At the End of a School Day by Wes Magee

It is the end of a school day and down the long drive come bag-swinging, shouting children. Deafened, the sky winces. The sun gapes in surprise.

Suddenly the runners skid to a stop, stand still and stare at a small hedgehog curled-up on the tarmac like an old, frayed cricket ball.

A girl dumps her bag, tiptoes forward and gingerly, so gingerly carries the creature to the safety of a shady hedge. Then steps back, watching.

Girl, children, sky and sun hold their breath. There is a silence, a moment to remember on this warm afternoon in June.