This prose collection first published in Great Britain in 1999 by Carcanet Press Limited 4th Floor, Conavon Court 12–16 Blackfriars Street Manchester M3 5BQ Texts copyright © 1999 Janice Biala Introduction and editorial matter copyright © 1999 Max Saunders The right of Max Saunders to be identified as the editor of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. All rights reserved. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 1 85754 396 3 The publisher acknowledges financial assistance from the Arts Council of England Set in 11/12pt Bembo by XL Publishing Services, Tiverton Printed and bound in England by SRP Ltd, Exeter