It is half past five in the morning. I have just been woken by the sunlight shining in my eyes and a big hairy rat is lying on my stomach. I want to go home now to be in my warm, comfy bed with my family all around me. The lice gnaw at my arms and legs with giant fangs! I am freezing and lonely. It was raining last night so the mud is deep and sticky. It's going to be harder today, I think , because of the mud and because there are less people.

It is nearly six o'clock and everyone is up for once, it normally takes Sandy ages but sergeant Hanley must have woken him up. We are all in the middle of eating our porridge. It tastes like soap powder but we are all so hungry we don't mind at all. The rats here are disgusting so that's why we have to clean to try to get rid of them. The dishes are mine and john's duty. I am drying because every time I wash he always shouts at me says their dirty but I couldn't care less as long as we get food.

It is quite in No Mans Land I can hear birds singing. It's lovely. Every time we sing it sounds like a cats' choir. I am on lookout tonight – not looking forward to it though. Not much is happening today just sitting round the camp fire to keep our toes nice and toasty. Nobody is talking because they know that our day will come.

I am on lookout now. It is pitch black out here. I am freezing. My feet are soaking as if I have just walked through a deep puddle. I miss my mum and the rest of my family but my mum the most. I remember her smell –the sweet smell of perfume. Lovely. Nothing is happening out there in No Man's Land. It is quiet as a mouse. The mice are scurrying everywhere.

by Sophie Stenhouse