Stories without borders.

Emilia was just 18. Unbeknown to her, her friends were organising a surprise for that very night. Emilia was an Aquarian, born on the 30th of January, very typical of her star sign: a fiercely independent soul and proud of it. At the age of five she had been, as her late father used to say, a proper little madam.

At 13 she was orphaned and raised by her grandfather Manuel, a retired BBC sound technician. Manuel had risen through the ranks and was quickly recognised for his talent and understanding of his craft.

Emilia inherited her grandfather's free spirit and innovative attitude. Since retiring, he was always tinkering with some electrical apparatus that had broken down. The highlight of Manuel's day came when his granddaughter arrived home from school, pulled up a chair and helped him put the latest gadget back together.

Manuel was her grandfather, father and mother all rolled into one. He was also her teacher, provider and best friend. Emilia looked forward to getting home to be with Pappy. She grew up quickly and matured even faster, always having adult conversations and discussions with him.

That evening Emilia had to get ready for her prom — or, as they used to call it, Leavers' Disco Night. She had been invited by her childhood friend Oscar, who lived next door. They had always been friends, no more than that. Occasionally they played basketball or walked their dogs together. Her grandfather was the first to call the event a date, making Emilia blush.

“Pappy, don't be silly. It's not a date; we're just friends. As you well know, we've been friends for a very long time,” Emilia corrected him, with a cheeky grin on her bright red face.

The doorbell rang at exactly 8 p.m. Emilia rushed down the stairs, still putting on her platform shoes. “Don't run down the stairs, Emilia. You're going to have an accident one of these days,” said Manuel. “No, Pappy, I won't,” she replied, jumping the last three steps in one leap.

Emilia opened the door to Oscar. “Quick, let's go before my Pappy gives you your orders.” As she was about to close the door, her grandfather called, “Oscar, I want my granddaughter home by 12 o'clock and not a minute later! And Emilia, don't bang the door.”

“I will, Mr Rossi, I promise,” Oscar replied — just as Emilia slammed the door shut.

At the school assembly hall their friends surrounded them with updates about who was there and who had arrived with whom. The music started and they dashed onto the dance floor.

The evening was interrupted when Billy, one of the school bully types, tried to drag Emilia away from her friends. Big mistake. Emilia never did anything she did not want to do.

In one move she anchored herself, pulled Billy towards her, twisted his arm behind his back and sent him careering forward, flat on his face in the middle of the dance floor. The other students scattered, then burst into laughter. Oscar and their friends formed a protective semicircle behind Emilia.

Billy got to his feet, anger on his face and ready to retaliate. He looked around, thought better of it and disappeared through the exit. The music restarted.

“Who taught you that move?” Oscar asked. “Pappy insisted I join the Judo Dojo. I guess it came in handy,” Emilia replied.

Emilia was allowed to take most of the summer off before starting a new job. On her very first day she was on the Underground. Her grandfather had given her directions and words of caution; however, he could not prepare Emilia for the events about to unfold.