Two reflective unblinking saucers stared right into him. Night-eyes.
Startling. Yellow and piercing.
Archie felt chilled, rooted, enchanted.
Eyes that hovered in the dark.
But he knew immediately.

His mother drinks too much, his father is a telly addict and his baby sister died a year ago. Theres little joy in Archies life: he rarely goes to school and is left to his own devices. His only friend is Rory, but Rory is ‘trapped inside a tree’.

Each week Archie stays with Uncle Craig and Aunty Brenda deep in Midmar Forest. His life turns round when his uncle trains a long-eared owl which he gives to Archie, who names the creature ‘Free’.

All is not lost, for Free brings joy and hope into Archies life…