Chapter 1

The air felt damp and chilly. Overhead, low dark clouds rolled past, threatening a downpour at any moment. However, Lily wasn't taking any notice of the weather. She was full of chatter after spending her first day at a new school. She clung to her mother's hand as they made their way home.

               'Miss Thomas said my picture was the best,' said Lily as she skipped along.

               Her mother looked at her and smiled. 'Wow. Well done, darling.'

               'She put it on the wall with everyone else's. But mine was the only one with a gold star on it. She said I can bring it home tomorrow.'

               'So, you like Miss Thomas, then?'

               'Oh, yes. She smells nice and doesn't shout at me.' Lily frowned. 'Not like my last teacher.'

               'Mr Arnold?'

               'Yes. Mr Arnold wasn't very nice, was he Mummy?'

               'No, he wasn't. But what did I tell you?'

               'Bad things always happen to nasty people like him. That's right, isn't it Mummy?'

               'Well, yes. Sometimes they do. But only if they truly deserve it.'

               Lily grinned.

               'And what about new friends? Have you made any yet?'

               'There's Janet. I like her. She sits next to me in class. But she's got a funny eye.'

               'What do you mean? A funny eye?'

               'One looks at you, but the other one's looking somewhere else,' said Lily. She began squinting and showing what she meant.

               'That's enough of that, Lily. What have I told you about pulling faces? What would happen if the weather changed?'

               'I'll stay looking like it?'

               'Yes, that's right. Come on, let's get home. It's beginning to rain.'

               The pavements soon became wet and glistened in the light from the street lamps. Lily and her mother left the main road and headed into the maze of back streets. The rain came down harder, and the wind grew stronger.

               'Mummy, look. Can I get some sweets?' asked Lily as they approached a corner shop.

               'I'm not sure-'

               'But I have been a good girl. Haven't I?'

               'Okay. They might have something for our tea. I've been so busy today I haven't had the chance to prepare anything.'

               'Goody,' said Lily, letting go of her mother's hand. She pushed open the door and went inside.

               A bell tinkled, announcing their arrival. Lily's mother closed the door, and the bell rang again. It looked like a museum rather than a sweet shop, thought Lily. But not like the boring ones you visit on school trips. This one wasn't dusty and damp. It was spotless. Lily could smell furniture polish. However, it couldn't compete with the sweet scent of sugary treats. She stepped forward, and the worn floorboards creaked underfoot.