I opened my eyes and stretched out. I looked at the alarm clock and sat up.

" Louisa. Get up, the alarm didn't go off," I said. I turned to see my sister's bed empty. I climbed out of bed and got dressed quickly. I walked out of my room and into the girls' room. My four sister were sitting with Fräulein Maria.

" You're late," Marta said.

" I'm aware of that," I said.

" I turned off the alarm when I woke up," Louisa said.

" Fräulein Maria says we are going to do our lessons outside today," Gretl said. I smiled as I sat beside her.

" Yes we are. Now why don't we see if the boys are ready and then we can have breakfast," Fräulein Maria said. My sisters stood up and ran out of the room.

" I still want to talk to you," she said, looking at me.

" Yes Fräulein," I said.

" How about after breakfast," she said, smiling.

" Alright," I said. I ran forward and grabbed Louisa's arm.

" I wanted to see if Fräulein Maria would be able to manage Marta and Gretl in the morning. She was almost as good as you. I'm telling Friedrich and Kurt not to play anymore tricks," Louisa said.

" You're finally growing up Lou," I said and she smiled. We went into the dining room and sat down. Bowls of porridge and honey were brought out and we all eagerly ate. I wiped my mouth and took a final drink then moved my chair back ready to stand up.

" Now when you are finished you can go and get your books and go into the garden," Fräulein Maria said. The seven of us stood up and ran to the library. I opened my desk and took my history book out. We walked back downstairs as the front door opened and the Grubers came in.

" Good morning," Anna said.

" We get to do our work outside today," Gretl said.

" Come on everyone," Fräulein Maria said, coming out of the dining room. She looked at us. " Wasn't there only seven children a minute ago."

" These are our neighbours. Rolfe, Anna, Rupert, Pippi, Werner, Ben and Charlie," Gretl said.

" You're supposed to be their governess too. Father doesn't put fourteen children on any notices because you'd have to be crazy to take the job," Louisa said.

" Usually Father mentions it. He must have forgot," I said.