Lights Over the Marsh

by Carol Prior

  ‘There’s a secret way in and we’re here to rescue you,’ whispered Lizzie, ‘come with us, it’s this way.’

  ‘Yes, hurry, Prof,’ urged Luke, ‘I think we’ve got away with it but we can’t hang about. There’s a tunnel under the wall but it’s only a short distance and there’s a step halfway down that makes it easier. This is the way we came in, it’s quite safe.’

  ‘Very well, Luke. I trust you. It’s very nice of you to come and find me. I’d given up hope of rescue.’

  Soon they were outside and walking along the unmade road to Rye. They had decided against the footpath, it was probably safer but it wasn’t in the right direction and would have taken much longer.

  Dan smiled at them all, ‘Well I suppose we should go to the police station next. Those horrible people have still got my balloon, and even worse I think they have someone else imprisoned somewhere in the house. I could hear banging and sometimes crying though it’s more or less stopped this morning. It sounds like a girl; I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they’ve kidnapped her as well!’

  ‘Esmeralda!’ they cried in unison. ‘Yes, Esmeralda, Dan,’ said Steph, ‘the actress who was supposed to fly off in the balloon. You know, ‘Light-As-Air Cupcakes’.’

  The professor’s face fell. ‘Oh, no, not Esme, she’s my niece, my sister’s daughter. This is terrible!’

  Violet’s eyes filled with tears. ‘We’re so sorry, we didn’t know that,’ she said.

  ‘Watch out! There’s a car coming, quick hide!’ shouted Tom.

  They ran off the path and hid in the tall grass as a grey car went slowly by. ‘It’s okay, they didn’t see us,’ said Luke, ‘but we’d best get a move on in case they come back!’

  After a while they crossed the railway line and hurried past the windmill and into Cinque Port Street.

  ‘Made it,’ cried Lizzie as they reached the door of the police station. ‘Everything will be fine now, Dan. They will rescue Esme, and get your balloon back.’

  ‘Hey, old man,’ came a shout from a passing car, ‘I hope you don’t think you’re going to get away that easily!’

  They turned just in time to see a woman at the wheel of an old grey Citroen. ‘Oh no, it’s Dinah!’ gasped Dan, ‘and Marcos, and Luigi. They’ve come to get me! They must have seen us after all!’

  ‘It will all be fine,’ said Tom. ‘All you have to do is explain to the police and they will go round and arrest them and find Esme.’

  ‘Can I help you?’ asked a young policeman. ‘Are you in trouble?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Dan, ‘and I hope you’ll be patient while I explain as it’s quite complicated.’

  ‘Of course,’ he smiled. ‘I’ve got all the time in the world! Now how can I help? Oh, there’s the phone, I’ll just get that, won’t be a minute!’

  They strained their ears to hear as he spoke quietly into the telephone. There was a woman on the other end of the line. ‘It’s Dinah! I recognise her voice!’ whispered Tom.

  ‘I see, and he’s the elderly gentleman who has just come in, is he? Yes, I completely understand, it’s very lucky you saw him leaving the house.’

  The officer turned back to Dan, ‘That call was from your daughter, Mr Smith; she’s very concerned about you.’

  ‘But I’m not Mr Smith! My name is Professor Dan McDonald,’ stammered Dan ‘and I’ve been kidnapped along with my niece Esme. And they’ve stolen my balloon!’

  ‘It’s true,’ said Steph, ‘really, that’s why we’ve come here!’

  The young policeman coughed nervously, ‘I see, yes, well I’m not sure you should believe everything this gentleman tells you. His daughter says he gets very confused and his imagination runs riot. She asked me to apologise to you all on his behalf.’

  ‘But he’s not Mr Smith, really he’s not!’ cried Steph.

  Then the door was flung open with a bang.

  ‘Oh, Dad, what are you doing here?’ cried Dinah. She ran over and flung her arms around him while he tried to shake her off. ‘Now, now, don’t be silly or I’ll have to call Marcos. Thank you for being so understanding Officer.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it Madam, that’s what we’re here for,’ he replied. ‘You’re very lucky to have a daughter who looks after you so well, Sir.’

  Violet was jumping up and down anxiously. ‘No!’ she yelled at Dinah, ‘let him go!’

  ‘Don’t worry Violet,’ he called back. ‘I’m going to save Esme and get my balloon. Thank you for rescuing me!’

