‘D'ya want a peppermint pig, Mrs Greengrass?’

Poll looked at the milkman, thinking of sweets, but there was a real pig poking its snout out of the milkman’s coat pocket. It was the tiniest pig she had ever seen. ‘What’s a peppermint pig?’

‘Runt of the litter. Too small for the sow to raise. He’d only get trampled in in the rush.’

Mother took the pig from him and held it firmly while it kicked and squealed. ‘Well, he seems strong enough. And even runts grow.’

‘Oh,’ Poll said. ‘Oh, Mother.’ She stroked the small, wriggling body. ‘Theo,’ she shouted, ‘Look what we’ve got!’

It is a difficult year for the Greengrasses. Poll’s father has lost his job and gone overseas, the family are living off the charity of two aunts, and Poll and her brother Theo just can’t seem to keep out of trouble. It takes a tiny, mischievous pig to bring laughter back into their lives.