At his nephew’s request, Grant had turned up in his policeman’s uniform while his wife, Polly, was in her white doctor’s coat complete with toy stethoscope to test everyone’s hearts.Tomorrow Bevan was going to be five, which was the reason he was jumping off today.It still seemed odd to Charlotte that children started school on their fifth birthday, rather than at the beginning of the school year, however that was the system here, and she wasn’t about to fault it. Why would she, when everything she’d seen of childcare so far was as good as anything she’d ever come across in England, in fact in some ways it was better. Certainly the learning rituals were impressive, as were the outdoor activities as well as the embracing of native culture. Plus – and this was a huge plus for any parent – there was far less risk of predators prowling the vicinity than there was in Britain.What a blessing it was to have Chloe here. If only it was possible to bring all the children who’d suffered the way she had and help give them a fresh start too.Dream on, Mother Teresa, and mind your halo doesn’t slip.‘He hardly slept a wink last night, he was so excited,’ Bevan’s mother whispered from the next seat.Not surprised, Charlotte said, ‘I’m sure he’ll make up for it tonight after all the fuss, which can only be a good thing with such a big day ahead of him tomorrow.’Ellie Greengrass nodded agreement as she leaned back to hear what her brother, Grant, was saying.Their adult group was seated to one side of the circle the cross-legged children had formed around a gaily painted cardboard throne, which in turn was sitting grandly beneath the all important jump-off ring.
