ALL THE ROADS in this part of town are bitumen, so Odette’s piece- of-shit Toyota does fine, even in the storm. She parks at the mouth of the cul-de-sac. It’s the only street in Elm Heads that’s on a hill, and the water is thick on the road, filling Odette’s shoes as soon as she climbs out of the car.

For years, Odette hated the rain. Hated being touched by any water, really; she wouldn’t shower for a week at a time. These days, she almost enjoys it again – getting drenched this way is freeing, like tearing something in half.