by James Erith
Then, because she knew it would deeply irritate him, she fluttered her eyelashes, pouted her lips and spoke to him in a high-pitched girlie voice, ‘You know what, Kempy-wempy,’ she started, ‘you really are super macho with your sexy red hair and big muscles and your fat lips.’ Wilcox and Mason looked at each other and sniggered. Kemp glared at them.
Daisy whispered very faintly in his ear. ‘I think you fancy me, don’t you, big boy.’
Kemp looked ready to explode. He twisted Daisy’s arm higher up her back.
Daisy squirmed. ‘Let me go, loser.’
Kemp put his mouth to her ear. ‘Don’t even think about it, de Lowe.’
‘What? Me and you?’ she replied.
Kemp loosened his hold. ‘No, you stupid ass. The football. They’re in a different league – at least soon they will be, so wave bye-bye to your football career, and hello to mine—’
‘Back off, Kemp!’ It was the large figure of Gus Williams closing in. ‘The de Lowes are wanted by Solomon. Didn’t you hear? Or are you deaf as well as dumb?’
Kemp released her. ‘You’re asking for it, Williams—’
‘Fine,’ Gus replied, his eyes bulging with excitement, almost madness, Daisy thought. ‘Any time, just you and me, and since you’ve retired from competitive football, this afternoon’s free—’
Daisy had had enough. ‘Boys – belt up and let me through,’ she said, and without hesitating aimed a vicious kick at Kemp’s shin. Kemp howled and hopped up and down rubbing his leg.
Gus flashed his big friendly toothy smile at Daisy and turned to Kemp. ‘Kicked by a girl. Now that shouldn’t be painful for a big, tough boy like you.’
4
Kemp’s Story
‘What was that about?’ Archie said, as Daisy joined him at the other side of the hall.
Daisy ran her hands through her hair. ‘Oh, nothing, usual stuff,’ she said flatly. ‘Kemp being a creep, telling me how much of a kicking I’m going to get from his Chitbury mates, and Gus, heroic, as usual.’ She smiled cheekily at Archie and sighed. ‘Why does Kemp hate me so much?’
Archie rubbed his freckled nose and laughed. ‘Because he’s a thug and he’s jealous of you – because everyone likes you and hates him.’ Archie frowned. ‘And possibly because you – a mere slip of a girl – booted him off the team.’
Daisy shook her head. ‘But he was useless – always giving away fouls and kicking people off the ball. And anyway that was last year—’
‘He’s like an elephant who never forgets—’
‘Well, it’s ridiculous,’ Daisy complained, ‘elephant or not.’
Archie grabbed his sister playfully by the waist. ‘Strange thing is, I bet you deep down he really fancies you.’
Daisy gasped and a smile lit up her face. ‘That’s what I told him – to wind him up!’ She pushed Archie playfully away. ‘Eeeuk! No chance! I promise you, Archie, there’s absolutely no way I’d ever go out with that jerk!’
Archie grinned and stole a glance over to the far end of the hall, where Kemp was talking to his friends. They locked eyes for a moment, then Kemp reached into his pocket for his mobile phone.
Archie turned back to Daisy, his face concerned. ‘Probably a mistake to kick him though; other people feel pain in their legs, even if you don’t—’
‘I wonder,’ Daisy said airily, staring into the distance, ‘would Kemp even know me if I didn’t play football? I mean, is there another side to him that’s not horrible or gross or stinks like a skunk. How did he end up being such a dickhead?’
Archie shrugged. ‘Kemp’s alright, he’s got problems—’
Daisy’s eyes nearly popped out. ‘You’re telling me—’
‘No, seriously,’ Archie said. ‘He told me about it in a boring session of detention last term and made me swear not to tell anyone.’
‘Well, go on, then,’ Daisy urged. ‘You can tell me.’
‘Of course I can’t, it’s a secret.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Daisy implored. ‘He’s just tried to break my arm and his friends are going to kick the life out of me.’
‘No.’
‘Yes,’ Daisy insisted. ‘For curiosity’s sake and because it’s sometimes best to know your enemy.’
Archie wavered for a second and then shook his head, even if Daisy did have a point. ‘Sorry.’
‘Pleeease,’ Daisy begged.
Archie sighed. ‘No.’
‘Pleeease, winkle.’
‘God. OK – as long as you swear you absolutely won’t tell anyone. And you stop calling me winkle.’
Daisy wobbled her head inconclusively.
