Into the silence I step. I sense I ‘m not supposed to be here; perhaps the place is forbidden to children. But I have dared to step over the threshold through the rusty iron gate – and I am all alone in this secret place.

There is only the silence and my ears can no longer pick up any sounds for a long moment. My eyes cautiously dart about to recognise and help me find objects to focus on.

It seems like the sun has gone down in here and I feel only my own hammering heartbeat and then my sharp in-drawing breath brings me to numbness. I feel as if I stepped into a black hole where nothing more can reach my senses.

I breathe out and my ears like prised molluscs open to suck in the hushed rush of noises. I hear a fountain trickle somewhere near and…