That was strange. Her parents never left crockery floating about in the swimming pool. She walked out the back to take a closer look. The mugs on the tray were full of blueberry tea. The plate had two biscuits on it. One of them had a single bite taken out of it.

Shimlara turned away from the pool and looked around the backyard. There was something lying in her little brother’s sandpit. Shimlara’s hand went to her mouth. It was Squid’s blue security blanket. He never went anywhere without his blanket. She ran over, grabbed it and hugged it tightly to her chest.

Then something else caught her eye. There was a piece of torn notepaper lying on the ground next to the sandpit. She recognised her father’s big loopy handwriting. She picked it up.

Help, Shiml

The last letter was wobbly, as if he’d been interrupted.

As Shimlara ran back inside the house, there was just one thought in her mind.

I need the Space Brigade.