Brightstorm

by Vashti Hardy

  “It’s not far, but we’ll have to run.”

  In moments, they were dashing through the streets towards the great domed building. They pushed past security, with Felicity waving her spoon threateningly at the guards. Harriet led the way through the grand hallways until they faced the huge double doors. Arthur and Maudie pushed one each and burst into the auditorium.

  “Stop!” Arthur yelled, holding the picture high.

  Eudora Vane stood with the well-dressed board of the Geographic Society. The bank draft for one million sovereigns wavered between Madame Gainsford’s hand and Eudora’s.

  “What is the meaning of this intrusion?” Madame Gainsford said. The furry stoat around her neck raised its head and stared.

  The four of them hurried through the audience to the stage.

  “This is quite irregular,” one of the board said.

  “Barging in like vagrants from the Slumps,” said another.

  Eudora looked as though she had seen a ghost, then her perfect veneer returned. She put her hand to her heart. “Harriet Culpepper and the Brightstorm children made it home against all odds. Well, how extraordinary – simply wonderful. Perhaps you should show them to the back chambers. They must be quite fatigued!”

  “We’re fine,” Arthur said stiffly, stomping on to the stage. “This photograph proves Ernest Brightstorm was the first person to make it to South Polaris.”

  The audience gasped.

  Eudora’s cheeks turned a shade of pink which matched her outfit perfectly.

  “Do you need to sit down, Madame Vane? This must be such a shock to you,” Maudie said dryly.

  Madame Gainsford took the picture. “This certainly looks like Ernest Brightstorm – naturally it will need thorough investigation, but I declare until such a time the winnings must remain in the care of the Society.”

  Eudora nodded. “Of course.”

  Arthur stared open-mouthed. It wasn’t quite the reaction he’d expected. He’d imagined Eudora furious, screaming, indignantly protesting, but certainly not this.

  “We will need to speak to you, of course, Miss Culpepper, and the Brightstorm twins, but this does appear to have turned these proceedings on their head somewhat.”

  Eudora smiled sweetly. “I will retire and await news.”

  The four of them watched her leave the auditorium. Felicity hugged Harriet, and Maudie hugged Arthur.

  The Geographical Society board said they would be in touch soon. Outside Harriet and Felicity walked in front chatting happily and Arthur and Maudie lingered behind, feeling content but confused at Eudora’s submissive reaction.

  As they passed through an alley, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

  It was Smethwyck. The twins turned to retreat, only to find Eudora standing behind them, smiling sweetly.

  “Hello, children,” she said.

  Arthur glanced at Maudie, trying to catch her eye. Should they scream? Try to fight?

  Eudora slowly turned up her sleeve to show her explorer tattoo. “There are traits of explorer families which cannot be denied. They run thick through your veins; such things are not an option. Maybe I was wrong about you. Perhaps there’s more of the Vane family in you than I could have ever considered.” She looked them up and down.

  “We’re nothing like you,” Maudie said.

  Eudora smiled. “You’re so loyal, Maudie. You could have become a great engineer and been spared this messy business, if not for your brother. But you knew Arthur wouldn’t stop until he had the answers, and you had to make sure he stayed alive. You show great potential.”

  Arthur’s stomach clenched – Eudora Vane had a skill for reading deep inside of people. It made him feel vulnerable. She turned to him. Miptera was back in brooch position on Eudora’s jacket. She scuttled to Eudora’s shoulder and unfurled her wings. One was pinned and slightly crooked from when Tuyok had jumped on her. She clacked her mandibles at him.

  “And you, Arthur, such single-minded ambition. You remind me of someone.”

  Arthur squirmed.

  “That you made it back here against all odds is testament to a strong will. I’m almost … impressed.”

  The last thing Arthur wanted was her admiration.

  “We made it because we have friends, something you’ll never have,” Maudie said.

  “You seem very composed, considering you’ve lost,” Arthur said.

  She shrugged. “The adoration from reaching South Polaris first would have been thrilling, but now the people of Lontown will love me even more, because I came so close and was robbed by a dead man. I’m sure the Lontown Chronicle can put quite a spin on it. There are plenty of other conquests in this world to take on, and Lontown will be rooting for me.” She reduced her voice to a whisper. “And you forget – I already took my prize.”

