Lana was already stretching out of the window. She threw another splutter of petrol over the helpless creatures below. ‘Bollocks,’ she muttered. ‘It’s empty.’

I handed my petrol can to Lana. Pulling her arm back, and carefully taking aim, she lobbed it at the monster, hitting it centrally in the chest. There was a split second in which that beautiful, purple-coloured effervescent petrol spilled out across its body. But then it was the fire that covered it, the flames crackling and spitting across the animal, its legs wearing a coat of ornate red and orange twists. Even from our windows we could hear the wet burning sounds; the steam bubbling and squeaking as it left the monster, and that solid thwack as the creature finally hit the floor.

The last of the monsters ran, scuttling in staggered jerks towards the sea. In the final moment, it looked like it would fail, its shorter limbs flailing and its body tipping forward, everywhere covered in that dying blue flame. But it ran on, and on. It launched itself forward into the waves, and then emerged, immediately, enraged, and free from the flames. It stood there glistening wet, smoke steaming off it, and it turned towards the house with slow menace.

‘Into the loft!’ I shouted. ‘Into the loft!’

We ran, as it ran. Kate and Lana scrambled for the chair, stumbling as they both went to push it beneath the hatch at the same time.

‘James,’ I screamed. ‘We need to get in the loft!’

Kate launched herself up, and Lana shoved her in higher. The hatch opened with a clattering thud and Kate scrambled in.

‘Quick!’ I shouted.

Lana reached up, and there was a smashing crashing sound from downstairs. She pulled herself in urgently.

‘The glass. It’s coming through the window,’ said James. He was still standing at the top of the stairs, his garden fork raised and ready to strike.

‘Come on, come on!’ I said. I could feel the terror running through my body again, bringing weakness in waves. Thump, drag. The krik had reached the stairs.

‘You get up there first,’ said James. ‘Go!’

It felt like my arms were no longer mine to control.

‘Please,’ I said.

‘Hurry!’ screamed Lana from above. ‘Hurry!’

‘Come on, come on,’ I muttered desperately as I reached up with my trembling useless fingers, pulling myself upwards towards the safety of the darkness. Thump, drag. Thump, drag. I steadied myself on the back of the chair, jamming it against the floor with the edge of my feet to stop it from toppling.

Beneath me, there was a sudden shove, as James pushed me upwards.

‘Kick the chair. Kick the chair!’ urged Kate.

And with one final push, James hauled himself in through the hatch too, the chair falling away beneath with a smash. He crawled in, panting and exhausted.