by Pete Johnson
Barney put on a big act then, grinning all over his face as if he’d just won the lottery. ‘This is fantastic, as I’m now off to the land of Big Macs and computer games and twenty-four-hour telly, so I couldn’t be happier.’
Harriet and I both gave Barney and Solly big hugs. Then, to my surprise, Leo and Zac did too. Leo looked quite sick with sadness, and I totally understood why.
I’d only known him and Barney and Zac for a few days, yet I felt closer to them – I felt closer to Solly, for goodness’ sake – than to any of my friends back home. ‘I’ll miss you so much,’ I whispered to Barney.
‘Rebels United,’ Solly whispered back.
Farmer and Mrs Benson looked pretty miserable as well – Mrs Benson in particular had loved Solly. I think they were very surprised too. Well, so was I, as I’d even thought Barney might win this show.
Then the song We’ll Meet Again started up. ‘That means we must go,’ said Sig, moving Barney and Solly towards the door where the woman in the Second World War uniform was waiting. She was holding both Barney’s wartime bag and the one with all his 2009 stuff in.
‘And Barney,’ I cried, ‘it really doesn’t end here. This is just the start of your dream.’
Barney struggled to say something, but then looked away. And in the end Solly had the last word. He cried, ‘You’re all winners – except for Mr Wallack.’ We cheered that – and then Barney and Solly vanished into 2009.
‘That was horrible,’ I said to Leo.
‘And how on earth are we still here?’ he questioned. ‘I felt sure it would be you or me. No offence,’ he added.
‘None taken,’ I said, ‘as I’d thought exactly the same.’
‘Maybe,’ he said, ‘the public just like trouble-makers. In fact, that’s probably why we’re here in the first place. They want a few bolshy characters to shake things up.’
I stared at him. ‘I never understood why I was here before . . . but if you’re right, then this programme is just a pantomime really.’
‘And we’re the Ugly Sisters,’ grinned Leo.
Then Wally clapped his hands and said, ‘Life will go on here as usual for the four remaining evacuees. But I do have one important announcement for you all. Tomorrow, one of you will be set a challenge. I won’t tell you who it will be – or anything about the challenge – except that it will involve prompt action and quick thinking. If this individual is successful, they will earn extra rations for the whole group. So, good luck, and get ready for a challenge when you least expect it.’
‘What exactly will this challenge involve?’ I asked.
‘I’m sorry, no more questions,’ said Wally. ‘In wartime, there was a strong element of surprise which demanded split-second responses – that is what we will be testing tomorrow. So, expect the unexpected.’
Then Leo asked, ‘And when is our next jolly eviction?’
Wally said firmly, ‘You will be told that information in due course. No more questions now.’
Everything was designed to keep us confused and on edge. I really hated that.
Then Miss Weed said, ‘Leo and Isobel, you may go upstairs and unpack.’
To my horror, Harriet added, ‘And I’ll help you, Isobel.’
‘That’s very kind of you, Harriet,’ said Miss Weed approvingly.
Upstairs, Harriet smiled sweetly at me. ‘I’ll help you put your things away tidily.’
Even when Harriet was being nice, she set my teeth on edge.
‘No, you’re all right,’ I mumbled.
‘Oh, don’t be silly,’ said Harriet. Then she pranced around the room, laughing that annoying, tinkling laugh as she ever so carefully put all my belongings away. ‘You and I are going to have such a great time together, aren’t we, babe?’
I didn’t trust myself to answer. I just kept glancing longingly at the jug of water in the corner of the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Dramatic News
Zac
I WAS VERY tired and thought, I’ll fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow tonight. I opened the bedroom door. ‘I’m sorry Barney had to leave, but I was jolly pleased it wasn’t—’
Then I stopped, because I’d noticed something extremely odd. The wardrobe door was open and Leo was crouched down with his head right inside it, while his manner was highly furtive and anxious.
I stared at him in amazement.
Then he motioned for me to join him.
What was he up to now? Was this one of his silly jokes? But I’d never seen him look more serious.
‘What on earth are you doing?’ I asked.
