Charlie Bone and the Hidden King

  "Blocked," said Charlie.

  While they ran up Filbert Street together, Charlie tried to get more information out of Billy. Why hadn't he enjoyed his stay with the Browns? And what had happened to Rembrandt?

  "I enjoyed most of it," panted Billy. "But Benjamin's mom and dad asked me so many questions, and Runner Bean and Rembrandt kept arguing, and it's really tiring listening to animals argue."

  "It must be," said Charlie sympathetically.

  "Runner Bean's so boisterous," Billy went on. "Rembrandt's quite exhausted."

  "Did you leave him with the Browns?"

  "No, he's in my pocket.

  Charlie stopped running. "Billy, you can't keep a rat in the dorm."

  Billy drew up beside him. "I know, I know. I'll give him to Cook when we're in the cafeteria."

  Charlie thought this could be risky, but said no more.

  "Runner Bean's not a very nice dog, you know," Billy muttered as they began to run again.

  "He's a great dog," said Charlie. "You're just looking at it from a rat's point of view."

  "Don't see how else I can look at it," argued Billy.

  The blue academy bus arrived at the top of Filbert Street and the two boys raced toward it.

  When they got to school, they found that Dorcas Loom had done her worst. The story of Charlie and the animals had spread through the academy. Every coatroom was full of it. Charlie Bone had been seen with all his friends' pets, so where were the others?

  At first break, when Charlie stepped outside, a large gang approached him. He saw Dorcas and Joshua with a Branko twin on either side of them. And Charlie's old enemy, Damian Smerk, was there, with Bragger Braine and Rupe Small behind him. There were at least ten others, some of them fourth and fifth years whom Charlie only knew by sight. Joshua's magnetism had obviously drawn them together. They weren't the sort who would normally bother with a mere second year, like Charlie.

  Asa Pike pushed his way to the front of the group. "So, Charlie Bone, what have you got to say for yourself?" he snarled.

  Before Charlie could speak, a gust of wind rushed around his ankles and Asa staggered backward as a blast of cold air practically knocked him off his feet.

  Behind Charlie, a familiar voice said, "He's got nothing to say. So get lost!"

  AMY IS BEWITCHED

  Charlie found himself standing between Tancred and Lysander. Their presence was very welcome.

  "Keep out of this, Torsson," Asa spluttered through mouthfuls of cold air. "You haven't even got a pet."

  "Well, I have," Lysander shouted.

  "We want to know what he's done with our animals," screeched Dorcas, clinging to Bragger Braine's sturdy arm.

  "Tell us!" Idith and Inez shouted above the wailing wind. "Tell us! Tell us! Tell us!"

  Charlie covered his ears. He could feel the twins' eyes upon him. Lysander and Tancred felt the force of their black-eyed stare, too. All three took a step back, and then another. Not to be outdone, Tancred tried another trick. A sudden torrent of rain fell onto the chanting crowd, soaking them to the skin.

  Gasping with shock, the gang began to scatter, leaving the endowed children standing together in a resolute line. Asa, Joshua, Dorcas, and the twins, their hair dripping, their clothes sodden, and their faces gleaming with water, glared at Charlie, who couldn't stop himself from smiling.

  Without any warning, Joshua Tilpin launched himself straight at Charlie. Caught off guard, Charlie fell to the ground with Joshua on top of him. The two boys rolled together, over and over, in the wet grass.

  Deciding that Charlie's size gave him a distinct advantage, Tancred and Lysander allowed the fight to continue. Joshua was such a weedy boy, they felt he didn't stand a chance. The others, however, were convinced that Joshua's endowment would give him the strength he needed to beat the truth out of Charlie Bone.

  "Tell us! Tell us, Charlie Bone," they droned. "Where are the animals?"

  "I don't know." Charlie landed a punch on Joshua's puny shoulder.

  Three more boys arrived on the scene: Gabriel, breathless and chewing his fist; Fidelio, mouthing the words,

  "What's going on?"; and Billy, creeping between the two of them and anxiously swaying from foot to foot.

