The next night found Will understandably quiet and somber. For the first time, when Lizzie appeared Will was not in bed, but instead sat on his window seat blankly staring out onto the grounds. Without hesitation or thought she went to him. Taking his hand gently in her own she sat beside him. And their they spent the night. Silently. Watching the trees below sway in the gentle breeze.

Time passed and the nightly visits continued. Before long Will returned to school, and he was relieved to see that Lizzie went with him. Although he found it a little odd that each night they would still meet in his bedroom at home. However he simply shrugged it off as a strange part of an already strange situation. With every passing night they talked, laughed and played, and became solid friends. Will found it shockingly easy to forget just how young Lizzie was. And she in turn looked up to him and insisted on fun games and adventures.

One night some six months after they first met Will came to a decision.

"Lizzie" He tried to get her attention as she climbed beneath his bed. "Lizzie come out from there, I'd like to talk to you" Now just a few months ago he might have asked why she was slithering under his bed like some oily serpent, but now, after so many nights he simply accepted such behaviour as 'Lizzie-ness'

"You can talk while I'm under here" Her muffled response bounced back.

"Look, please, just come out" She didn't answer "If you come out and listen I'll let you choose a game, any one. Completely your choice. And I promise I'll play" The excited squeak and accompanied rustling was all the response he needed. He didn't even try to contain his wide grin as the dishevelled child wriggled out. "Lizzie, you are very clever. How would you like it if some nights we spend time with me sharing what I'm learning at school. I know you'll enjoy some of my subjects and teaching someone else will help me so much. I'd really like to have someone to work a little with, it won't be anything to difficult, I promise!"

A knowing look passed over Lizzys face

"Is George still refusing to study with you properly?"

"I wish he would take it all more seriously. Father is giving him an excellent opportunity" He

sighed sadly "And all the other boys like him. He's so much better with people than me. Even the teachers let his behaviour slide as he always has an excuse. I just wish he'd take it all more seriously. He's very clever when he chooses to be"

"You have friends though, don't you?"

"Well yes, sort of. Most just want to be close because of our family name and connections. Being connected to us will do them well when we are older. I just want a friend who likes me for me" Voicing the reality of the situation depressed him.

"I like you for you Will" The girl looked up at him in earnest.

"I appreciate that Lizzie, but this" He waved his arms around "isn't real. You aren't real"

"I feel real, I have a wake time life. If I feel real, I am real" She announced "And yes Will, I would love for you to teach me some things. It'll be fun" The boy perked up.

"Alright then, we can start tomorrow. I promised you a game. What would you like to play"

"Hide and seek, HIDE AND SEEK!" she bounced excitedly "Please Will, PLEEEEEEEEEESE"

Will shook his head fondly, he really should have known. Lizzie had been wanting to play in the vast house from the very first. Night after night they had spent in their time either in Wills room or outside in the grounds, they had long ago stopped wondering why they always met at the country estate, Its strange how some things just become normal.

"Very well, I ought to have guessed that really. But you have to promise me something"

"Yes, anything. Anything at all" she continued to bounce in excitement.

"I mean it Lizzie" His serious tone caught her attention and she calmed immediately "You are not to EVER go into mothers personal room or study! Promise me"

"I promise, I won't go in them. Not now, not ever" she agreed solemnly.

"Good, thank you" He allowed his face to set into a relaxed smile. "One...Two...Three..."

And just like that she took off out of the room.