I pulled on a pair of long trousers and a jumper instead.

I sat on William Whittington, a big slice of Dad’s elderflower drizzle in a bag beside me – birthday cake. I had a banana too. The mayor dropped some round early this morning, while I was still in bed. Mum showed me how to peel them.

Wind swept through the branches of the trees, shook the leaves. Old, dead relatives whispering.

Were they whispering about me?

The thin rain kept on falling. It seeped into my coat, then my jumper. It soaked the bag and turned the cake into damp elderflower mush.

I shivered in the September air.

Una didn’t come.

MONDAY
8 SEPTEMBER

CHAPTER 22

“Good morning, Mrs Zimmerman;

Good morning, Mr Temple;

Good morning, Miss Conteh;

Good morning, Mr Webster;

Good morning, EVERYONE.”

“It’s weird, isn’t it? Being here without Jed and Lindi. Isn’t it, Maggie? It’s weird.” Trig spoke so close to my ear his lips actually slobbered on me. Yuck. I pushed him away.

“Heads down, please, for the morning chant.” Mrs Zimmerman clasped her hands and tilted her head.

I squeezed my eyes tight shut. Focused on the words.

“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.”

“I have a very special announcement to make this morning.” Mrs Zimmerman’s cheekbones tightened into a smile. “I have been informed by Mayor Anderson herself that one of our pupils has performed an exemplary service to our community.”

I looked up.

“This Class Four pupil skilfully spotted evidence of wanderers near the town boundary and reported it to the mayor. In doing so she has protected our town – and our families – from a distinct and likely danger.”

Me. Mrs Zimmerman was talking about me. The whole school was gazing up, listening. No fidgeting. No yawning.

“Mayor Anderson sent out a party to investigate. A wanderer girl of fourteen was rescued from the settlement and her wanderer father was dealt with.”

Fourteen?

Did she mean Una?

“The wanderer girl is being well cared for in the mayor’s house and will be taken to camp as soon as possible.”

Camp?

Una? Going to camp?

“So, thanks to one of our very own pupils – a middler, in fact – this wanderer will have the glorious opportunity to serve her country and our town is safe once more.” Mrs Zimmerman smiled again. “Our Class Four pupil has helped not only her community but also her whole country. She’s a very special girl – a very special middler.”

Please don’t say my name.

Please don’t say it.

“So I’d like her to stand up for a round of applause.” No, please, no, no.

“Maggie Cruise? I can see you there, hiding next to your brother! Come on, stand up.”