"Millie! Can you come downstairs? We're going to visit Aunty Ivy and Uncle Theo!" Millie's mum called up the stairs. Millie pulled on her white and furry Christmas jumper and scowled. Aunty Ivy! She was mean, a mean old twisted hag. Never, ever go to aunt Ivy's house.

"Millie! Come on, we don't want to be late!"

Coming mum!" Millie replied as she bounced down the stairs.

It was Christmas eve. Millie, her mum, her dad and her annoying younger sister Phoebe were going to Ivy and Theo's for a visit.Phoebe and Millie didn't like Ivy, who was their dad's sister. Their dad didn't like her either. However, their mum liked Ivy and always had a nice girly chat whenever they went round. Normally, dad would take the girls into the bedroom and they would watch a film with their cousins Adam and Holly.

Millie was 10 years old, Phoebe was 8. They lived in a flat in Oxfordshire where they were very happy. They had blonde plaits and cheery faces full of freckles. Every Christmas eve they would see their cousins Holly and Adam in their roomy house around the corner. They got on well and were of a similar age.

When they arrived at the house, Aunt Ivy opened the door and welcomed them in. Phoebe hid behind Millie when she saw a big hairy spider hanging on the doorknob. That was not a Christmas welcome. Aunt Ivy had short grey plaits and wore a long, dusty, green dress which she strolled around in. She gestured towards the dusty hallway and said in her croaky voice, " Welcome dears. It is nice to see you again. Oh, and I love your jumper, Millie my girl."

Millie hugged her mum. She was her girl, not Aunt Ivy's. Mum and Dad walked in greeting Ivy. Phoebe squeaked and followed them into the hallway. Millie took a deep breath and walked in.

Then, she gasped. In a state of shock, her mouth fell open. Something terrible had happened...