I was studying in my pink and white room when I heard three knocks on our cracky wooden door, my mom had told me she would fix it but she always forgets, I stood up and wobbled to the door and opened and what I saw next made me stand up in happiness.

What was standing in front of me was... Grandma!?!?!

"Hiiiiiii" I said happily as I hugged my grandma, I could smell her old fashoined "CK" perfume. "I missed you so much my grandma said as she added my mum into the hug. When my grandma finished hugging and kissing me and my mom I bolted into my room and closed all the books I had began and went put to play with my grandma. Everything was smooth until...

It was May Bank Holiday, and a sunny one at that. Mum had the barbecue already ready, fire leaping from the steel basin and into the sunny sky like orange ribbons. The smell of cooking burgers and sausages made my stomach rumble already, as I trailed out the door, dragging a wagon of toys behind me.

“Goodness, Mae, what do you have there?” Grandma asked as she saw me come into view.

I spun around in my princess dress and showed her the toys, placing them one by one on the grass in a circle. “My teddies!” I said brightly, pointing them all out. “They’re having a picnic with us.”

Grandma smiled and leant down to join me and the teddies on the lawn. “Well, is there room for two more?” She asked, winking. From her bag she produced a long box, wrapped in pink flowery paper.

“Mum, what did you get her? She has enough toys!” My mum looked over from the grill and tutted, smiling despite herself.

“Nonsense, Louise. This is a special doll,” Grandma said, pushing the box towards me. “Just for you, Mae.”

I grinned and tore the paper off. Inside sat the most beautiful doll I had ever seen; a girl with shining turquoise eyes and dark skin like mine, hair as soft as feathers, dark and tumbling across her back. A peacock feather pinned back her curls, and she had sparkly blue eyeshadow and green lipstick, matching her long, indigo silk dress. When I held her up to the sun, the dress shimmered in shades of green and purple, and the train of gold feathers on her dress glimmered. She had matching shoes too, golden heels with a single turquoise gem set into the toe.

I turned her over in my hands, entranced. She smelled, ever so faintly, of Grandma’s CK perfume.

”Grandma,” I whispered. “She’s beautiful!”

Grandma smiled at me. “The Peacock Princess. I made her myself.”

Mum came over now, staring in shock at the doll in my hands. “Mum! How much did that cost!”

Grandma only shrugged. “It was a labour of love. Take good care of her, Mae.”

And the doll’s eyes gleamed back at me with something human.

Later that night, Grandma made me her famous hot chocolate and we sat in front of the TV, talking about school and my friends. I eventually got tired and said goodnight to Mom and Grandma, then I went upstairs to my room.

I woke up again in the middle of night, hearing something outside my door. I hugged the Peacock Princess, the "most perfect doll in the world for the most perfect girl", Grandma said. I thought for a while, trying to decide whether I should get out of the warmth of my bed just to see what the noise was. Probably Tilly, my cat.

Soon, I heard Tilly shuffling around outside Mom's room. Maybe she wanted to be let in? I thought about my poor freezing cat, who might just want to sleep in the heat of Mom's bed. I got up to go and let her in. I opened my door and peeked out, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. But I couldn't seem to find Tilly.

I heard her meow angrily from downstairs, so I followed the noise and slowly went down, trying not to wake Mom and Grandma. The Peacock Princess dangled from my hand, and I dragged her down the stairs. Hopefully she didn't get mad that her beautiful hair was getting a bit tangled. I will brush it later.

The lamp was on in the living room, and the kitchen lights were on. I got up on my tip toes to check behind the couch for Tilly, but she wasn't there. I left the Peacock Princess on the couch, propping her up on cushions so she was comfortable, then I went towards the kitchen.

Grandma was in there! She was stirring something in a huge pot, a pot I had never seen Mom take out from the cabinet. It was old, rusted, and the handles were about to fall off. I wondered why Mom would ever have such an old pot; she loves her new, shiny stuff. Grandma suddenly turned around, her eyes wide. I couldn't tell why she looked so... weird.

"Mae! Go back to sleep, you wicked child. NOW." She whispered harshly. I shrunk away from her. I had never heard her speak so mean to me. What was wrong with her? "Grandma, I- I was just looking for Tilly... Have you seen her?" She stormed towards me, grabbing my shoulders to turn me away from the kitchen and lead me to the staircase. While she turned me around, I noticed another dolly sitting on the kitchen counter next to the pot. She looked like Mom. Why didn't she give her to Mom when she gave me the Peacock Princess?

Grandma pushed me into my room and told me sleep again before closing the door behind her. I pressed my ear to the door and listened to her go back downstairs. I sighed, hoping Grandma would be normal in the morning and Tilly would be found again.

I dragged myself into my bed, tugging my blanket over my head and wrapping myself up like a baby. I turned onto my right side, where I found the Peacock Princess lying next to me.