A woman lying in bed with the duvet drawn up to her nose. Eyes peering out in agitation.

I heard it that time. There's definitely someone out there. It sound like to front door's wide open. It's those kids. No, that's stupid, they wouldn't be up at this time of night. Is it cold in here? My door is rattling like crazy, and the window. There is someone moving about. What time is it? Three-fifteen! Oh god. I read somewhere that most burglaries happen between three and four in the morning. No, it must be the wind. Anyway, I'm too tired to get up. I don't want to go back to sleep though. That dream will come back. I don't know which is worse. Being awake or being attacked by giant locusts.

I'm sure there's someone there. Why can't I sleep? Something must have woken me apart from the gunshot. No, that was in the dream. But I don't just wake up in the middle of the night for no reason.

There's someone on the stairs. That can't have been anything other than a footstep. The toilet! Oh you stupid bitch! They must be back from the nightclub. Well at least I'm not alone in the house now.

Three-thirty. Right, the noises are explained, so go to sleep

(She spends a few seconds tossing and turning in the duvet)

I can't. The picture. Still in my head. I don't want to go back to the locusts.

I don't think this house likes me. I haven't had nightmares like these since I was a kid. Not even my last landlord gave me such bad dreams. Ugh, slimy git. I don't like it. I feel like I'm five years old again. Waking up scared in the middle of the night. Grow up! God, how old am I?

Maybe I'm mad? No-one my age still has bad dreams when they're normal. Not like these anyway.

What the hell are they playing at? Can't a girl get any peace. I have to be up in four hours.

Copyright © Jo Blair