Mrs Zimmerman clasped her hands together in front of her waist. “Mr Webster has kindly spent part of his summer sanding and oiling our hall floor. Aren’t we lucky?”

I spread out my fingers and pressed my palms on to the smooth wood. Must’ve taken him ages.

“Heads down, please, for the morning chant.”

“Our eldests are heroes.

Our eldests are special.

Our eldests are brave.

Shame upon any who holds back an eldest

And shame upon their kin.

Most of all,

Shame upon the wanderers.

Let peace settle over the Quiet War,

Truly and forever.”

Mrs Zimmerman lifted her head, tilted it to one side, and smiled. “Welcome back to Fennis Wick School, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your break.”

We bit at our nails and gazed up at the empty walls while she said all the things that head teachers have to say at the beginning of term.

“As well as sanding the floorboards, Mr Webster has also dug over the toilets for us. Please be sure to use the new ones and leave the old ones to compost. He’s left everything very clearly signposted.”

We clapped for Mr Webster.

“Miss Conteh has returned to us after having her baby – a little boy, called Michael. An eldest. We’re hoping his dad might pop in with him one lunchtime.”

We clapped for Miss Conteh.

“Two of our pupils, Sally Owens and Deb Merino – both eldests, of course – turned fourteen over the summer and have gone to camp.”

We clapped for Sally Owens.

We clapped for Deb Merino.

“And two more of our eldests are heading off for camp this very Saturday – Jed Cruise and Lindi Chowdhry.”

Jed leaned in and nudged shoulders with Lindi.

My hands were getting fed up with all the clapping.

“And just before we return to our classes, we have a special guest here today with some important news.” Mrs Zimmerman held out an arm towards the entrance of the hall.

No one came out.

“Er … we have a special guest here with some important news,” she said again, louder this time.

No one came out.

Mr Temple cleared his throat. He nodded towards the window.

Mayor Anderson was sitting on the wall in the littlests’ outdoor play area, feet resting on a go-fast-kart and two hands cupped round an enormous butty. Cheese, by the look of it. She finished up chewing, swallowed her mouthful, and gave us a wave.

A few of us waved back.

Mrs Zimmerman took a deep breath in. “Would you be so kind as to let the mayor know we’re ready for her, Mr Temple?”