"This book is excerpted from a series that originally appeared in The Scotsman newspaper"--Title page verso.

Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain by Polygon Books, an imprint of Birlinn Ltd., Edinburgh, in 2023.

"A Vintage Books original 2024"--Title page verso.

"Approached in the park by a shadowy figure, Angus Lordie is mistaken for a journalist and becomes privy to some controversial plans of the Scottish Parliament--but just what is he meant to do about it? At school, a new member of Bertie's class, Galactica MacFee, quickly comes between Bertie and Olive, leaving him no choice but to skip town. And the indomitable Irene finds herself yet again in Edinburgh . . . but this time there might be romance in the air. Meanwhile, Matthew invests in a brand new Pictish Experience Centre, meant to allow residents to experience what life was like for Scotland's mysterious early people, the Picts. And they have made a fantastic discovery--the earliest known work of Scottish literature! But what exactly do those mysterious Pictish runes say? What's no secret, however, is that in the microcosm of 44 Scotland street, love, generosity, and goodwill abound"--