Sarah Winman

Massimo surfaced. There’s a world out there, Alys, he said. Of people like us. Get out of this country and find them.

Whilst swimming in those crystal waters, a seed has been planted: she will leave home in two years’ time. She will go to art school. Live in London. She will love again many times. And each time will be as exhilarating as the last, and each person will be the one because she will love deeply and be loved deeply back. Her smile is wide because she senses something is germinating.