The Uninvited

Look at me.’ I take a breath, open my eyes.‘Listen. I’m going to phone Felicity. Mysister. She’s a nurse. Get Freddydownstairs. Keep him in the kitchen tillthe ambulance arrives.’Yes. Freddy is not a stranger or atokoloshi. He is Freddy K and he ishungry and the part of me that can functioncan go and supervise him until helpcomes. Stephanie punches at her phoneand goes into the living-room.‘Come down now, Freddy!’ I shout. Hemust have gone back to his room. I shoutagain and he reappears. He looks verysmall. His face is flushed and pink. Iwonder if he has a fever. Might a feverexplain what has happened? What he did?‘Come down. You’ll have to step pastMum. We’ll get an ambulance for her. I’ll