Stephen Wheatley
The younger version of the narrator, a timid boy who is seen to be quite vulnerable and becomes engulfed with Keith Hayward's games. Bullied for his "stick out ears" and appears to be invisible to his own family and the Haywards.
Keith Hayward
Stephen Wheatley's snobby and arrogant childhood friend, who influences Stephen into dangerous situations. His passive aggressive traits allow him to be dominant over Stephen, which are inherited by his father who routinely canes Keith as punishment for bad behavior.
Mrs.Hayward
An mysterious, attractive woman, whose name is never revealed throughout the novel. She is presented as the conventional married woman during World War Two, until the denouement reveals her infidelity and betrayal nature. Her constant disappearances lead Keith to make a misinterpretation of her being a German Spy, which leads her actions to be at the center of Keith and Stephen's investigation. Her marriage is implied to be distant and unloving, which is reinforced by Frayn's hint of her suffering from physical abuse by her husband Mr.Hayward.
Mr.Hayward
A manipulative mean spirited man, who transfers his anger from not being able to fight in the Second World War to his family. His distant nature revolves around him being in the house shed, constantly fixing and painting things. The fear he brings on Mrs. Hayward and Keith Hayward is conveyed through his calm, devious language and his controlling persona. His use of condescending pet names like "Old bean" and his infamous bayonet reasserts his male dominance.
Barbara Berill
An contemporary of Stephen and Keith, Barbara appears to always aware of their location and seems curious of their findings. A "femme fatale" character, who is used by Frayn to convey significant information about the storyline. Wild and wanting to follow her elder sister's footsteps in the world of teenage shenanigans, Barbara becomes a significant part to Stephen's sexual awakening.
Deidre Berill
Barbara's elder sister who regularly goes out at night to meet with Stephen's older brother Geoff.
Geoff Wheatley
Elderly brother of Stephen Wheatley, his lack of involvement in the narrative highlights how invisible Stephen feels towards his family.
Auntie Dee
Despite being Mrs. Haywards' sister, she is presented to be the complete opposite of an conventional, desirable woman through her "reckless display of of white teeth" and her "cheerfulness". Frayn uses the contrast between the two sisters to evidently show what a conventional married woman was, and how women any less than that were treated.
Uncle Peter
A striking young man who is fighting in World War Two, married to Auntie Dee. According to Keith, he is a "bomber pilot"- thus glorifying Uncle Peter's character. When in hindsight, is very far from reality.
Milly
Child of Uncle Peter and Auntie Dee.
Stefan Wheatley
The voice and narrator of the book, as the older version of Stephen Wheatley. It is also revealed in the denouement that he is in fact German, hence his name being "Stefan" in the present, instead of "Stephen"
