I peered where he was pointing. A mass of green beyond the furthest trees looked more solid than foliage, but remoteness could be lending that appearance to a bank of leaves or grass. Even when we halved the distance I was wary of embracing the illusion, and urged a voice to make itself heard. Instead I heard a door creak open, which could be the movement of a tree trunk, even if there was no wind. The sun glinted on a pool of water, though how could a pool be so high in the air? Perhaps it was on top of a ridge. Now I saw it was rectangular and upright, and felt as if the woods had lost their power to confuse my perceptions. The sight beyond the trees was indeed a house, painted an unhelpful green. My aunt’s house stood to its left, and along the fence to the right was the car park.

I made for the entrance and didn’t slow down until both of us were in the car park, from where I gave Third Mile Wood a last look. I saw trees absorbing the sunlight, and no trace of the fancies I appeared to have inherited from my aunt. “Well,” I said, which felt almost like enough, “that was some kind of an adventure.”

“Just the start, dad.”

For once I might have preferred him to sound less enthusiastic. “I’d like to head home now.”

“I didn’t mean today.” Having finished not much of a laugh, Roy said “Let’s see more tomorrow. There’s lots we could.”

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

On the Roof