Six Leaf-Lengths, page 1 of 12

Pip tips a straight-edged leaf end over end down the damp sand towards the water, a connected chain of leaf prints running back up to the flat grey stone behind him.

The sea was six leaf-lengths past the stone at morning, and four by dusk.

Pip had measured it with the same leaf both times, to be fair.

It was the first thing he had ever measured that moved.