The Uninvited

ed uniforms consist of loose elasticatedtrousers and jackets that zip at the front.The children’s first names are stencilledon the back of the jackets in large blackletters. Many of them are much youngerthan Freddy. There is the usual racial mix,for London, with skin colours rangingfrom Ecru to Burnt Ebony. Many – thefair-haired kids especially – are wearingsunglasses. There is a slide and a set ofswings, but the kids aren’t using them.Those in the sandpit are diggingindustriously, raking its surface with theirbare hands, or just sitting and sifting sandthrough their fingers. Elsewhere, there aregroups clustered around the five rowantrees.‘And hey, look in there!’ Freddy hasturned, and he’s pointing to a room to our