‘Leaplings, the Infinity-Glass has only recently been donated, anonymously, to this museum. History is a story we are continually rewriting.’ She pauses for a split second. ‘We don’t yet know who made it; or who engraved the infinity signs. In this age of synthetic materials, we can admire this practical sculpture of wood and glass and sand. But we DO know this: the Infinity-Glass was made in 1752, before the 2nd of September. We Leaplings value 1752 artefacts above all others but this one’s extra special. It was purchased by Dr Johnson, the famous lexicographer, writer of dictionaries, and given as a present to his young black servant, Francis Barber. It’s referred to in a letter Francis wrote years later as “the Glass you bestowed upon me prior to the 11-day leap”. History adds value: celebrity multiplies it. The Infinity-Glass is priceless.’

The gallery is quiet like everyone’s stopped breathing and all focus is on the Infinity-Glass. Anno nods her head as if taking a bow and I notice Mrs Zhong taking a photo of Anno with her elaborate Eiffel Tower hairstyle standing next to the Infinity-Glass. Mrs C Eckler begins to clap, which means we have to clap too.

Anno waits for it to go quiet again. Then she says, ‘Every year, this museum runs a 1752 Poetry Prize. The winner for 2021 is Elle Ifíè from Intercalary International School. We are especially pleased to welcome Elle since she’ll be participating in our Music, Maths and Movement Activity Day this Wednesday. Elle, please take the stage to read your poem.’ Anno walks to the left-hand side of the room and waits for me to take her place.

I instantly feel sick with over-excitement as Big Ben starts filming on his Chronophone. I remember to take more slow, deep breaths to calm myself down. Somehow, my legs begin to walk to the front of the room.

But before I get there, something happens.

A figure, dressed head to toe in a black catsuit, appears out of thin air, grabs the Infinity-Glass, tilts their head to the right, and disappears. A split second later, an identical figure appears, stares at me, and disappears instantly!

It happens so quickly, I stop in my tracks, not sure what to do next. My heart is thumping in my chest like I just ran the 100 metres. Did I imagine it, or did the second figure look me straight in the eye before they disappeared? I couldn’t SEE their eyes but I felt their gaze. I stared back. I feel sick. I don’t know what to do. I’m tongue-tied. Not from anxiety, from surprise.

Some pupils are shouting, some have left their seats and museum assistants appear out of nowhere, trying to create some kind of order, but everything feels like it’s happening behind a glass screen. I can only focus on what just happened.

Someone just stole the Infinity-Glass!