Imaginary Friend

"Bootle's grumpy, I shut him in the kitchen," Timmy said as Daddy bustled him from the house. I was relieved. Our boy blamed all dreadful behaviour on the invisible blue monkey he claimed was his best friend.

I went to make tea. Oddly, the kitchen door was shut. As I fumbled with the kettle, I felt a slight breeze.

I turned to see an electric blue gorilla sitting at the table. He looked haggard.

Bootle puffed on his cigar. He stared at me through clouds of smoke as he exhaled.

"Mrs Billesley," he said eventually. "We really need to talk."