8Pearly and her grandfather live peacefully together in the countryside. They spend their days tending their garden and growing the vegetables they love to eat. Grandfather makes his special medicines, creams and potions from plants and flowers that Pearly gathers for him at full moon. They enjoy a deep connection and understanding of the natural world, are aware of the seasons and the special tasks that need doing at different times of the year. All is well in their world. One day, Pearly looks out of the window. Across the field, she sees a really long ladder reaching high into the sky. She sees the Wire Boys, a chaotic group of boys carrying armfuls of their most precious possessions; computers, mobile phones wires and plugs. They are bored of Earth and are planning on escaping to Mars. As Pearly goes about her daily tasks, she observes their struggle from a distance and becomes very concerned for them.