He put a finger to his lips. Then he said, very very quietly, ‘I’ve found out who snitched on me.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Who Can You Trust?
Zac
‘WHO?’ I GASPED.
Leo mouthed at me to be quiet; then, with his head still deep in the wardrobe, whispered: ‘Someone in this room.’
‘No—’ I began indignantly.
‘Oh, I don’t mean you,’ he whispered. ‘I mean the other person in here.’
Then I thought he must have gone mad. The stress had obviously got to him. But Leo motioned me to follow him and started making ‘Be quiet’ signals. He got up and very slowly moved the picture on the wall. He pointed. I looked, and then jumped back in amazement. There were wires behind there and a small microphone.
I couldn’t believe it.
I struggled to speak. But Leo signalled me to return to the wardrobe. Once inside I whispered, ‘This room’s bugged.’
‘Of course it is,’ said Leo. ‘I’m annoyed with myself for not spotting it before. But tonight I had a buzzy think and found it almost at once.’
‘But they said . . .’ I began.
‘They said there weren’t any cameras, which is sort of true. But they didn’t mention there’s a secret microphone in here,’ said Leo.
‘You know,’ I cried suddenly, ‘I think that’s what that woman was trying to warn you about yesterday.’
‘Of course it was.’ Leo lowered his voice. ‘So conversations we thought were secret are actually being broadcast to the world.’
‘But why would they do that?’ I cried. ‘Do you suppose it’s to check we’re all right?’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ said Leo. ‘It’s to mess with our heads.’
‘Oh, no,’ I cried.
‘Oh, yes,’ he replied. ‘They let us think one of the evacuees had snitched on us, believing that will totally stir things up. And that’s what they really want – trouble.’
I opened my mouth to argue – but I couldn’t.
Leo swept on. ‘Of course, all the adults are in on it.’
‘Not Farmer Benson,’ I piped up at once.
‘No, he’s got to be in on it,’ said Leo. ‘I mean, it’s his house and they’d have to get his permission to plant bugs everywhere.’
I shook my head firmly. ‘You were wrong about Harriet being a spy – and you’re definitely wrong about him.’
‘No, I’m not. I always thought he was a bit too good to be true. That’s his cover, getting us to trust him.’
‘No!’ I shouted. ‘Not him!’
‘Keep your voice down,’ hissed Leo. ‘What’s the matter with you?’
‘You don’t understand,’ I said, still worked up. ‘I don’t care about winning this show. I mean, I want to stay here until the end, of course, but I’d be so happy if you won it. And that’s the truth. You see, I’m here for quite a different reason. Well, actually, I’ve got a secret.’
Leo’s eyes widened. ‘What’s that then?’
‘I’m going to live here on this farm until I’m grown up – just like Victor did.’
‘Says who?’ demanded Leo.
‘Well, just me at the moment. But Farmer Benson said he doesn’t know how he’ll manage without me and Mrs Benson likes the way I always clear my plate. So I know I’ll fit in here just fine.’
Leo shook his head.
> ‘What?’ I asked.
‘I thought I was crazy.’ He shook his head again. ‘But you – you’ve just decided you’re going to live here for good?’
‘Well, until I’m eighteen, yes.’
‘What about your family? Won’t they look round one day and say, “Where’s that funny little guy who used to live here? What was his name now? Zac, that’s it. We haven’t seen him for a few months.”’
‘Well, you know my mum’s dead.’
Leo actually blushed. ‘Izzy did say something, but I’d sort of forgotten. Sorry.’
‘That’s all right,’ I said. And then I quickly told him the whole story. ‘And so you see,’ I concluded, ‘me moving here really is the ideal solution.’
Leo considered this and then said slowly, ‘So it’s very important to you that Farmer Benson is on the level.’
‘Very, very important,’ I said.
‘Well, let’s find out, shall we?’
I looked at him in some alarm. He seemed all fired up, as if suddenly he could do anything. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘Ask him,’ said Leo.
Before I could say another word, Leo had already stormed out of the wardrobe, opened the front door and yelled: ‘To whom it may concern; I need to perform Number Two, and with some urgency as well.’
