SOLVED. YA - British (I think) adolescent runs away or goes to visit relative who isn't home, lives in back yard of relative's house [s]

[Jessica]

I read this when I was a young adult so I assume it was a YA book. A young girl either runs away or goes to visit a relative but they're not home, and for some reason she ends up living in their yard. I think she gets a little batty at some point. And I think it takes place in England. Thanks!

[Anna]

It sounds a lot like The Girl Who Ran Away by Joan G. Robinson; also called 'Charley'.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Jessica, are you still looking for this? Was it The Girl Who Ran Away/Charley?

[Angharad]

If you're still looking for this, it's kind of a long shot, but Nina Bawden's Humbug has a girl that runs away and lives in a glass 'folly' for a few days.

[Jessica]

I completely forgot that I posted this! I think it might be Charley. I'm going to reread it and see. Thank you, everyone!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Jessica--be sure to come back and let us know if that is the correct book.

[Wren]

i think of the kneebone boy by ellen potter

[Ann aka Iftcan]

The Kneebone Boy for Julie's suggestion's click.

[Jessica]

It was Charley. Tracked it down through my library and just finished it. Really good, and also really strange to re-read something from 35 years ago. Thanks so much for your help figuring it out!