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immediately, but by digging their hands and feet in as deeply as they could, they found an inner crust that was considerably stronger. Slowly, David and Jenny managed to work their way up, although a continuous shower of earth splattered back into the pool as the darkness closed in.
    Nevertheless, they finally reached the top,panting and gasping. There was a narrow lip to the high banks. With considerable care they might just be able to inch their way along.
    David swayed slightly, as he began to walk towards the crumpled figure of Sid, who stood with his arms ineffectually outstretched. The pool was a brooding presence below.
    Jenny remembered that her brother had always been afraid of heights, but this was the only way back to the tunnel.
    David came to a halt on the narrowest part of the surround. “I can see them,” he whispered.
    â€œThey’re waiting for me.”
    With horror, Jenny realised that it wasn’t just her brother’s fear of heights making him react this way, but the force of the ghost children. Maybe they were only playing, but their game was deadly. She stared down, trying to control the terror that was surging through her again, but could see nothing, nobody, only the dark, still water.
    â€œThere’s no one there,” she said to David gently, trying to sound as comforting as their mother. “No one at all.”
    But David remained motionless, his shoulders hunched, staring down at the pool.
    â€œGo to Sid,” said Jenny urgently. “He’s the one who’s waiting for you.”
    â€œThat’s right.” Sid’s voice was calm, suddenlymuch stronger. “Come straight to me, Dave, and don’t look down.”
    Slowly, David started to inch towards him, but the phosphorous glow began to shimmer from the pool again. Jenny knew with deadly certainty that May and Leslie’s game with Gumbo was over.

Chapter Eleven
    The surface of the pool heaved with pale light and the ghost children rose up, their white faces glowing. Gumbo followed, swimming strongly for the bank and scrambling up the other side, shivering and exhausted.
    May’s and Leslie’s faces were twisted in wilful pleasure as they gazed up at the twins, focusing their attention on David.
    â€œCome and play,” said May.
    â€œWe can have a good game,” called Leslie.
    â€œDown here,” they said together. Then they began to chant:
    â€œBoys and girls, come out to play,
    The moon does shine as bright as day.
    Leave your supper and leave your sleep,
    And join your playfellows in the –
    Pool!”
    May and Leslie shouted with laughter, their eyes shining.
    â€œI’m coming,” David said slowly. “I’m coming to play.”
    â€œNo!” Jenny shouted. “Don’t move!” Shegazed beseechingly at Sid. “Do something,” she said. “You’ve got to
do
something.”
    â€œCome on, Dave,” said Sid, his voice shaking. “They’re only playing. Now just you walk over to me.”
    But David was still staring down into the luminous eyes below him. He looked coiled, ready to jump back into the pool, and Jenny, panic-stricken, continued to plead with him.
    â€œDavid, you must go on! You must go on to Sid. Just a few steps and then you’ll be safe.”
    â€œThat’s right, Dave.” Sid’s voice was now full of authority. “Don’t take no notice of them two.”
    Below them, the light continued to spread, becoming a sickly yellow colour. May and Leslie bubbled with laughter and chanted again:
    â€œBoys and girls, come out to play.
    The moon does shine as bright as day —
    â€œCome on, David!” Their voices were as high and as thin and as cold as could be. “Come and play.”
    â€œShut up!” Suddenly Jenny lost her temper, and the rage boiled inside her. Then she remembered how she and David had focused their wills on Mrs Garland in the Roxy – an episode