The program is for adults, the letter said. One year, no obligation to finish, no obligation to explain yourself.

You read it four times before you packed.

The entrance hall is bigger than your whole flat was. A staircase goes up further than you can see from here.

Your leg tells you: not today. Your leg has been telling you that for a year now.

A woman on a bench at the far end looks up from a notebook.

AdaYou're the new one. Everyone's the new one in October.