‘I mean it,’ Archie said, ‘don’t tell anyone.’
‘Alright – I swear.’
Archie eyed her carefully. ‘You do realise, Daisy, that if he finds out he’ll rip my arms off or suck out my eyes. Or both.’
Daisy flashed him a look. ‘Yeah, yeah, I know. Not a soul.’
‘OK, so the thing is, Kemp’s parents died when he was little – very suddenly – and he keeps very quiet about it – never talks about it. Now he lives with his aunt, who he can’t stand.’
‘That’s awful,’ Daisy said, her eyes wide. ‘How?’
‘What do you mean, how?’
‘How did they die?’
‘Oh, I see,’ he said. ‘A car crash. Driving along in an open top car they went into the back of a truck up on the hills in the forest towards Dalton.’ Archie’s voice turned to a whisper. ‘The rest is really grim.’
‘Go on,’ Daisy urged, leaning in. ‘You’ve started so you’ve got to finish.’
Archie sighed, looked over his shoulder, and saw Kemp heading towards the door at the far end of the hall. ‘Apparently, both lost their heads. Their car plummeted into a ravine and blew up. Some charred and disjointed remains were found scattered in the woods weeks later.’
Daisy whistled. ‘My God. I can see why he doesn’t want anyone to know.’
Archie nodded. ‘Shocking, isn’t it. And the worst bit is that they only found parts of one body.’
Daisy hadn’t expected such a terrible story and for a moment stared at the floor. ‘So you like him, don’t you?’ she said.
‘Yeah, I suppose, apart from when he’s a jerk to you two.’
Daisy was intrigued. ‘Come on, tell me more, I mean he’s probably organising my death right now.’
Archie glanced down the hall and hesitated. ‘OK. Beneath all that macho stuff he’s actually quite soft – it’s a barrier he puts up to protect himself, well that’s what his shrink says—’
‘Shrink?’ Daisy blurted. ‘He has a shrink?’
A few heads turned their way. ‘Yes, shrink, psychiatrist, whatever – keep your voice down.’
‘He gets counselling?’ she whispered. ‘They’re not doing a very good job.’
Archie shot his twin a look. ‘Tell me about it. He seems to snap in and out. I mean, when he told me all this in detention he cried buckets and went on and on about wanting a normal life with a normal family. And then at the end thumped me really hard on the shoulder and told me not to tell anyone. Remember that massive bruise I had when I said I’d fallen out of a tree.’
‘Oh yeah, I thought that was a bit odd.’
Archie shook his head. ‘I couldn’t move my arm for a week. Anyway he’s basically sad, bored, and to be honest … lonely. Everyone hates him and he knows it.’
‘Even Mason and Wilcox?’
‘Even those freaks don’t really like him. They pretend they’re best mates but it’s fear that gels them together. Ever seen how they jump to attention when he’s around or their heads get cracked together? One moment he’s charming and funny, the next he’s pure evil. It’s as if there’s a switch that flicks in his head – and he’s really strong for his age – the only person who can match him is Williams—’
‘Yeah, I noticed there were sparks flying between them earlier,’ she said. ‘So why does he like you?’
Archie smile
d. ‘Because I don’t annoy him – and I’m probably not worth beating up,’ Archie raised his eyebrows. ‘And because I don’t deliberately piss him off.’
Daisy thumped him playfully on the arm. ‘He’s a loser, Archie. Why doesn’t he try being nice for a change?’
‘Apparently it’s something to do with offloading emotional pain. That’s why Solomon and the teachers leave him alone so he can do what he likes – they’re terrified he’ll go even further off the rails. Apparently it’s pretty common. I mean, think about it, if our parents got killed we’d probably go a bit nuts, although to be fair,’ and he pinched Daisy on the cheek, ‘you’re already halfway there.’
Daisy smiled sarcastically. ‘Our parents are never, ever around, so it’s almost the same thing,’ she said, a frown falling over her face.
Archie was glad that he wasn’t the only one who missed them. ‘Are you sure you’re alright, you know, about the match?’
‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘Thanks, Arch. I’ll miss wearing that stupid wig. It felt kind of lucky – something I could hide behind.’
‘Tell you what,’ he said, changing the subject, ‘why don’t I cut your hair, make you look a bit more like a bloke?’
