‘Oh! Oh.’ The woman sounds confused. I hear her moving away from me. ‘Come to bed, Poppy.’

The spell worked in English!

The lights flick off and Mabli wanders after them. I collapse onto the tiles with relief.

Just as I am about to stand up and head to that door in the playroom, I hear a frightened cry. ‘Merry! Merry! The laundry lock is smashed. Someone’s broken into the house!’

CHAPTER 25

From behind the kitchen bench, I see the door in the playroom fling open – and there is Mum, wearing crumpled pyjamas and a puzzled expression.

My heart bursts into what feels like a thousand flowers. At last. A small sob escapes me. ‘Mummy,’ I mouth. All I want to do is run to her, but that would ruin everything.

‘What?’ says Mum. ‘Someone’s broken in?’ Her eyes are wide, and dart around the room. She’s caught my scent.

‘Come and see,’ says Poppy’s mum, her voice all trembly. ‘I better call the police.’

‘But Mami, I told you that it’s Toozi,’ grumbles Poppy.

Mum walks into the kitchen, looking straight at me, a tiny smile on her face. She walks right by me and rests her hand on my head for a moment. It takes every gram of strength in me not to reach out and grab hold of her.

‘Go into my room,’ she breathes. Then, in a loud voice, she says, ‘I’ll check the laundry, Elin. You go up to the kids.’

When I hear Elin hurrying up the stairs, I dash across to Mum’s bedroom and close the door behind me. Should I hide in case Elin comes in?

I lie down and roll under Mum’s bed. Upstairs, a door bangs and a kid cries. I feel bad that I’ve made them scared.

As I wait, I slowly relax. I’ve been holding on so tight, trying so hard, but now I can let go. I’ve found Mum and she’ll take charge. Soon, we’ll be out of here and home with dad.

Time stretches. What is she doing? At least the floor is warm under me. The wind picks up outside and dashes snow against the window. I hope Efa made it home okay. After a while, a hollow, sick feeling grows in my stomach. It’s like the feeling I used to get when Sylvie was taking my energy. But why would I be getting that feeling here?

I’m not sure how much later it is when I hear the door open. ‘Tulsi?’ whispers my mum.