Katy had just managed to get into her hiding place and squeeze into a comfortable position when she heard the key turn in the lock and the latch slide across the front door.

     She quietly slid the hook into place and rewarded her fast thinking with a sigh of relief. All she could do now was wait and hope she wouldn’t be discovered. If she was found she knew it wouldn’t be pleasant. She heard the door click as it closed, and took a deep breath as she heard the footsteps climbing the stairs.

     As each creak of the stairs got nearer, her heart started beating faster. At one point Katy thought it was going to burst out of her chest, and it was so loud she thought the sound would surely betray her hiding place. Amidst the sound of her heart beating in her ears, she heard him shout her name. His voice chilled her and she felt her body shiver. Her stomach rose into her throat and she thought she was going to be sick or pass out. It didn’t help that she was almost curled up in a ball on the shelf of the airing cupboard. The tank was just below her, and as it was winter and the fire was built up, it was so hot and dry in there. Every part of her body ached with fear and the pain of being confined to such a tiny hiding place. But she had no choice. It was the only place where she knew she would be safe. She was twelve years old. She should be safe in her own home, but she wasn’t.

     Why was she hiding, afraid and trembling? It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. Here she was hiding in a cupboard, frightened for her safety, but it was the only way to stop him.

     It was a school day, but Katy had woken up with a sore throat and a temperature again. She’d gone to school the previous day, but been sent home ill, so when her mother had seen she wasn’t well, she’d kept her home.

     Katy had begged her to let her go. She didn’t want to be at home. She argued that her mother would get into trouble because she wasn’t old enough to be left alone and she couldn’t afford to have time off work to look after her. Her mother said it would be alright because she would get someone to call in and check on her. She instructed her to go to bed and stay there.

     Katy really didn’t want to stay at home.

     She had her own reasons. On a different occasion, she’d been at home and HE’d let himself in. As a family friend, he and his wife often called in to keep an eye on her and her brother and sister, when they were ill. It was because of this, that a few days ago, she’d had the idea of putting a hook and a catch on the inside of the tank cupboard. That way, she’d have somewhere to hide if she ever needed to. By now she was getting used to planning and preparing ahead, just in case. She’d had no choice. Many of her nights were spent sleepless through either nightmares or busy planning ways to outwit him.

     She was so pleased she’d had the fore-thought on this occasion, but as she lay there, hardly daring to breathe, she thought she’d never feel safe again. Silent, salty tears fell down her cheeks, leaving a wet track along the way, and she tried to recall how she’d ended up in this situation. Her mind wandered.

     Alarm bells were ringing by now and it didn’t matter that his own daughter was her age and that it wasn’t right.  He seemed to be driven my some sick lust that pushed him to try a bit harder each time. He would even take chances when family members were around and touch her.

     Then one day he actually slapped her backside as she passed him in the kitchen. Katy had been petrified, but more frightened that someone had seen and that she’d be blamed. He was very clever. He knew this and the more frightened she became, the more powerful she believed he felt.

     Gradually, Katy became a nervous wreck. Having to plan and scheme so that she would never be alone with him or in the same room for too long. His own daughter, Claire, was her best friend and it was so hard for her to try and prevent her finding out that her dad was a pervert. What he actually was didn’t come to light until she was much older. The term Paedophile wasn’t around then as it is now.

     He was a Paedophile though, without a doubt and she knew it.  It would be four long, torturous years before she could hope to shake him off. Oh, he was very careful, choosing his moments with precision. Usually times when she’d be relaxed and off her guard.

     One time for example, was when she was going out for the day with her best friend’s family. Katy, sighed heavily as she remembered. She was about eleven years old at the time. Her friend Claire had invited her along on an outing with   herself and her family.

     Katy had only agreed to go because she thought all the family would be going, which included Claire’s mother. But she had decided not to go and so it was just, Katy, Claire, her little sister Debbie and HIM. Katy was very uneasy at first, but when she found out where they were going and that it was a public place, she relaxed and thought HE wouldn’t dare try anything there. It was too late to say no, anyway. Her parents had made their own arrangements around this trip and as there was no-one at home, she had no choice but to go. Besides, she thought, it was a lovely day. The sun was shining and they were going to be eating out. Claire’s mum had prepared a lovely picnic and as she and Debbie would be there, Katy thought nothing could go wrong. She thought she would be safe.

     They travelled for about thirty minutes in the car, until they reached their destination. Everyone picked up something to carry and Katy grabbed Debbie’s hand, as well as the blanket they would need to sit on. Claire had insisted on bringing the family dog, so she had it on the leash and was carrying a container of food in the other hand. Her father was carrying everything else, including the flask and bottles of juice.

     Katy didn’t feel threatened, as he was too busy trying not to drop things as he locked the car door and followed behind them. She didn’t feel he was watching her and felt happy and relaxed. She was just a child and wasn’t designed yet for all this responsibility and anxiety, so she just got carried away with the joy of it all. Being with her best friend and her cute little sister, she felt really good.

     They all walked up a slope and came to a grassy area. The sun was beating down on them and it was getting quite warm, so a place was found under a big tree for shade.

     Everything was going so well. Everyone was hungry so they decided they would eat first. Claire and Katy spread the blanket out and while her father went for a quick walk with the dog and her sister, they set out the picnic. Laughing and giggling as they did so.

    As they were at the top of a slope, they had a competition to see who could roll the furthest distance. Claire won the first time, but Katy beat her the second and third time. The two girls spotted the others making their way over to them, so they went back up the slope and sat down ready to eat. It was very warm and they were grateful for the shade of the tree.

     Katy remembered him saying it was an oak tree and that it was very old. To be honest, she wasn’t really taking much notice of what he was saying as she was helping Debbie peel the skin on her banana. She was a sweet little thing with beautiful blue eyes and Katy was very fond of her. She didn’t hear the rest of the conversation after that either, as she was too busy day dreaming. She had seen a rabbit nearby and was mesmerised as she watched it.

     As she drifted back to reality she saw her friend and her sister walking away, into the woods. Katy shouted to Claire and asked where they were going, but she must not have heard her because she didn’t reply. Instinctively, Katy jumped up to follow them, but as she did so she was pulled back by Claire’s father. She was on her feet by now and he was standing, half bent, looking down at her. He had hold of her arm and his grip was like a vice. Immediately, Katy knew she was in trouble and her stomach lurched.