Apart from the distant sound of Father snoring and a few birds in the trees outside, all was quiet. Edward was carrying his cricket bat and ball, and he grinned at her, his teeth white in the gloom. They crept down the wide staircase, past the tall stained-glass windows above the landing and out the front door, closing it behind them with a click. Dawn painted the sky a pale pink and dew coated the lawns. ‘Happy birthday,’ Edward whispered. ‘You want to bowl first?’ ‘Of course!’ Rose said. They avoided the crunchy gravel on the driveway and ran around to the back of their huge house, past the stables and down to the farthest corner, where Edward had set up his wickets. He’d promised to play cricket with Rose on her birthday, and this was the only chance they’d have before Mother would wake up and come looking for her. Edward poked at the grass with his bat. ‘It must’ve rained last night.’ Rose laughed as she warmed up her bowling arm, swinging it around and up.
