We meet Mercy in the womb, moments before her premature birth. Not particularly enamoured of this disruption and now stuck in the outside world, she stretches and contracts her figurative umbilical connection, twanging messages along the cord to her mum. The first year she’s in hospital with New Monya (pneumonia), soaking up the world like a sponge, while perfectly enunciating petroleum jelly and Mississippi, before she’s even taken a step.

From a uniquely perceptive child’s eye view, Mercy searches through eleven years of childhood for where she fits, encompassing family, school, books and frequent retreats to ancient Athens, Rome and Troy. Her refuge is the library and her only friend, her Dolly, agrees with Mercy about everything. Barely acknowledged by her abusive dad, except when he slaps her (or worse), it’s her job to offer protection to her mum from Daddy’s assaults. Time and again, Mercy sees Mummy’s resolve collapse. Mercy does not understand Big People at all!

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