Chapter 26
Hana left home earlier and braved the bus service from Flagstaff to work. The Orbiter to Maui Street heaved with students from different schools and workers from the outer suburbs, mixing and mingling in a haze of muffled iPod music. Other commuters stood in the aisles, but a Year 13 from school recognised Hana and offered his seat. “Thanks, love. That’s kind of you.” She sank onto the tatty bench, avoiding a large rip in the seat material. Her high heels proved ineffective against the slippery, metallic bus floor and she experienced a wave of relief at not having to jerk and sway in the aisle with the other bodies.
The elderly gentleman next to the window leaned against her every time the bus took a corner, his breath smelling of tobacco and old cheese. After the eighth time,