A door opened almost at once and Miss Weed hissed up the stairs, ‘There’s no need to shout.’
‘Sorry, but I’m desperate,’ said Leo.
Then Miss Weed was at our door. ‘It would be appreciated if one night you didn’t have to disturb the whole house,’ she said. ‘But I’ll see if Farmer Benson is available. Do you need to use the facilities as well, Zac?’
‘I really do,’ I said.
‘Well, please wait very quietly.’
After she’d disappeared Leo and I had another quick meeting – in the wardrobe. Leo murmured, ‘On the way to the loo, I shall ever so casually ask Farmer Benson if he knew our bedroom was bugged. I shall continue to cross-examine him, and if he jumps in an alarmed fashion or does anything remotely shifty I’ll spot it right away.’ Then he added, ‘And don’t be too upset if he’s guilty – you can always come and live with me. We’ve got a spare bed and everything.’
‘Thank you, but it won’t be necessary,’ I said firmly. But inside, my stomach was twisting about. I had total confidence in Farmer Benson, but I was also apprehensive, and even a bit scared.
Downstairs Farmer Benson said brightly, ‘It’s the same drill as before, lads, and I expect you know the way blindfolded by now, don’t you?’ We stumbled along, with Farmer Benson saying conversationally, ‘Let’s hope we don’t have the air-raid siren going off again tonight.’
As we reached the loo, Leo said softly, ‘No cameras here, are there?’
‘No, the lavatory is out of bounds,’ said Farmer Benson.
Leo had a quick look round the outside of the loo. ‘I think we’re safe here,’ he concluded.
‘Safe?’ echoed Farmer Benson.
‘Yeah, the thing is, Zac and I made a terrible discovery tonight. Found out our bedroom was bugged.’
Farmer Benson turned sharply. ‘What do you mean?’
Leo explained quickly and breathlessly, all the time staring accusingly at Farmer Benson. Then he asked, ‘So did you know anything about that?’
‘I assure you lads,’ Farmer Benson said, ‘that I knew nothing.’
‘Are you sure?’ demanded Leo. ‘It’s your house.’
‘Yes, but don’t forget we went to a hotel for a week while they installed all the cameras. I turned up once and it was so noisy it sounded as if they were knocking the farm down. They wouldn’t even let me inside. I’d taken the disruption fee – and this meant what they did was none of my business. But I’m very shocked at what you’ve just told me.’
Leo gave me a quick nod. I knew exactly what that meant: he believed Farmer Benson.
My heart just swelled with relief then, even though I’d always been certain Farmer Benson couldn’t be a part of any secret bugging.
‘We don’t know half of what’s going on here,’ went on Farmer Benson. ‘Well, they only told us about that air raid at the very last moment. And’ – he lowered his voice – ‘to be honest, this is an odder show than we were expecting. All that noise the other night, for instance. We thought . . . well, I certainly never expected there’d be secret microphones in the bedrooms. I suppose I ought to check our room now.’ He gave a rather mirthless chuckle.
‘I just hope,’ said Leo, ‘this conversation with you isn’t being bugged somehow.’
Farmer Benson looked around. ‘I really don’t see how it could be.’
‘Unless there are secret bugs in the paper holder in there,’ I said, nodding at the toilet.
Then Farmer Benson said, ‘So do you want me to have a word . . .?’
‘No,’ almost shouted Leo. ‘Knowledge is power, as they say, so I don’t want them to realize I’m on to them yet. Then, when they’re least expecting it, I’ll strike.’
He said this with worrying eagerness; that’s why I added quickly, ‘But we don’t want to let one thing ruin the rest of the evacuation experience, because it might not be anything sinister. It, could just be . . . well, in 2009 there are cameras and bugging devices everywhere. And people have very good reasons for doing that.’
Leo raised two highly sceptical eyebrows.
‘And apart from the bugging,’ I continued, ‘these past few days have been the most magnificent and brilliant and memorable of my entire life . . . and you just wait until Wednesday, when Victor returns – to the very farm he grew up on – for the first time in over sixty years.’
‘That should be a great moment,’ agreed Farmer Benson.
But later Leo summoned me to the wardrobe once more. ‘I’ve just made a decision.’
