She had meant it when she had told Esther that she wished she could find in The Programme the fulfilment Esther appeared to have found. That did not mean she expected to do so. To the contrary, it was a reflection of her continuing sense of detachment from it. She felt a tingle, watching Phillipe spar with Matthew and Esther: it was nothing to do with her, but somehow he was; they were connected not so much by The Programme as by the detached relationship they each had with it.
“What are you saying? You’re saying there’s someone here, at Hammer Reach - someone who can’t be trusted, right? A traitor, a spy.”
Phillipe turned his substantial bulk to study Esther.
“You’ve changed more than your name, girl.”
“That’s not your business, Phillipe.”
“Esther.” Matthew did not want to alienate o