  “Killing our dad and his crew was not a prize!” Arthur said.

  Eudora smiled. “I’ll be watching you, twins. Perhaps I’ll call this a draw in the battle.” She leant in. “But I never lose a war.”

  Although it made him sick to look at her, he matched her stare. “There’s always a first time, Aunt.”

  Then Eudora smiled sweetly, turned, and left.

  CHAPTER 31

  HOME

  Many weeks later in Lontown, the Aurora was playing at being a house once again. There was still only one floor, but Maudie was busily drawing up the second tier along with Harriet and Welby.

  They were taking a break in the library when Felicity walked in barefooted, carrying a toppling tray of tea and marsh cakes. Everyone else had taken off their shoes, due to Felicity’s suggestion of no shoe Mondays, which she said was nothing short of complete foot liberation. Welby refused, but Maudie and Arthur hid his polished shoes on the roof so he was forced to join in.

  Welby rushed into the room waving the Lontown Chronicle and passed it to Arthur.

  Arthur read the title and his heart soared.

  Brightstorm Family Name Cleared

  He stood and read on:

  In breaking news, Ernest Brightstorm has been cleared of all accusations, and declared wrongly charged in the case of breaking the Explorer’s Code during the ill-fated first Polaris Challenge. The Lontown Chronicle and the Geographical Society has therefore agreed the prize money should be divided between the relatives of those who perished on the Violetta, and Arthur and Maudie Brightstorm, Ernest’s two surviving children. Evidence brought back by the Culpepper expedition has also proved the docile nature of the great fauna of the Third Continent, previously believed to have been vicious beasts. These wolf-like creatures are, it turns out, highly intelligent super sapients. The new theory is that the cause of death of the Brightstorm crew was a monumental tragedy: ingestion of a poisonous herb, which the cook mistakenly added to the crew’s meal. The poisonous cakes were thought to be avoided by Ernest Brightstorm on account of his egg allergy. With his crew deceased, Ernest Brightstorm went forward alone and succeeded in reaching South Polaris. Knowing he was without hope of rescue before supplies ran out, he bravely carried on and managed to win glory for himself and his crew.

  “So, Eudora still gets away with it, but we at least get some of the reward – that’ll certainly help with repairs,” said Maudie.

  “Just her style to contrive that the dead take the blame,” Arthur muttered.

  “She’s got too many allies in the right places. This is the best result we could have hoped for with our lack of other evidence,” Harriet said.

  “There’s no sense looking backwards now.” Felicity circled the room topping up everyone’s cup of honeyed tea, pausing to fluff Arthur’s windswept hair.

  He smiled with cheeks stuffed with marsh cake. “And now we have a claim on Brightstorm House, and the rest of Dad’s insured property. We can help fund the rest of the Aurora’s reconstruction!” Arthur turned the newspaper over. As much as he hated that Eudora had got away with murder, at least she hadn’t claimed South Polaris and he finally knew the truth.

&
nbsp; A small article on the back caught his eye:

  Ermitage Wrigglesworth Mysteriously

  Disappears in the Eastern Isles

  “What is it?” Maudie said curiously, looking up from her engineering book. He held the newspaper out to her.

  Harriet peered over and read too.

  Everyone fell silent. Arthur lifted the cuff of his shirt with his iron fingers and looked at the Brightstorm moth, newly tattooed on his left wrist in fire red and gold. “There’s bound to be a trail that leads to the answer,” he said.

  “It says here that his family will reward richly for his safe return.” Maudie retied the new red ribbon in her hair.

  Wiggling her toes, Felicity said, “I’ve always wanted to get my hands on the eastern moco bean – they say the flavour is the best in the Wide.”

  “Well, this sounds like a challenge to me. What do you say, Arthur?” There was that undeniable twinkle in Harriet’s eye.

  Arthur hesitated: Maudie had her studies; she could make it to Universitas within a few years if she worked hard. She looked at him and shook her head. “Arty, you don’t seriously think I’d let you have all the fun without me? I can bring my engineering books with me, you know!”

  Parthena gave an emphatic screech and Queenie brushed against Arthur’s leg and purred. She winked an amber eye at him.

  The world was so full of colour and laughter at Number Four Archangel Street, it would be hard to leave Lontown – except of course the Aurora would be with them. Arthur looked around at the warm faces gazing back at him. Even Welby had a quiet smile on his lips.

