sure nobody saw me getting dropped off.
“I just want to make sure you get here safely, Dahlia,” Mum protested.
“Please, it’s a school. How unsafe can it be?”
She smiled at me, looking somewhat bemused. “You have no idea. Alright, off you go then on your first day. Isn’t this exciting?”
“Totally.”
“Did you bring enough clothes?”
“Yes, Mum. I have loads.”
“And your bedsheets?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course.”
“What about the nice pens you got from Aunt Ryoko and Aunt Ylva?”
“Mummm. I’ve got this. I’m eighteen, I’m not a child anymore!”
A soft smile played on Mum’s face as she nodded. “Of course. Eighteen is a good age. Well, go on then. Have lots
