Only You: an absolutely gripping psychological thriller

  Anyhow, one bit spat so far that it got the record! I watched it skitter across the floor, then fall down a massive knothole in the wooden board. I was worried it might set the house on fire, even though the house is made up of under-the-sea stone, so I went and tried to look down into it, to make sure it wasn’t burning the rafter or whatever, but I couldn’t see anything.

  But I could smell something! The smell of burning paper, like when you leave it by the stove at night so it’s all crackly dry in the morning, so it will set fire easily.

  I was very excited! If the house burnt down it would be like Jane Eyre! Or like London, with me as Mr Pepys!

  Anyway, I ran to the drawer and got my big torch. I keep it there in case of power cuts (they happen a lot!) or burglars (none yet, but still hoping) or to light up my ghost forest at night.

  I switched it on and pointed it down the knothole.

  And guess what I saw?!

  There, under the floorboards, was a pile of books! I couldn’t see what they were called, but they looked old. There was bits of dust and fire on top of them.

  I can’t tell you how thrilled I was! Maybe there was a treasure map down there! Or a dead girl’s secret diary!

  First I stuck my finger in the knothole to see if I could pull the floorboard up, but it wouldn’t budge. That’s when I noticed the screws. The bit of the board with the treasure map (hopefully!) under it was held down with four brass screws. I got my Swiss army knife and used the screwdriver bit to undo them.

  I was given the knife by Mum for my twelfth birthday. I am going to use it to cut my hand and form a blood bond with someone one day. And then we’ll run away and be happy together!

  Anyhow. Once I’d done it I removed the plank so I could see what was underneath. Sadly, it wasn’t a treasure map, or a suicide note from a broken-hearted girl. It was a book of Greek myths and a little leather bracelet. The bracelet had a name carved in it in odd symbols that I imagine is Greek, so I couldn’t understand it.

  But that’s not the exciting thing! The exciting thing is I have a secret place where I can hide my diaries! I can write whatever I want, and no one will find them except after I’m dead, way, way in the future when everyone will probably live in space, and they’ll be able to read all about me.

  I think there is enough room for a dozen diaries.

  I’m going to ask for a rug for Christmas, so that the secret hidey-hole will be extra safe.

  That’s it.

  I’m going to my ghost forest now, to dance in the rain and shout for Heathcliff to come and take me away.

  I wonder if he’ll ever hear me?

  34

  Athene’s Phone