Children of the Red King Book 01 Midnight for Charlie Bone Read online

  Aunt Eustacia took a step backward. "What a horrible dog," she said.

  "Benjamin, get it out of the kitchen at once."

  "I can't," said Benjamin. "He likes to eat at the same time as me."

  "Ha!" Aunt Eustacia flung open the cabinets and, finding a can of dog food, she spooned some into a bowl marked DOG and put the bowl outside in the hallway "Now," she commanded, shaking a finger at Runner Bean,

  "eat!" She pointed at the bowl.

  The dog rolled his eyes and moved closer to Benjamin.

  Benjamin decided it would be best to avoid an argument with Aunt Eustacia this early on, so he leaned down to Runner Bean and said,

  "Runner, go and eat your dinner. I'm OK."

  Runner Bean grunted and padded out to the hall, where he could be heard gobbling up the dog food. Benjamin wished he could have eaten dog food. It had to be tastier than the disgusting brown broth that he'd been given. 296

  When he'd finally managed to get all the broth down his throat, Benjamin was sent to bed.

  "School tomorrow,? said Aunt Eustacia. "You'd better get in early tonight."

  ?Are you going to sleep here?" asked Benjamin.

  "Naturally" said the grim-looking woman. "I'm your sitter." Benjamin remembered that he had to pretend Tolly Twelve Bells was still in the house. "You stay down here, tonight," he told Runner Bean. He got the dog's basket and put it beside the cellar door.

  Runner Bean looked puzzled, but stepped obediently in his basket. Benjamin went to bed, but he lay awake, waiting for Aunt Eustacia to come upstairs. When he was sure she was in bed at last, he crept down to the phone in the hall and dialed Charlie's number.

  "Hello!" said Maisie's cheerful voice.

  "It's..." Benjamin got no further for a dark figure had appeared at the top of the stairs.

  297

  ?And what do you think you're doing?" asked Aunt Eustacia. At the other end of the line, Maisie's voice went on saying, "Hello!

  Hello! Who is it?"

  "Put down that phone," commanded Aunt Eustacia.

  "I just wanted to call my friend," Benjamin said. At this point, Runner Bean began to bark.

  "It's nearly midnight," shouted Aunt Eustacia. "Get to bed at once!"

  "Yes," said Benjamin miserably He replaced the receiver and trudged up to bed.

  On Monday morning, Charlie had to leave the house early A blue academy bus stopped at the top of Filbert Street at seven forty-five precisely; it spent another hour collecting musical children from various parts of the city

  So Charlie didn't see Benjamin before he left, and barely heard Maisie when she called after him, "Benjamin called last night. At least I think it was him because of the barking." It was only when he was sitting 297

  298

  on the bus that Charlie recalled Maisie's words and wondered what Benjamin had wanted.

  He ran into Fidelio as they were filing through the academy entrance, and they agreed to meet during the break and talk to Olivia Vertigo. Charlie didn't feel like a new boy anymore. Today he knew exactly where to go and how to find things. His music lesson with Mr. Paltry -Winds

  -didn't go too well, but he managed to avoid detention and he actually got a few things right in the English lesson.

  At break time, in the great misty garden, Charlie and Fidelio spied Olivia talking to a group of girls who all looked very dramatic; they had white faces and wore dangerous-looking boots, and they all had either bleached or colored hair. Today Olivia's hair was indigo. When Charlie beckoned to her, she came striding over the grass in enormous, thick-soled boots with metal toe-caps.

  "I bet Manfred will make you take those off," Charlie remarked. 299

  "I'll try to keep out of his way" said Olivia. "So, what's new?"

  "Let's start walking," Fidelio suggested. "We don't want to look like conspirators."

  With Olivia clomping between them, the two boys took turns relating all that had happened over the weekend. Olivia was very excited. "You'll need me to get Emilia over to Gunn House, won't you?" she asked. "She'd never go with either of you."

  "That's it exactly!" said Charlie.

  He had noticed Billy Raven following them a short distance behind and wondered if he should tell the albino what was going on. But he decided against it. For now, the fewer people who knew their secret, the better. Billy would be coming home with him for the weekend. He would find out then. Olivia agreed to spend the rest of the week making friends with Emilia, so that she could visit her on the weekend. "It won't be easy" said Olivia, "because Emilia's so sort of far away if you know what I mean. 300

  But I suppose she would be if she's in a trance." She strode off with a wave, so that she could spend the last two minutes of break with her drama friends.

