Editing Chocky (section)

==Plot summary==
David Gore becomes concerned that his twelve-year-old son, Matthew, is too old to have an [[imaginary friend]]. His concerns deepen as Matthew becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion, whom he calls "Chocky". As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary but is an alien consciousness communicating with Matthew's mind. The situation attracts the interest of shadowy government forces.

"Chocky" eventually reveals that it is a scout sent from its home planet (where there is only one sex) in search of new planets to colonise, or newly emerging intelligent life that it can subtly guide. Chocky, talking through Matthew, explains to David that in becoming overly attached to Matthew and saving him and his sister from drowning (and thus interfering with events on Earth) it has violated the rules of its scout mission and must end its link with him completely. Its further work on Earth will be conducted in a much more covert manner.