‘I just want to make sure,’ I say, standing up and pulling my coat off the hook. I risk a glance at Mum: she still looks normal, apart from the unfamiliar expression on her face. I look down at my fingers, willing them not to shake while I do up the zip. I need her to think everything’s fine.

‘The best place for you is right here.’ Mum stands her ground. ‘Safe at home, tucked up away from any danger.’ 41

Weird thing to say. Very weird. I need to get out of this house.

She steps forward and puts her hand on my arm.

‘I couldn’t get back to sleep last night,’ I say, ‘because I was worried about Betty. Finding her will put my mind at rest, and then maybe I’ll be able to catch up tonight.’ I reach for the door handle and edge slightly away from her. Her hand stays on my arm, her grip tightening. ‘I could really use a good sleep, but I don’t think I’ll get one until I know she’s OK.’

She tilts her head like she did in the kitchen. Pauses. ‘Perhaps it will be for the best, then, if it will help you sleep.’ She lifts her hand from my sleeve, and I notice my coat almost clinging to her skin, like her palm is sticky. I pretend not to notice as she pulls a little and it peels away, making a soft tearing sound, like velcro. ‘Make sure you’re back before curfew.’

‘Of course,’ I say. ‘Have a good day, Mum.’ That’s it: handle down, door open, and I’m out. I look back to see Mum watching me, so I give her what I hope looks like a carefree wave, then I turn on to Honeycroft Road and break into a run.

‘Later, Betty,’ I call, as I pass her curled up snoring under a hedge. I know I should stop to 42 see if she’s alright, but I have more important things to worry about. This is all about as bad as it could be and I’m gonna need back-up.

When I get to the house, my courage falls like a pound coin out of a pocket hole. I stare at the door a bit, nudge forward to knock, and then change my mind. I thought this would be easy, but now that I’m here, I realise it’s more frightening than facing down a whole swarm of alien nasties. I chew my bottom lip, and go to knock at least three more times before the door suddenly opens of its own accord.

‘What are you doing, Lance?’ Kat says. ‘You’ve been out here for twenty minutes.’

She’s looking at me like I’m a straight-up lunatic, but all I can see are those eyes, the colour of cartoon dolphins leaping gracefully out of sparkling ocean waves.