  Fighting Joshua was like heaving a ton of bricks about. How could such a small boy weigh so much? Charlie wondered. He pummeled his adversary's back, he pulled at his skinny arms, kicked his twiglike legs. But Joshua seemed to suck all the energy out of him. When he lay on Charlie's chest, Charlie felt as though a massive wall were crushing the life out of him. He struggled to get his breath, his hands clawing the air, and then, with one mighty effort, he bunched up his fist and punched it into Joshua's face.

  "Aieeee!" Joshua's screams were unearthly. He rolled off Charlie, clutching his nose.

  Charlie staggered to his feet. He felt five hands patting him heavily on the back and almost fell on his face again.

  Lysander gave a whoop of victory. "Well done, Charlie!"

  "Serves the little scab right," added Tancred.

  Joshua was still on the ground, sniveling miserably. Dorcas helped him up and he stood glaring at Charlie as he wiped his bloody nose. "One day, I'll get you, Charlie Bone," he grunted. His tone was full of menace, but he looked so pathetic, Fidelio burst into laughter.

  "HOW DARE YOU!" No one had noticed Miss Chrystal striding up. "You, Fidelio, of all people! How dare you laugh at an injured boy!" She turned to the others. "What's been going on?"

  Everyone shouted at once. One side accusing Charlie, the other denying he had done anything wrong.

  Miss Chrystal held up her hand. "Asa, you're the head prefect. Why didn't you stop the fight?"

  Asa was momentarily at a loss. At length he said, "I tried, but these kids" - he indicated Dorcas and the twins - "wanted to know why those kids" - he pointed at Charlie - "had got their animals back. It's generally believed, Miss, that Charlie Bone has got something to do with all those pets disappearing."

  Miss Chrystal swung around and stared coldly at Charlie. "Have you?"

  Charlie was shocked by the expression on Miss Chrystal's normally pretty face. She looked cold and spiteful. Her pale blue eyes were half closed and her shapely mouth had become a thin, hard line.

  "I haven't got anything to do with animals coming or going," Charlie claimed.

  Miss Chrystal stared at him for a bit longer and then marched off, without another word. Curiously, Joshua ran after her. Grabbing her arm, he cried, "I'm hurt. You've got to do something."

  Miss Chrystal stopped and spoke to him in a low voice. Charlie couldn't hear every word, but he thought she said, "Pull your self together, Josh. Remember who we are."

  Joshua's arm dropped to his side and he looked down, biting his lip.

  The horn sounded for the end of break and, as everyone made for the door, Charlie saw Miss Chrystal fondle Joshua's hair. She looked up and caught Charlie watching her. This time her expression was one of outright hatred.

  "Round one to you, Charlie," said Fidelio as they stepped into the hall. "Well done!"

  Something told Charlie that there were many more rounds to come and it was by no means certain that he would win the next one.

  Charlie's mother was, at that moment, helping Mrs. Gunn to clean up her chaotic kitchen. For all its mess and muddle, Amy found it a very comforting place. Mrs. Gunn had become her closest, perhaps her only, friend, and Amy often popped over to see her after work.

  Amy picked up a guitar that was balanced precariously on top of ten assorted mugs on the kitchen table. She placed the guitar beside a double bass standing in the pantry. Then, skidding over a knife, she bent and retrieved it along with three other knives, two dirty spoons, and an apple core.

  "I don't know how you do it, Chloe."

  Amy dropped the silverware into a sink already piled high with dishes. "Eight children to clean up after. As soon as you've finished they'll be back for tea, and you've got to start all over again."

  "Not Fid
elio." Mrs. Gunn brushed cornflakes off three of the chairs. "He's at Bloor's, remember. And Felix is away a lot now, with his band, so that only leaves six." She removed a flute and three music books from the countertop and tucked them into the washing machine.

  "Will those be safe in there?" Amy asked anxiously.

  "Safe as houses," said Chloe. "Pudding's inside and she'd let me know if I started a wash."

  A large gray cat jumped out of the washing machine.

  "Oh, well," Chloe said cheerfully. "Let's have our coffee."

  Amy wiped a blob of butter off one of the chairs and sat down. Chloe sang as she filled the coffeepot. She sang most of the time, so did her husband, a music teacher at the local school. Every one of their children was musical, but Fidelio was the star. A musical genius. Chloe knew that her fourth child would go far.