  And they were gone!

  ‘You do realise what you’ve done,’ said Luke, ‘that was Professor Dan McDonald and he is the owner of the balloon that went missing on Saturday, and Esme is his niece.’

  The policeman scratched his head, ‘Now, now, a lot of people get strange ideas when they’re getting on a bit. And if I were you,’ and he glanced at them in turn, ‘I would be very careful with your accusations. That sort of thing can get you into a lot of trouble.’ He sighed wearily, ‘And don’t forget, a poor young girl has been lost at sea and it doesn’t help anyone if people come in here making things up!’

  ‘But you have to believe us,’ pleaded Steph. ‘He was locked away in the east wing and we’ve just rescued him and now you’ve let them take him back!’ She started to cry and Violet put her arm around her.

  ‘It’s true, he was being kept prisoner at Cornypie House on the undercliff,’ said Tom. ‘We can show you if you like?’

  The police officer looked alarmed, ‘Cornypie House, never heard of it! Look, how about I take your names and your address and I’ll give it some thought, would that satisfy you? Now come on, you start Miss, you with the curly hair.’

  CHAPTER 18

  Sounds like a Plan!

  ‘What now?’ asked Tom when they were back outside. ‘I must say Dinah was very convincing; she almost had me believing her.’

  ‘Yeah, but Smith,’ scoffed Luke, ‘you’d think they could come up with a more convincing name than Smith. Crooks always say their names are Smith!’

  They stood in a huddle discussing their options then decided to find Bert. Maybe he could come up with a plan. They walked round the Old Strand and up Mermaid Street; it had started to drizzle and the cobblestones shone in the pale sunlight as they turned up Traders Passage and then along Watchbell Street; but Bert was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Maybe he’s gone home, or to a coffee shop,’ suggested Steph, ‘after all it’s a bit damp to be sitting around on a bench. We could have a quick look down by the Gun Garden, he’s often there.’

  Bert was at the Gun Garden. He was gazing out over the marsh that looked green and misty and slightly mysterious in the damp air.

  ‘I was just looking at those big grey clouds rolling in,’ he laughed. ‘Have you found any more secret rooms? And how’s your Grandma, bearing up is she?’ he laughed again. ‘You do lead her a right song and dance, poor woman!’

  ‘Nah, think she enjoys it really,’ said Luke. ‘Actually we’re here for advice… You know that missing balloon… well…’ and they told him everything that had happened.

  Bert thought for a moment, ‘I’m not sure what you can do, have you told Grandma yet?’

  ‘We plan to as soon as we get back to Old Joll,’ replied Steph, ‘but we think she might tell us that we’re imagining the whole thing and we’re putting ourselves in danger. She’s never met Dan after all, and she gets suspicious of our adventures.’

  ‘Maybe you’re being a little bit unfair, you know. I think she will listen to you. Tell her that Bert says she must, that you’ve convinced him. How about I give her a call?’

  Violet smiled, ‘Oh yes, please, Bert. I’m sure she would take notice of you.’

  ‘Well that’s sorted then. Now get home before that storm. Don’t want any of you struck by lightning, that’ll be the next thing!’ He shook his head and laughed.

  Bert had already been on the phone to Grandma when they got back to Old Joll.

  ‘He’s such a nice old man,’
she smiled dreamily and Luke nudged Tom in the ribs. ‘I think we should go back to the police station. It must have been hard for the Officer as I’m sure Dinah was very convincing. A crowd of children and an elderly man are no match for someone like that, especially if she’s already convinced him that Dan is in a state of confusion. It’s very unfair how when people get over a certain age no one takes them seriously any more. But, Bert and I have decided to go in the morning, first thing. They’ll be on their guard today after what has happened but by tomorrow they might think they’ve got away with it. Come and help me prepare dinner. I’ve been busy polishing all day, lovely old oak furniture they left. It must be worth a fortune!’

  ‘We can’t wait until tomorrow,’ said Lizzie when they were all in the east wing watching from the windows as the storm rolled in from the sea. ‘Anything could happen, what if they decide to make a run for it tonight? We need a plan, who agrees?’

  ‘Me, totally!’ said Tom, ‘who’s up for going tonight? In the dark, a night raid when they’re least expecting it!’

