The pair ran downstairs and through the kitchen into the back garden. Their mother, Amanda, stood at the sink, peeling potatoes.

"What are you two up to?" she asked suspiciously. She was always wary when her older children were getting on. It usually meant mischief. Though she wouldn't admit it out loud, it was more comforting to have them bickering. At least then they were more or less behaving.

"Nothing, mum," they replied in unison.

Sure, she thought. I believe you.

"What are you doing now? Dinner will be ready in an hour or so."

"Can we go play Hide and Seek in the woods?" asked Sarah. They knew if she asked, the answer was more likely to be 'yes'. Their parents seemed to automatically assume Adam would be doing something he shouldn't be, whereas Sarah was 'exploring her boundaries', as the adults put it. Adam used to hate the favouritism, but soon learned to use it to his advantage with the cooperation of his sister.

"I'd rather you didn't, guys," Amanda said. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"Not for an hour, mum." said Sarah.

Adam nodded. "We'll take Tom with us."

Tom was their youngest brother, five years Adam's junior while there was a year separating him from Sarah. He would often be in Adam's shadow, following him around like a pet dog who was pleased to see its owner home from work for the day. It was tiring for the older boy, but he did like having a baby brother.

"Well... I suppose so." The two children cheered as their mother continued: "Make sure you stay near the house. I don't want to have to come looking for you once dinner is done."

"OK mum," said Sarah. "We will."

Adam ran back into the house and was followed a moment later by Tom. They careened past their sister who laughed and ran with them, disappearing into the trees that lined the back of their house.

"Don't go too far!" Amanda shouted, following them out into the garden. "Listen out for dinner!"

She heard her children yell something back at her, but couldn't make out what. It didn't matter. They were having fun and they'd soon be back for their meal when they smelled the food and their stomachs reminded them of their mother's instructions. She turned to walk back into the house but a noise stopped her. It was low and rumbling - either quiet or distant, she couldn't tell. She looked up to see if an airplane was flying overhead. The sky was clear, almost cloudless. She looked over to the tree line but saw nothing. Her children had disappeared. She listened intently then smiled with relief as she heard their laughter.

The potatoes wouldn't peel themselves, she thought. Her own stomach grumbled at the thought of food and she returned to the kitchen sink to prepare the meal.

The house was old, a huge structure which had been added to over the decades by various owners. It had become a mismatched building which looked thrown together. It was as if a child had been using oversized building blocks one rainy afternoon and had created a haphazard jumble of rooms before becoming bored and turning to colouring or the television. The oddly misshaped aspect of the house was part of its charm, as far as Amanda and her husband Ian were concerned. It was what drew them to it.

The endless acres of forest at the back only added to the attraction. There were (though the family had yet to see them), deer, rabbits and foxes residing amid the trees. In winter, they would supposedly be able to choose a Christmas tree from the many hundreds hiding therein. It was too good to pass up. They knew the previous owners had died in the house some time before they bought it and they felt guilty that it pushed down the asking price, but they instantly fell in love when they saw it.

It was as if the house was the home they'd always searched for.

Her husband, Ian, was at work. He'd opened a printing business in the town and was being kept busy - sometimes too busy. But, he had to make a name for himself and busy meant savings and holidays and food. Busy was sometimes lonely, but it was good in the long run.

Amanda picked up a potato and began to scrape it with the peeler. She hummed softly to herself.

"If you go down to the woods today..."

Sarah, Adam and Tom were enjoying themselves in their new home. The forest was full of places to hide and trees to climb. Today was really the first time the children had properly been able to explore and they were relishing the moment, even including Tom in their play. Granted, he was 'It' and he was struggling to find them, but that was part of the game and part of the fun.

As they ran and hid and jumped on top of each other, they moved deeper into the forest. It was fine, though, she thought. They'd still be able to hear their mum. She had a loud voice, especially when she was shouting at her children. Besides, Sarah had her watch on. She would know when an hour had passed.