  Outside the kitchen window a row of green herbs could be seen, sprouting from their terra-cotta pots. Alas, the herb that Amy had come for, had vanished.

  "Who would have taken that vervain?" asked Amy, sipping her coffee.

  "No idea," said Chloe. "It was there two nights ago. I used some in a salad. I'm so sorry, Amy. What are you going to do next? You can't leave your mother in the bathtub indefinitely."

  Amy gave a sigh of despair. "Oh, Chloe. I don't know what to do."

  "I think you should go see the manager at Kingdom's. If someone tampered with those prawns, the store is responsible."

  "They say they're not."

  "Then tell the police," Chloe advised.

  "I can't. Don't you see - it's . . . it's a spell. Dr. Tanaka said as much. The police can't deal with spells."

  Amy drained her cup. "I'd better go, Chloe. I don't like leaving Maisie for too long. She just might melt, and she'll be so frightened if she's all alone."

  "Especially if that mother-in-law of yours is on the prowl," said Chloe grimly.

  Amy intended to go straight home and yet, when she found herself walking down High Street, something made her turn and look at a splendid building on the other side of the road. Green marble pillars stood on either side of the entrance, and every one of the ninety-nine windows sparkled with a soft light, the sort of light that tells the world the room beyond holds treasures that most people can only dream of.

  Amy crossed the road. She stepped into the recess behind the pillars. Green and gold marble swirled above her head and beneath her feet. Two doormen wearing green coats and shining top hats stood on either side of a gleaming oak door. Their white-gloved fingers rested lightly on the large bronze door handles.

  "Are you going in, madam?" asked one of the doormen in a bored voice.

  "Yes, I am," said Amy decisively.

  He was obliged to open the door.

  Amy walked in. She had only twice been inside Kingdom's. Once, long ago, with her husband, Lyell. It was here that he had spent a whole month's salary on the diamond ring that Amy still wore on the third finger of her left hand. Surprising tears came to her eyes and she quickly brushed them away.

  All around her, velvet-covered counters displayed exquisite jewelry, silk scarves, and extravagantly packed oils, creams, and perfumes. Handwritten cards with names that Amy had never heard of, and prices she dared not think of, peeked shyly from behind leather boxes, colored bottles, glittering tins, and velvet bags.

  Chandeliers hung low over every counter, casting a brilliant light on the displays beneath, while the assistants stood in shadow. Only a pair of pale hands could occasionally be glimpsed, hovering over the counters.

  Amy wondered if the hands had been especially chosen.

  She decided to approach the hands that dealt with jewelry. She was, after all, wearing a ring that had once nestled on that very counter. Leaning under the chandelier, she peered up at the shadowy face of someone blond, who looked remarkably severe.

  "My name is Mrs. Bone," said Amy, "and I'd like to see the manager."

  "Why?" asked the blond person.

  "We've had a case of food poisoning."

  "Food's in the basement." The blonde's expression didn't change.

  "I know, but I want the manager," Amy insisted.

  The blonde sighed, picked up a receiver discreetly covered in velvet, and pressed a knob. "I've got a lady here who wants to see the manager," she said in a superior voice.

  Amy couldn't see the twelve cameras situated in the dark, faraway ceiling. She didn't hear them swivel smartly to focus on her. But, all at once, she found herself caught in a fierce beam of light that came from somewhere high above.

  "Oh!" cried Amy. "What did I do?"

  The assistant didn't reply. She was still talking into the velvet-covered phone.

  Amy didn't know that she was being watched on twelve different monitors by someone on the top floor. She was unaware that even in her shabby winter coat, without makeup or properly combed hair, she was still beautiful.

  "The owner wants to see you." The blond assistant smacked her phone back onto the counter.

  "The owner? I didn't know he lived here. I just wanted to talk to the manager."

  "Top floor," snapped the assistant. "The elevator's over there." She pointed to a distant light.

  "Thank you." Amy began to wish she hadn't come into Kingdom's. What could anyone do, after all? They couldn't break spells. Unless, of course, there was a sorcerer hidden somewhere . . . on the top floor?

  She reached the elevator and pressed a button. The door slid open and she stepped into a small room with mirrored walls, a marble floor, and a ceiling decorated with golden birds. Birds that looked remarkably real - apart from the gold paint.