  ‘Tomorrow,’ decided Steph, ‘we’ll get up with the dawn and catch Dinah in her nightie, that will be really funny!’

  Violet nodded, ‘Yes, good idea, I’ll set my alarm for half past four. I’ll put it under the pillow so no one hears it. And we should wear dark clothes. I’ve got a grey top and black jeans, no shorts this time Lizzie. And I’ll write Grandma a note to explain and leave it on the table.’

  ‘What are you plotting?’ asked Ollie coming into the room. ‘You know that Grandma believes you and that she and Bert are going back to the police station in the morning. We’ll all go, and then they’ll have to believe us.’

  ‘Unless something happens before then,’ said Luke mysteriously.

  ‘Look, Luke, even you can wait until the morning surely, and when we’ve rescued him maybe Dan will give me that balloon ride I’ve been waiting for.’

  ‘Yes Ollie,’ said Luke meekly, ‘tomorrow it is!’ and he turned and winked at Tom.

  TUESDAY

  CHAPTER 19

  Jack be silver, Jack be gold,

  Jack be hot, but you be cold…

  ‘Get up, you two! It’s half past four and my alarm just went off. I’ll wake the boys.’

  Lizzie sat up and groaned, ‘Oh, Vi, it can’t be morning already.’

  ‘Afraid it is,’ yawned Steph, ‘come on, we’re on a mission.’

  Fifteen minutes later they crept out of the house being very careful that the well-oiled gate didn’t slam shut with a clang as it usually did. The sun was still low in the sky and there was a pale rosy glow above the horizon. Low baas came from the sheep on the other side of the field and the hedgerows were wet with early morning dew. They padded along on earth damp from the storm that had disturbed their sleep in the night and soon came to the main road where they crossed and made their way along the narrow footpath on the other side. Before long Cornypie House appeared in the distance snuggled into the undercliff; all was quiet, even the gulls soaring overhead seemed muted and distant.

  ‘I hardly slept a wink,’ complained Steph. ‘The thunder was so loud.’

  Tom rubbed his eyes and yawned, ‘We went into the east wing again and watched the lightning flashes over the sea, don’t think I had any sleep at all. It was worth it though.’

  ‘Coo, wish you’d woken me, Tom,’ said Lizzie.

  ‘Next time I will. Look we’re almost there, suppose we should keep quiet and go carefully, we don’t want to be spotted.’

  ‘Look…’ gasped Steph as they got nearer, ‘There’s Dan’s balloon in the courtyard, inflated and ready to leave. It’s lucky we came; they must be planning to escape in it! There’s not a moment to lose!’

  They crept silently round to the end of the house and pushed their way through the nettles and bushes.

  ‘Fingers crossed it doesn’t wake them,’ whispered Steph and she spelled out Old Joll on the etched stones. The slab swung to one side smoothly and softly and they went through the little tunnel into the tangled garden.

  ‘Shhhhh…’ said Luke, he put his finger to his lips, ‘Now for the back door, I hope it’s open!’ He tiptoed over and eased the handle down and it opened straight away. ‘Come on,’ Luke beckoned and they ran from the trees and into the little room where Dan had been kept a prisoner.

  ‘He’s not here,’ whispered Violet, ‘what now?’

  Lizzie shrugged her shoulders, ‘Maybe they’ve put him somewhere else? Do you think there’s a secret room here too?’

  ‘Of course, there’s sure to be,’ said Luke, ‘quick, upstairs, lucky I brought my torch! Be careful though, does anyone else think it odd that the door wasn’t locked; it could be a trap.’

  The upstairs room was gloomy and full of old furniture. They could have been back at Old Joll it looked so familiar. At the end of the room was a panelled wall and scrawled on the wall was a rhyme.

  ‘Jack be silver, Jack be gold, Jack be hot, but you be cold, Hahaha…’

  ‘Well I’ve never heard that version before!’ said Violet.

  Steph went close to the wall and ran her hand over the writing, ‘I bet the password is Old Joll again, I’ll try it! The first O is in ‘gold’ then L in ‘silver’, D in ‘gold’,’

  ‘Yes,’ whispered Lizzie ‘and J in the first ‘Jack’, O in ‘hot’, L in ‘gold’ and L in ‘cold’. Hooray!’ she murmured as part of the panelled wall slid back revealing a hidden room.

