Read an Extract:

When I get out of the airport, I look around in wonder. I am on the other side of the world. I have never been so far from home. I could not get any further than this, unless I went into space.

The air is clear, and I take deep breaths. I am grateful to be off the plane, away from the hordes of strangers and the stale air. Nothing here looks particularly weird, but it feels odd. I am disconnected, disorientated. Two days ago I was in Spain. The day before that I was in France. It is confusing to be so far from everything that I know.

I look around for a taxi. I take the piece of paper out of my pocket, although I memorised her address long ago.

‘I need somewhere to stay in Ponsonby,’ I tell the driver.

He looks at me, and at my big rucksack. ‘A hotel?’ he asks. ‘A backpackers? There’s a backpackers in Ponsonby. Nice place, I’ve heard.’

I consider it for a moment. The days when I was too scared to stay in backpackers’ accommodation are long gone, I decide.

‘That would be perfect,’ I tell him. I get in, and settle back. I am smiling, showing Auckland that I want to belong. I am a European backpacker, and I happily stay in hostels.

I will find her. This time it will all be different.