The Cellar

On the day Mr and Mrs Songoli's young son fails to come home from school, fourteen-year-old Muna's fortunes change for the better. Until then her bedroom was a dank windowless cellar - her activities confined to cooking and cleaning. Over the years she had grown used to being abused by the Songoli family - to being their slave.

Now that Scotland Yard has swarmed the Songoli house to investigate the disappearance of the son, Muna is given a real bedroom, real clothing and treated at least nominally as a daughter. But her world remains confined. She is not allowed to go outside, doesn't know how to read or write, and cannot speak English. At least that's what the Songolis believe. Before long it becomes clear that young Muna is far cleverer - and her plans more terrifying - than the Songolis or anyone else can ever imagine.