From the darkness ahead of her there was a sudden anguished cry. Jolted from her stupor, Chantelle suddenly remembered that the alleyway down which Kim and the two strange creatures had vanished was blocked at the far end. The things had fled when discovered, but if they were cornered …

Snatching up a length of wood from the floor, she ran after Kim fast as her heels would allow. As she reached the end, she could see him running from one side of the alleyway to the other, the torch beam waving frantically. Of the things he had been chasing there was no sign.

‘Where are they?’ asked Chantelle brandishing her makeshift club. ‘Where did they go?’

‘I don’t know!’ cried Kim peering desperately over the fences into gardens and backyards. ‘I was right behind them. I was so close …’

Chantelle turned in a slow circle, searching for anywhere that the two creatures might be hiding, but the alleyway was deserted.

She let the length of timber drop to the floor, making Kim jump at the sound.

‘Well don’t just stand there!’ he snapped. ‘There must be a loose section of fence. Help me find it!’

‘Not a chance.’ Chantelle shook her head. ‘I’m cold, my feet are wet and I’ve just seen something that’s going to give me nightmares for weeks. I’m going down the club and I’m going to get drunk.’

Ignoring his pleas, she turned and started to make her way back along the alleyway towards her flat and the bustle of Perivale high street.

As she did so she noticed with disgust that, watching her from the undergrowth, there were dozens and dozens of rats.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The British space exploration vehicle Virgil sat in its launch cradle, incongruous against the backdrop of the English countryside, the slow, mechanical countdown that boomed from the Tannoy system a sharp contrast to the distant, barking cries of foxes and the mournful hooting of owls as they hunted mice and shrews in the fields

Inside the cockpit, Dorothy watched as Will performed the launch status check, responding methodically to the tasks Sam gave him over the radio.

‘Start automatic ground launch sequencer.’

‘Check.’

‘Retract orbiter access arm.’

‘Retracted.’

‘Start auxiliary power units.’

Will reached out and closed a set of switches, and immediately a low hum filled the cabin.

‘Crew members close and lock their visors.’