  Charlie didn't meet with Gabriel Silk until he went into the cafeteria. The older boy rushed up to the table Charlie was sharing with Fidelio, spilling half his glass of water into his plate of chips. "Hi!" he said.

  "Everything OK? Anything I can do to help?"

  "Not at the moment, thanks," said Charlie.

  Gabriel looked unusually cheerful. Obviously he was wearing all new or very happy-feeling clothes. Charlie realized that Gabriel could be a very useful friend to have on his side. Already he was beginning to think of people as being on his side or against him. He wondered why this was.

  He didn't see Manfred until dinnertime, but to his great relief the older boy took no notice of him. Asa, however, kept darting sly looks across the long table. The meal was exactly the same as last Monday's: soup, egg and chips, and a pear.

  301

  "It's always the same," said Fidelio. "Tomorrow it will be soup, sausage and potatoes, cabbage, and an apple."

  Charlie wished he could swap his gift for hearing voices to one of turning bad food into good. He closed his eyes and pretended that he could. He found that the flat, old egg actually tasted better. Now that he knew the way to the King's room, he found that he was the first one there. Almost. Zelda and Beth were playing some sort of game. They ignored Charlie. Zelda was dark and spiteful looking, and Beth was large and muscular with pale, frizzy hair. They were glaring at each other from either side of the table. In the center a wooden pencil box moved first one way then the other.

  Charlie sat down in the large space between them and plonked his books on the table.

  "Shhh!" hissed Zelda.

  The pencil box shot toward her.

  "Sorry" said Charlie.

  The pencil box hovered and then moved toward

  302

  Beth. She growled and, glaring at the box, sent it back to Zelda. Charlie realized they both had the same endowment, moving things with their minds.

  Other children began to drift into the room, ruining the girls'

  concentration. Tancred and Lysander came in together. This time Tancred grinned at Charlie. His hair looked more electrified than ever and Charlie noticed that it crackled slightly when Tancred tried to pat it down.

  "How're you doing, Charlie Bone?" asked Lysander with a big smile.

  "OK, thanks." Charlie smiled back.

  "Shut up!" said Zelda as the pencil box shot sideways, lifted into the air, and crashed onto the floor.

  "Crazy game," said Lysander.

  "It's not a game!" snarled Zelda, retrieving the pencil case. Charlie had managed to get a seat on the same side of the table as Manfred, so he didn't have to worry about the awful stare. He had a much better view of the Red King from this angle, and he found himself 303

  gazing up at the dark, mysterious face several times. It had a strange, calming effect on him and he was aware that his homework seemed much easier than usual. In fact, he got it all done before the bell rang. Fidelio and Charlie had agreed not even to whisper about Tolly Twelve Bells in the dormitory Billy was watching Charlie intently and just before lights out he came and stood at the end of Charlie's bed.

  "Is it still all right me coming for the weekend?" asked Billy

  "Of course," s
aid Charlie. "My mom says it'll be fine."

  ?And... and are you going to do anything about Emilia Moon?" Billy sounded a bit awkward.

  Charlie said, "Not sure yet." There was something not quite right about Billy

  Billy crept back to bed as a voice barked, "Lights out." A large hand came around the door and snapped off the lights. Knowing who the hand belonged to didn't help. Charlie imagined Aunt Lucretia sneaking along the passages, listening at doors.

  Before he finally drifted off to sleep he remembered

  304

  what Maisie had said. "Benjamin called last night. At least I think it was him because of the barking."

  Why was Benjamin calling so late, and why didn't he leave a message? And why was Runner Bean barking? Charlie fell asleep before he could figure it out.

  Benjamin was not asleep. He'd had a very unpleasant day It was cold and windy and, as he walked home from school, he thought of all the good, hot things he could cook for himself and Runner Bean: sausages, chips, toasted cheese, chicken nuggets, and grilled bananas. Turn! Yum!" Benjamin said to himself. He'd managed to forget EustaciaYewbeam. But there she was, banging pots and pans in Benjamin's kitchen as though she were preparing a feast, not a measly bowl of broth. When Benjamin asked for a sausage she gave him a glassy stare and said, "Whatever for? It's not as if it's Christmas."

