Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog. But when it is time to start her new school, Shadow and Mummy must stay outside. And inside is full of strangers. ''Why don''t you try The Friendship Bench?'' says her teacher, when Tilly is playing alone. ''It helps children find new friends to play with.'' But when Tilly gets there, somebody is already on it . . .