"I don't know how old I am. There's no birthday, no Christmas. I asked once, and Azelma cried and cried, but it were my arse that ended up the sorer for it." She shakes her head. "I tried to keep track at first but..." she shrugs. "I don't even remember when it is now, you know?"

She nibbles the cookie and lets the crumbs melt on her tongue.

"I were born in Montfermiel, Nadine. But when we lost the inn my Pa had, we were to Paris. You know it? I have lived all over Paris."