She didn’t have to be a policewoman or a fan to work out what profession Chantelle had ended up in. Framed covers from dozens of different fashion magazines lined the walls, Chantelle’s face staring out from every one of them. Graham seemed entranced by a picture on the cover of an American edition of Vogue, Ryan on the other hand was more interested in the cast and crew signatures on the framed Alien Bikers! poster that hung at the far end of the hallway.

As Chantelle emerged from the living room pulling on a voluminous puffer jacket, Yaz gave her an apologetic smile.

‘Look, sorry, I came on a bit strong there. Old police habits die hard …’

Chantelle gave her an understanding nod. ‘That’s OK. If you’re hanging around with the Doctor then I can only imagine what sort of stuff you’re putting up with.’

Ryan raised an eyebrow. ‘You know about the Doctor?’

‘Met him when I was little.’ She paused. ‘I just hope he can sort all this weirdness out …’

‘Um, he’s a she now,’ said Yaz.

Chantelle stared at her for a moment, then laughed. ‘And I thought there was nothing left that could surprise me. Come on, I’ll show you where our friendly neighbourhood aliens were hanging out.’

The four of them left the flat and made their way round to the alleyway where Chantelle had seen the mysterious figures.

‘They appeared over there,’ said Chantelle, pointing at the streetlight at the far side of the recycling area. ‘One minute nothing, the next, there they were.’

‘Right,’ Yaz nodded. ‘Then I guess this is where we start.’

Graham was sceptical. ‘Surely the chances of them coming back to exactly the same area two nights running are pretty remote?’

No sooner had the words left his lips than there was the sound of something moving from the far side of the yard.

‘I can see something hiding in the bushes behind the bins,’ whispered Ryan.

‘You know,’ Chantelle backed up a step. ‘I’m really in no hurry to have a second encounter …’

Yaz quickly took in their surroundings. ‘Ryan, if you circle round to the left and Graham, you head right, then we should be able cut off any chance it has of escaping down the alleyway.’

‘And me?’ asked Chantelle dubiously.

‘Stay here. Stop it getting out this way.’

‘What are you going to be doing?’

‘I’ll just go straight at it. With luck, one of us will be able to catch it. Now move. Quickly!’

Leaving Chantelle at the entrance to the recycling area, Yaz, Graham and Ryan started to spread out, using the various bins and skips as cover. As soon as she was happy that the other two had cut off any escape route, Yaz edged forward, trying to see if she could get a better look at whatever was hiding in the shadows.