  Runner Bean leaped out of his basket, barking with joy and licking every bit of Benjamin that he could find: his face, his hands, his ears, and his neck.

  305

  "That dog hasn't moved all day" grumbled Miss Yewbeam. "I couldn't even get into the broom closet."

  "He's a very good guard dog," said Benjamin. Later he was bitterly to regret those words.

  That night he listened to Miss Yewbeam walking through the rooms. What could she be doing? She'd had all day to explore. He had an uncanny feeling that someone else was in the house. Eventually Benjamin closed his eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep.

  He was woken up by a terrible noise: a howling, screaming, whining sound. Benjamin leaped out of bed and ran to the top of the stairs.

  "Runner?" he called. "Is that you?" He was answered by a low snarl and then a series of earsplitting growls and barks. Something was attacking Runner Bean. Benjamin tore downstairs.

  "Runner! Runner, I'm coming," he shouted.

  There was a horrible scream, and a bang as the back door crashed open. Benjamin ran down the passage toward the open door. He almost fell over Runner Bean's motionless body

  306

  "Runner!" cried Benjamin, kneeling beside the dog's shaggy head. Runner Bean gave a sad little whine, and Benjamin, stroking the rough fur, found that it was covered in something sticky

  The hall light was switched on and Miss Yewbeam marched down the stairs.

  "What's going on?" she demanded.

  "My dog's been attacked," cried Benjamin. "He's all covered in blood."

  "My my what a mess!" declared Miss Yewbeam. "We'll call the vet in the morning."

  "I can't leave him like this," said Benjamin. He ran into the kitchen and came back with a bowl of water and some old cloths. MISS Yewbeam stood and watched as Benjamin washed off the blood and applied antiseptic. Runner Bean's wounds were like huge bite marks. But what sort of animal could have gotten into the house? And why? Miss Yewbeam told Benjamin to go to bed. He refused. "I'm going to sleep down here with Runner," he

  307

  said. He got a cushion and a blanket and lay beside the injured dog all night.

  In the cold light of Tuesday morning, Runner Bean looked very ill. Benjamin wouldn't go to school. "He might die while I'm away" he cried.

  "Nonsense." Miss Yewbeam tried to drag Benjamin up to his room.

  "No! No! No!" he shouted.

  She brought his clothes downstairs and tried to make him get dressed. He struggled and fought. She slapped and pushed and pulled.

  "Help!" cried Benjamin, though he didn't know who he was calling to. And then he remembered what Charlie had said, and he dashed to the front door, bounced down the (Steps and, still in pajamas, rushed across the road to number nine, where he pounded on the door.

  The door flew open and Benjamin fell into the hall. He found himself looking up into the grim face of Grandma Bone.

  "And what do you think you're doing, Benjamin Brown?" asked Grandma Bone. 307

  308

  "I want to see Mr. Paton," said Benjamin, struggling to his feet. "Mr. Paton Yewbeam."

  "He's not available," said Grandma Bone.

  "He's got to be," Benjamin shouted. "Mr. Paton! Mr. Paton!"

  "Shhh!" ordered Grandma Bone.

  Several doors opened upstairs, and Maisie and Charlie's mother looked down from the landing.

  "Benjamin, what's happened?" asked Amy Bone.

  "My dog's been attacked and I want Charlie's uncle Paton," cried Benjamin. As the two women began to run down to Benjamin, Paton appeared at the top of the stairs in a red velvet bathrobe. "Who wants me?" he asked.

  "Me! Me, Mr. Yewbeam!" said Benjamin. "My dog's hurt. He won't wake up. Please, can you help me?"

  Paton descended and strode to the front door.

  "Paton, you're not dressed," said Grandma Bone.

  "Nonsense!" said Paton.

  "Sun's up," murmured Maisie.

  "Don't worry about the sun," said Paton. "Come on, 309

  Benjamin." He opened the front door and marched down the steps with Benjamin beside him.

  Traffic had begun its usual rush up Filbert Street toward the center of the city but Paton took no notice. Looking neither to the left nor to the right, he walked straight across to number twelve. Cars screeched to a halt, and drivers hooted and swore at the tall man in his bright red bathrobe, and the small boy in blue-striped pajamas.