  Dan stood just inside, his laptop raised above his head as if to bring it down on the next person who entered.

  ‘Whoa, it’s just us,’ said Luke softly.

  ‘Luke?’ Dan could scarcely believe it, ‘how did you get here? Esme,’ he called to the girl who was lying asleep on a thin mattress in the corner, ‘Esme, wake up, we’re getting out of here!’

  Esme looked startled in the dim light filtering through from the tiny skylight. She stumbled to her feet, ‘Who is it?’ she asked.

  ‘They’re my friends,’ whispered Dan, ‘they’re amazing!’

  ‘What’s that in the corner?’ exclaimed Luke suddenly. ‘It looks like… it is, it’s a skull!’ He picked it up and tucked it under his arm.

  Esme sighed, ‘Yes, it’s a horrible thing, and it’s been keeping me company for four days; ever since I was kidnapped from outside my house and brought here! It’s been so awful, I was only allowed out three times a day so that I could go to the bathroom.’

  ‘Why have they let you keep your laptop, Dan?’ asked Tom.

  ‘I have to program it so they can leave in my balloon. They want to go to France today and they said that if I don’t do it properly and they head the wrong way...’ He stopped as if he could hardly bear to go on.

  ‘What?’ asked Lizzie.

  ‘They said they’d throw Esme into the sea!’

  ‘We won’t let them,’ said Steph, ‘and we shouldn’t waste time talking, we have to go; now!’

  Dan put his laptop into his green shopping bag with the control box and they hurried out and headed towards the staircase.

  ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ snarled Dinah from the top of the stairs, ‘Not this way for sure!’ She smiled menacingly, ‘Why do you think we left the door unlocked? We knew you’d come back! Marcos, come here, we’ve got them! Why are you laughing, girl?’ she asked Lizzie.

  ‘My Mum has got a dressing gown just like you’re wearing,’ said Lizzie. ‘It looks better on her though!’ And she ran forward and gave Dinah an almighty shove that sent her tumbling down the stairs with a loud yell.

  ‘Well done, Lizzie!’ shouted Steph, ‘now let’s get going before ponytail turns up.’

  Quick, this way,’ cried Dan and he ran over the little bridge that led to the main part of the house. ‘I have to get my balloon; it’s all ready to leave!’

  Marcos was standing at the far end of the corridor. He was in a pair of red pyjamas and was holding a toothbrush in his left hand. He stared at them as if he couldn’t believe what he w
as seeing.

  ‘It’s ponytail! Quick down the kitchen stairs,’ yelled Violet, ‘hurry!’

  Esme shrunk back in alarm when Luigi appeared at the bottom but Dan rushed up to him and brought the green shopping bag down on his head sending him crashing to the floor. ‘That is for stealing my balloon,’ he muttered angrily, ‘and my niece,’ he added, ‘and if you’ve broken my laptop… I’ll… I’ll…’

  But they never found out what Dan would do to Luigi if he’d broken his laptop because Tom and Luke grabbed an arm each and dragged Dan towards the front door.

  The beautiful blue and green striped hot air balloon was waiting for them in the courtyard. It wobbled slightly in the breeze as if anxious to be away. Dan stopped and gazed at it, he smiled happily, ‘My wonderful balloon, climb aboard everyone, looks like we’ve made it…’

  Violet glanced back at the house, ‘Hurry, Dinah’s coming! Oh no, and Marcos! Quick, quick everyone, get in!’

  They flung themselves over the side of the basket as Marcos came striding towards them. He looked fierce and Violet said afterwards that he had made her think of the Incredible Hulk, he’d looked so angry he was green, ‘well, almost,’ she added.

  Tom was the last, and Dinah was just about to grab his leg when he hauled it in catching her on the nose. Marcos had grabbed one of the ropes and was pulling so hard and with such strength that the balloon started tilting to one side, but Dan turned a few dials on the controls and they were away up into the blue cloudless sky and they all cheered. Then above the sound of their cheers came a police siren.

  They looked down, two police cars had pulled up outside Cornypie and four big policemen were getting out, and one of them was holding a large Alsatian on a lead. Parked just behind them was Grandma’s little car. She got out and shaded her eyes as she peered up into the sunny sky. Then Ollie and Bert climbed out too and they all looked up and waved as the hot air balloon drifted over them.