'What made the orchard miraculous was an abandoned railway carriage, set down as if by magic, its wheels gone, anchored by long grass and nettles. Ruby and I stared at it and each other . . . dark-windowed, out of place in a thicket of thorns, it was the perfect hide-out, house, the camp of our dreams'

When April's parents move from London to rural Kent she makes her first best friend. With flame-haired, fearless Ruby, April shares secrets, dares and laughter. But Ruby has secrets of her own -bruises that she hides.

Also seeking April's friendship is old Mr Greenidge, immaculate in his linen suit, with eyes like blue glass. He follows her around the village with his beguiling daschund, and wants to learn everything about her.

'Shena Mackay has brought off something quite rare ... the author has set out a rite of passage which will leave few readers unaffected' Anita Brookner, Spectator
'So touched with magic, so achingly sad and funny that my breath was taken away . . . wonderful' Elizabeth Buchan, The Times
'An eloquent, beautifully written, unpretentious novel about a 1950s childhood' Fay Weldon