  When Paton entered number twelve, he came face-to-face with his sister.

  ?Ah, it's you, Eustacia," said Paton. "I might have known."

  ?And what do you mean by that?" Eustacia asked coldly ^

  "Benjamin, where are your parents?" asked Paton.

  "I think they're in Scotland, looking for a missing window cleaner," said Benjamin.

  "We'll soon see about that," said Paton. "Now, where's the dog?" Benjamin led Paton down the hallway to

  310

  Runner Bean's basket. The big dog lay in an awkward huddle, his torn nose resting on his paws. His eyes were closed and he was hardly breathing.

  "Good heavens," Paton exclaimed, bending over the dog. "A wild beast has attacked your dog, Benjamin. Something with exceptional teeth and claws."

  "It's my fault," sobbed Benjamin. "I told him to guard the cellar. But it was silly really because there's nothing in..." He stopped, remembering, too late, that Eustacia Yewbeam was hovering by the front door. "How could a wild beast get in?" he asked Paton. ?All the doors are locked at night."

  "Someone let it in," said Paton, glancing at his sister. "We'll have to get Runner Bean to a vet," he told Benjamin. ?And very soon. It looks to me as if time's running out for this poor dog."

  Benjamin had an idea. He remembered how Mr. Onimous said he had a special way with animals. "I know someone who'll come here," he said.

  "Mr. Onimous, the mouse man. I've got his card. He's got 311

  these amazing cats, like flames." Benjamin jumped up and ran into the kitchen.

  "I'm off," said Eustacia, and she slid out the front door so fast, they hardly saw her go.

  "What's going on, Mr. Yewbeam?" asked Benjamin. "Why did someone let this happen to Runner? And why are your sisters so mean and angry?"

  "It's war, Benjamin," said Paton. "Something that's been waiting to happen for a long time. Until now; they've had it all their own way but they've gone too far, and some of us are just not going to stand for it!" 312

  THE INVENTOR'S DAUGHTER

  Alivia's really working on Emilia," Fidelio told Charlie. It was Friday and they were walking together around the frosty garden. Just ahead they could see Olivia and Emilia, deep
in conversation, or rather, Olivia was talking and Emilia appeared to be listening. In a few hours they would all be in their own homes. Even Olivia had managed to stay out of trouble for a whole week. At that moment she darted back to the boys, or rather, she stomped in her huge boots.

  "It's worked," she said in an undertone. "I'm going to visit Emilia tomorrow afternoon. So expect us around teatime."

  "How're you going to get her away from the Moons?" asked Charlie.

  "I'll think of something." Olivia strode away The bell went off and they began to wander back toward the academy Billy Raven brushed past them as they reached the door.

  313

  "See you later, Billy" said Charlie. "Remember, you're coming home with me."

  "Just for one night," said Billy "I've got to come back on Saturday" Charlie was puzzled. "I thought you wanted to stay the whole weekend," he said.

  "I have to get back. Matron said." Billy gave him a strange awkward glance and rushed off

  "He's been behaving very oddly this week," Fidelio remarked. "Last night he left the dormitory for hours. The smell of that awful dog, Blessed, or whatever it's called, woke me up. I couldn't get to sleep afterward."

  "Perhaps he's sleepwalking," Charlie said. "He looks pretty tired." Neither of them thought about Billy again. At half past three they packed their cases and at four o'clock they were on their way home on one of the academy buses: blue for music, purple for drama, and green for art. Charlie noticed that Olivia had managed to get into a green bus with Emilia. Olivia wore a big green hat

  313

  314

  and had turned her purple cape inside out; the lining was a dirty green color.

  "Trust Olivia!" Charlie grinned to himself.

  "What's she done?" asked Billy who was sitting beside him.

  "Oh, nothing. She's just funny that's all."

  "Oh," said Billy

  Maisie made a great fuss over Billy She'd baked a chocolate cake, especially for him, and made up a comfortable bed in Charlie's room.

  "Poor little thing," she kept muttering, as she hovered around the table, pouring orange juice, slicing cake, and trying to tempt Billy with iced biscuits and jam tarts. Billy enjoyed the fuss. He had never seen so many good things to eat all on one table.