Vanget
At dawn on Wednesday 1 September 1993, to the west of Nice's old town, the gate leading out of the children's home closed gently.
It was surprising; either it was faulty, or it would usually slam shut with a loud bang, like the enormous locks on the cages of animals that had become ferocious from being caged up. To her, this unexpected gentleness felt like a hand reaching up towards the sky to help a fledgling take its first flight, having fallen from the nest too soon.
On the deserted pavement, Tina set her small suitcase down in front of her, placing it across the ground. Beyond that line lay a new beginning...
(The digital version will be free on all Amazon websites from Monday 24 August 2026 to Friday 28 August 2026.) (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFP8ZLDL)