ABSTRACT
On 27 December 1981, four boys leave their homes to play on the snow. In the wintery weather, Hackney Marshes’ playing fields become an irresistible plateau of bright white possibility. They build snowmen. They throw snowballs. They do what young boys do. And when they find a mysterious set of footprints they follow, wondering what could possibly make such huge impressions. Little Tommy Murray, 13, is walking just ahead of his friends when he comes upon something. At first glance, it looks like a dog. But this thing is gigantic. It turns and rears up at him, growling, all teeth and claws. Tommy screams. His friends’ mouths open in horror.
