"Maggie Brodie thought she'd left teaching behind her. Retired twice, once with a dishonourable discharge, she's been drafted back for a day's cover at her local primary school. It's going to be a tough shift: a day of battles with her thirst for booze; with the soft soap headmaster; and lastly with Rosie. Rosie, six, is new. She is also from Somalia and does not speak." "To Maggie's surprise silent Rosie stirs something in her, something long forgotten, a connection that she can't quite get a grip on. The school have allowed 'community leaders' into Maggie's classroom who believe that her silence arises from witchcraft, and Maggie is forced to take action. Drastic action."--Jacket.