Children

The hissing patter of falling ash, the occasional crash as a building crumbled, and the terrified weeping of the fleeing Pompeians were the only sounds to be heard as they neared the gate leading out of the town.

A secretive smile crossed Aphrodite’s face. She brought her hand around and slowly unfolded it to reveal four small figures standing on her palm; two boys, one of whom was wearing glasses, a girl with long fair hair and, last but not least, a handsome, pale-coloured cat with startling turquoise eyes.

Jemima inched forward hesitantly, one tiny step at a time, her nerves jangling. The flickering torch continued to cast ghostly shadows on the walls of the passageway.