Summary

Eleven-year-old Gopi is on the squash court at the Western Lane fitness center with her father. They have been practicing squash for hours and she is exhausted, yet they go on. In the next court over, she hears 13-year-old Ged playing by himself, and the rhythm with which he hits the balls soothes her. Gopi and her father resume playing.

Gopi lives with her two sisters, Mona (age 15) and Khush (age 13). The three live alone with their father in London, as their mother, Charu, has just died. They used to play badminton and squash twice a week, recreationally, while their mother was still alive, but since her passing, their father has made the girls practice squash every day and has intensified their training.

The family drives to Edinburgh to have dinner with Uncle Pavan, their father's younger brother, and his wife, Aunt...