1. I spot Alec coming out, all woolly hat and long legs in his PE kit. He doesn't want to walk home with me and Bettany, even though there's no-one at the house, and I've got the key.
2. Bettany hates the snack I've brought. She also hates the way I try to walk home. She wants to go across the common. 'Then I can catch a rabbit and eat it instead of banana.'
3. It's like the woodland has hidden spring in its fists. Guess which hand?