  A surge of excitement rose in Arthur’s stomach.

  Maudie grinned at him. “I know I’m ready for another adventure. What about you, Arthur?”

  “Me? I’m a Brightstorm. I was born ready.”

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  In writing this book I became increasingly aware of how many parallels there are between the writing process and expeditions (there’s probably an essay in there somewhere…). I’m lucky enough to have been surrounded by a great crew on this writing journey – one well worthy of the Aurora.

  To all the team at Scholastic, I can’t thank you enough for getting ‘on-board’ with this story. The Brightstorm twins couldn’t have found a better home. Special thanks to my lovely editor, Linas Alsenas – I’m in awe of your keen eye and inspiring mind. I owe endless thanks to you for your enthusiasm, ideas, and for saying yes! Your advice is always so sound and in tune – I’ve absolutely loved working with you – it’s always time for tea! Also, thanks to designer Jamie for all his brilliant work and to the copyeditors involved for their super observant eyes. Huge thanks to brilliant illustrator George Ermos, whose fantastic cover art truly blew me away and made me want to jump into the adventure!

  Thank you to the marvellous Kate Shaw – the best agent I could ever have hoped for. You can set me on a path to true north with your astute story eyes and well-placed words of wisdom. Your belief in me has meant the world. I do believe something of you has seeped into Harriet Culpepper…

  I am so fortunate to have made writer friends for life in Jennifer Killick, Lorraine Gregory and James Nicol – you three are not only wondrous writer confidants but very best friends. Thank you wholeheartedly for being jolly fine beta readers and expert fellow mischief-makers. I can’t think of three finer people to be my first mates.

  Imogen Cooper, Vanessa Harbour and all the team of editors and writers at Golden Egg Academy, especially Abigail Kohlhof, Bella Pearson, Anthony Burt, Rus Madon, Kay Vallely, Emma Greenwood, Kirsten Wild and Andrew Wright – you’ve been a crucial part of my writing journey and your continued friendship and support is like a teacup in a storm – thank you! Also to the community of children’s writers and bloggers, you really are the best bunch of humans in the whole Wide. Thank you for being creative, enthusiastic you!

  Thank you, Kate Elton, the first writer I met on my journey – you’re always there to happy dance with me and I love that we are on this (long!) road together. A special thank you to Mr Dunham, our English teacher. I’ve no idea where you are, but I would love to think that this may find you somewhere in your retirement, and you will know that you started something magical when you gave us free writing journals. Dave Swann at Chi and Susannah Waters at Sussex, fantastic creative writing lecturers who both inspired me loads – thank you!

  To all the rest of my family, friends, and work colleagues who have supported me (far too many to mention, but you know who you are), thank you! Nicola Wilding, thank you for your tips, which helped me think harder about Arthur’s world – I can’t wait to see your final ‘iron arm’, and Lucy Denyer O’Leary, your chats and enthusiasm are really appreciated! Thanks, Mum; my niece, Sienna; and sis-in-law Vicky for reading excerpts, bouncing ideas with me and being star cheerleaders. To my core crew Meg, Sammy, Poppy and Darren, thank you for not rolling your eyes at me (too much) when I ramble on about sky-ships, thought-wolves and other bonkers imaginings, and for always believing in me – you’re the best. Also sorry for all the weekends I ignore you. PS to my lovely husband who has been waiting to read this until it’s a ‘real book’ – no excuses now!

  Oh, and how could I forget … Bear Grylls – thank you. Your programmes have been my go-to for a few of the situations Arthur stumbles (falls headfirst) into, and should I find myself tripping into quicksand, I like to think I’m rather better equipped now.

  Lastly, to you, lovely reader – this world is yours to explore now. A warm welcome to the crew of the Aurora – grab your compasses, binoscopes and resilience as you shut the door! It’s really good to have you on-board.

  Scholastic Children’s Books

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  SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

  First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2018

  This electronic edition published by Scholastic Ltd, 2018

  Text copyright © Vashti Hardy, 2018

  The right of Vashti Hardy to be identified as the

  author of this work has been asserted by her.

  eISBN 978 1407 18524 8

  A CIP catalogue record for this work is available from the British Library.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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