‘What’s that then?’
‘Tomorrow afternoon, after we’ve done our chores and just before the meal, I shall confront Wally with my discovery.’ He grinned all over his face. ‘Don’t you love it when you’ve got something on adults, especially the really mean ones, like Wally? You just watch him crumble tomorrow.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Challenge
Zac
NEXT DAY BEGAN with Leo jumping out of bed and yelling, ‘Had another dream about Miss Weed last night; must have been the sight of her in her lovely dressing gown. Cor!!’ Then he fell about laughing. Later, he whispered to me excitedly, ‘Just wait until I expose them tonight.’
But I was worried Leo might get carried away and say something he shouldn’t. And I really didn’t want him to be up for eviction again.
I thought there would be a chance to warn him to be careful when we were doing our chores. But today only Leo was working on the farm, while Harriet and Izzy went off with Mrs Benson to deliver some cakes to the old people’s home. I was given another task: to collect some food from the local village shop.
I walked past the security man on the gate. I had to show him a letter written by Miss Weed saying I had permission to go out. I thought it was a shame the security man wasn’t in wartime costume. A cameraman was some way in front of me, but I’d learned now to totally ignore him and I enjoyed strolling through the village.
Then I passed a man whose Second World War clothes I recognized instantly. ‘Settling in all right at the farm?’ he asked. He had one of those pencil-thin moustaches so popular in the 1940s. I grinned at him. I was allowed to converse with people who were in costume.
‘Yes, thank you very much. Everyone’s extremely friendly.’
He nodded and went off. I wondered vaguely if he was an actor or one of the locals dressed up.
The shop was a modern one, but the lady behind the counter was again in old-fashioned clothes. She greeted me, ‘Ah, you must be one of the evacuees.’
I smiled politely and said, ‘Yes, ma’am, I am.’
‘Well, I’ve got your order ready. Are you sure you can carry it all?’
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‘Oh, yes,’ I assured her. ‘I’m much stronger than I look.’
Actually, the bag was quite heavy, but I whistled Run, Rabbit, Run as I stumbled along. Just as I was turning into my home (and that’s exactly how I saw it now), a man on a bike came speeding towards me. I recognized his uniform instantly. He was from the Home Guard. I was thrilled to see him. He got off his bike. He was a very big, bulky man.
‘Here, lad,’ he said, calling me over. ‘We’ve had a tip-off – some enemy agents have landed.’
I gave a shiver of anticipation. Here it was. The challenge Mr Wallack had mentioned. I’d been so busy worrying about Leo’s discovery I’d forgotten all about that. But it looked as if I’d been chosen. And I did so want to win extra rations for everyone.
‘Do you want me to help search for enemy agents?’ I asked eagerly.
The man smiled. ‘No, no . . . we’ll do that. It’s maps of the area we need urgently. Can you get us some now?’
‘Yes, of course,’ I cried, hastily trying to remember where the maps were kept. Ah yes, now I remembered – inside the second drawer of the bureau in the living room. By a lucky coincidence, Farmer Benson had been showing them to me only two nights ago. ‘Just one thing,’ I added. ‘Have you got any identification on you at all?’
I thought he might be cross at me asking. But he said, ‘Well done, lad.’ His ID card flashed in front of me.
‘Thank you very much for letting me view that,’ I said.
‘Now will you hurry,’ urged the man, ‘as we’re very short of time.’
‘I’ll be faster than the wind.’ Then I added, ‘Would you mind just looking after my bag for me? I’ll run much faster if I’m not carrying that.’ The man nodded and smiled. And I jetted off down the track.
I tore inside the farm. For the first time since I’d arrived, the house was completely empty. It felt different without anyone in it, much bigger and more watchful somehow. As if the house itself was waiting to see if I could find those maps.
And I did, almost right away. My hand shook slightly as I gathered them up; best to let him have every one. It was for the war effort.
Then I raced out again. The Home Guard looked at his watch as I sprang towards him. I think he might have been timing me. ‘There you are,’ I said. ‘Every map of the area I could find. Was I fast enough?’ I added anxiously.