Press-ups completed, the pupils jogged towards the bridge where the ‘Ladies of Chevening’ held a protest in years gone by to stop it being demolished. As they crossed, Sarah noticed something glinting in the water. The squad moved on, up towards the High Street, but James and Sarah (as inquisitive a pair of twins as you could find) hung back to investigate. Sarah squeezed under the bridge to look at the glistening object. A tiny corner had been uncovered by the relentless flow of water against bank; and now Sarah helped the erosive process along, digging a small, metal case out of the bank.

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She prized it open, rusty hinges squealing in protest.

 

“What on earth?” exclaimed James as he lifted a yellowed, but perfectly preserved book from within.

 

A hurried examination of the first pages revealed a cryptic handwritten note scrawled inside.

 

“What do you think it means?” James asked, as he passed the book to Sarah.