by Tim Bradley
‘Come on Dad,’ Arnie shouted, as he skipped on by. ‘I want to know where’s cool to bring my friends to – Connor and Jake would be so mad here!’
‘I’ll see you later Silverthorne…’ said David.
‘I’ll be here!’ mouthed the solicitor gathering himself.
David joined Arnie who was flicking bits of snow off a sundial.
‘I’m not sure where to start. What do you want to see?’
Arnie turned back to him. ‘I want to look at everything. What you did when you were my age.’
‘Well,’ said his father pondering for a moment. ‘I often used to hang around the east tower looking for a secret room that was supposed to been built, but though I tried every square inch up and down those eighty-three steps – I never succeeded.’
Arnie smiled.
‘Not very likely was it?’ said David.
‘Why?’
‘If it was there, someone would have found it before me.’
‘Just because no one has doesn’t mean it’s not there,’ said Arnie encouragingly.
‘Well, no but…’
‘It would be a great story – wouldn’t it?’
‘Meaning?’ said his father inquisitively.
‘I’m up for it if you are?’ challenged Arnie.
David considered him, then a smile crept across his face.
‘Why not? Nothing to lose by trying. Eh? We can always pretend it’s there…’
‘Deal,’ said Arnie.
His father shrugged and rubbing his hands together against the cold indicated which way they should go. Moments later they reached the foot of the tower and after several failed attempts the ancient wooden door finally gave way and they climbed inside.
The World of Arnie Jenks
For more about the world of Arnie Jenks visit:
www.arniejenks.co.uk