Exciting times

When you leave Ireland to spend your parents' money, it is called a gap year. When Ava leaves Ireland to make her own money, she isn't sure what to call it, but it envolves:

• a badly paid job in Hong Kong, teaching grammar to rich children;
• Julian, who likes to spend money on Ava and lets her move into his guest room;
• Edith, who Ava meets while Julian is out of town and actually listens to her when she speaks;
• money, love, cynicism, unspoken feelings and unlikely connections.

Exciting times ensue.