Singing love is forever and ever (well I guess that was true)Â
1997
Monty Green and Harper McIntyre meet on the first day of preschool. Itâs the first time Monty had done something without his best friend, Jasper, but heâs gone to a different school. Heâs scared to go into the classroom alone and he is clinging to his mumâs leg, when a little blonde girl, with pigtails and a blue dress approaches him.
âYou can come in with me,â she tells him, offering her hand. Sheâs holding her dadâs hand in the other and has a huge, excited smile on her face. Itâs what gives Monty the courage to walk into the class, hand in hand with the little girl heâs never met.
Their parents leave shortly after and Monty barely notices, too distracted by the girl who is teaching him how to build the tallest block towers that donât fall over. He learns her name is Harper. And she quickly becomes his first school friend.
Their teacher, Mrs Kane, letâs them sit next to each other on the mat and then at lunch time, Harper shares her sandwich and he gives her some of his fruit. She doesnât like cheese, so she doesnât have half of his. Monty vows never to bring cheese on his sandwiches again, so they can always share, even though theyâre his favourite. Heâll just have them when he gets home.
After a few months, their parents organise their first play date. Monty has never been to anyoneâs house for a play date except Jasperâs and heâs excited to find that Harper lives really close. He could ride his bike there when he gets old enough.
His mum reminds him that she might want to play with dolls and he shrugs when she tells him to be nice. Heâd be happy to play whatever she wanted because he knows that after that, theyâd play what he wants. And anyway, he likes playing house. Itâs fun.
Harper wants to go exploring though, so her mum says they can play in the woods behind the house, as long as they stay where they can see the back fence. They scamper outside excitedly, finding big sticks to use as trekking poles and bringing out paper and crayons to draw a map.
Of course, it only takes five minutes for them to find a trail. Harper promises her mum wonât come outside and they wonât get caught, so she manages to convince Monty they should follow it. Itâs not very long, but they draw it onto their map as they walk, adding the tree that looks like it has arms.
At the end of the path, they find an abandoned car. It doesnât have any wheels or license plates and Harper immediately declares it magic, running forward to open the door. Monty is a little apprehensive but Harper is never scared of anything, so he follows her forward. Itâs fairly clean inside, compared to what it looks like on the outside and that makes Monty feel better. They draw the car onto the map in bright red crayon and add an X underneath.
âThis is our secret spot,â Harper whispers, even though there is no one around. âIn this magic car.â
