Sam Youd as John Christopher

As he reached the first rock-encircled pool he wondered if he would find the little girl there, until he remembered that she had gone home the previous morning. They had hunted crabs together every day...

Lance climbed out of bed and ran over towards his brother. He shook him carefully, and called: ‘Gordon!’ Gordon stirred and mumbled something. Lance looked at him silently, feeling himself awake and rich in sensations....

Gordon thought he had never known the car to run so smoothly. It seemed that no effort of his was needed to achieve a perfection in response; it ran with absolute sweetness, almost – he...

The road they were taking ran round the side of the hill towards Weybrook. There was little traffic on it now. The light seemed to be fading rapidly from the sky ahead. The little finger...

‘We met Gwen Norton while Mummy was wheeling me to your house this afternoon,’ she went on. ‘Funny how old feelings persist! Ever since I’ve known her I’ve felt sorry for Gwen. When we first...

In the driving seat Gordon paused to look round with pride. ‘Yes,’ he confirmed. ‘It’s a beauty. Cost a bit more, but it’s worth it. I can get up to seventy easily.’ He looked guilty....

Lance, concentrating on Mrs Graham and Gordon and the cake-stand being lifted in his mother’s fingers, heard Eve’s soft, cheerful voice breaking in relentlessly, testing to its limit the courage that had brought him back...

He said: ‘I’m ravenous, Rosie. I say – visitors coming?’ Rose said: ‘Yes, dear. Eve Graham and her mother.’ ‘Must I stay to tea?’ Lance asked. ‘Please, Mummy.’ ‘You must learn not to be frightened...

She had a litheness that surprised him. She twisted herself free and stood in the doorway. Steam rose from her wet arms, and tears were beginning to roll down the thin, white cheeks. She said...

The front door was open as he came downstairs and he could see Nelly beyond, scrubbing the doorstep. He called out to her, and she looked up with appraising, frightened eyes. His mother looked out...