  Amy got out on the top floor. She was now standing almost ankle-deep in black fur. What sort of fur she couldn't guess. A door opened to her right and a man walked out, the most handsome man Amy had ever seen. She patted her hair, fiddled with her coat, and glanced at her scruffy shoes.

  The man gave a small nod. "Mrs. Bone?" He had brown hair that somehow looked gold. His face was tanned and his eyes were a deep olive green.

  "Yes, that's right, Mrs. Bone," Amy said timidly.

  The man bowed and, sweeping out an arm, indicated that she should enter his office.

  Amy plowed through the black fur and walked into a room carpeted, this time, in white fur.

  "Oh," she said, looking down, "how . . ."

  "Har . . . ahem . . . Hart Noble." The man took her hand and bent over it like a hungry animal. "The carpet is arctic bear."

  Amy gasped. "But I thought . . .

  "Please sit down." He gently removed her coat.

  Amy sat on the edge of a sofa that appeared to be covered in - could it be pony skin?

  "Tell me your troubles." Hart sat beside her. He was wearing a white silk shirt and a vest that must have been sealskin.

  While Amy told him about frozen Maisie and the suspect prawn, Hart took her hand and gazed into her eyes. She felt she was drowning in a deep green pool. At the end of her story, he got up and retrieved two glasses of champagne from an ivory table at the back of the room.

  Amy sipped her drink and looked about her. The room was entirely walled in mirrors, and every piece of furniture appeared to have been made from an animal. Tusks, bones, skins, feathers, and furs. If she had listened very carefully, she might have heard their cries. But Amy was falling under a spell.

  A second glass of champagne was poured. When Amy looked at her reflection she saw someone she barely recognized: a beautiful woman with shining hair and sparkling eyes; even her old pink sweater looked new.

  Hart brought her a plate of hors d'oeuvres covered in a spicy glaze. Amy devoured them, moaning with delight. When he told her that they were made of eagle meat she didn't bat an eye.

  He persuaded her to talk about her life, and Amy found herself remembering things she had forgotten for years. She didn't notice the light fading from the windows, and only realized how long she had been talking when she found herself sitting in candlelight.

  "My goodness, it must be late." Amy
got to her feet, rather unsteadily.

  Hart helped her put her coat on and escorted her to the elevator. "Adieu," he said, elegantly blowing her a kiss.

  Amy walked through the store in a daze. Outside the sidewalk sparkled with frost. "Beautiful," she said aloud. "I'm walking on stars."

  "Stars?" said an old lady, passing by. "It's perishing cold, that's what it is. You've been bewitched."

  When Amy got home she went straight up to her room and took off her diamond ring.

  A stab of pain made Charlie wince.

  "What's up? Eaten too fast?" joked Fidelio.

  They were sitting in the cafeteria after lunch. Everyone else had left, except for Billy, who was at that very moment furtively handing Rembrandt to Cook.

  "I think my mom would call it indigestion," said Charlie, rubbing his chest. But he wasn't sure what it was. And he didn't know why, when the pain had gone, he felt as if something precious had been lost.

  Cook came around the corner and sat at their table.

  "What's going on, Charlie?" she asked. "Rumors are flying thick and fast. They say that some of the animals have come back, very particular animals, in fact. Runner Bean has been mentioned, along with Lysander's parrot, Emma's duck, Gabriel's gerbils, et cetera. How come all the others are still lost?"

  "Blessed's still here," Charlie said evasively.

  "Of course he is. I made sure of that. He's scared stiff of something, though."

  "I don't think Charlie can tell us anything," said Fidelio. "Even I don't know."

  Cook shook her head. "You haven't gone and sworn a silly oath, have you, Charlie?"

  "Not exactly," said Charlie.

  "Well, take care, my dear. There's trouble brewing. You'd better find an answer for the Boors or they'll force it out of you in a very unfriendly fashion." Cook returned to her kitchen with one hand over the large pocket in her apron. "All right, you'll get some supper in a minute," she said to the pocket as she disappeared through the swinging door.

  The trouble that was brewing came to boil after supper. Instead of dismissing the children when they had finished eating, Dr. Bloor clapped his hands for silence and began to pace around the platform that held the staff table.