Suzie trudged up the creaky stairs furiously. Why did Mrs Kilding have so many rules? Why was she so strict? Outside, thunder roared as loud as a lion.Inside, Suzie could smell something yummy from downstairs but she was too annoyed to race down gobble it all.Her door slammed shut.

Life at home and school were pretty much the same for Suzie except school was worse.She had to sit at the back of the classroom where she couldn’t see the tiny writing of her teacher all the way at the front.At lunch, Suzie barely had any space to sit down let alone any friends.Mrs Kilding was kind enough but could be kinder.She’d give her less of the amount in her ration book,hoard all the fire in the winter and have a strict dress code in the house.Suzie would have to face it. Her new life isn’t what she thought.

Over time, Suzie began to realise that Mrs Kilding had been a little bit mysterious the past few days and Suzie got sent to bed earlier now.So one night when Suzie went upstairs instead of going to bed she hid behind the cupboard.It seemed like Mrs Kilding was heading over to the countryside. Outside, the night’s mist howled with the twinkling stars.Inside, Suzie could feel a cool breeze flowing through her bony arms.

Suzie couldn’t wait anymore. She had to find out what Mrs Kilding was doing,but how? Suzie waited. Just when Mrs Kilding left she raced for the door.It was locked.Luckily, she knew where the spare key was and twisted it as fast as a snake’s bite.Mrs Kilding wasn’t far ahead.Suzie approached.

“What are you doing here!” Mrs Kilding shouts,shocked.Suzie explained herself.It turns out that Mrs Kilding was hiding a snow leopard.

“This is Alexa.She reminds me of my son,Alex fighting the war.”

Suzie gasped.