Daisy laughed as an image of a moustachioed Archie, wearing a white apron, with a pair of scissors in his hand, popped into her head. ‘NO WAY, winkle. You’d probably cut my ears off—’
‘Well they’re big enough, and anyway, STOP calling me winkle,’ Archie said. He wondered if it was the right time to quiz Daisy about the previous night. ‘Do you remember,’ he began cautiously, ‘anything about last night?’
‘Last night? What do you mean?’
Archie felt himself reddening. ‘Well, you were having a bad dream.’
Daisy looked confused. ‘Did I wake you?’
‘Yeah. You were screaming – for starters – you must remember.’
Daisy shook her head. ‘Screaming? Loudly?’
Archie nodded. ‘It’s amazing you didn’t wake the whole of Northallerton.’
Daisy grinned. ‘Now you mention it,’ Daisy began, ‘I had a nightmare about being covered in water, as if I was in a huge storm.’
‘That’s it? Nothing else?’ Archie teased. ‘Nothing about me?’
‘Nah.’
‘You sure?’
‘Sure. Why?’
‘Well…’ Archie hesitated.
‘Well, what?’
‘Oh, it’s nothing really – just that … during the course of it you mentioned me and told me not to do something.’
Daisy turned thoughtfully to the ceiling. ‘Sorry, winkle. Can’t remember jack all.’
Archie could barely hide his disappointment and Daisy saw straight through him. The reality was that she’d had a terrible, terrible night – one she’d rather forget entirely.
‘Actually,’ Daisy began, scrunching up her cheeks, ‘maybe there—’
But she was interrupted by the large figure of Mr Solomon. ‘Daisy, Archie, there you are. Now, where is that sister of yours?’
‘I’m here,’ said the figure of Isabella heading towards them, ‘just been finishing off some science work with Mrs Douglas. You can’t believe how …’ and she turned her eyes up as if searching for the correct term… ‘loose, some of these theories are.’
5
A Word From The Headmaster
The headmaster ushered the three of them into the adjoining corridor.
‘Look, just a quick word, if I may,’ Mr Solomon said as he leaned against the painted stone wall, his voice kind and his manner fatherly, but firm. He looked over them sympathetically. ‘It pains me a very great deal to say this, but this morning I received an email from your parents who are somewhere in the Middle East. They will not be back for the football match or indeed for the whole of half term.’ He scanned their disappointed faces. ‘It appears they have discovered something rather important.’
Archie and Daisy exchanged glances.
‘What does it say – what are they doing?’ Isabella asked and she attempted to read the headmaster’s notepad upside down.
The headmaster folded the pad into his large midriff. ‘Well, it’s light on detail – in fact there’s hardly any information, which, given the circumstances is the very least you deserve. And to be honest I’m not at all happy about this situation—’
‘But we’ve got—’ Isabella started.
‘Yes, I know you’re fortunate enough to have your caretakers at Eden Cottage – but looking at your appearance, Archie, I have to ask myself, are they up to the job?’ The headmaster paused for effect. ‘This is the third time I’ve had to reprimand you in the last two terms. Your parents have an obligation to you and this school beyond the callings of their work and the responsibility of others.’
Solomon sighed. He hated telling children off for something that wasn’t their fault; they’d been deserted by their eccentric parents, and not for the first time.
But at least he knew that their caretakers – an old man and a lady – employed at Eden Cottage, did their best for the children. The old man, whom he knew as Mr Wood, had looked old from the moment they first met – years ago – and never seemed to get any older.
The housekeeper, Mrs Pye, was another strange looking creature; large and pale, with a mop of ginger hair that hid a terrible scar on her forehead, though she seemed quite capable. He made a mental note to schedule a visit to see them in the next few days to make sure everything was as it should be.
Mr Solomon was fully aware of the long and established ties the de Lowe family had with the school and village. Their lineage could be traced back for centuries; at least, that was the claim. The de Lowes from Eden Cottage even had a large stained glass window in the church in memory of a distant ancestor who was rumoured to have slain a local dragon. Solomon scoured their young faces; that particular gene must have died out a long time ago.
His gaze settled on Isabella. ‘How old is your Great Uncle, Mr Wood? He must be well into his eighties, if not nineties—’
‘He’s certainly getting on a bit,’ she replied, ‘but he’s fit and well and Mum and Dad have every confidence in him—’
‘And,’ Archie added, ‘Old Man ... er ... Uncle Wood’s a seriously good first aider. He’s always patching me up brilliantly.’
‘And,’ Daisy said, not wanting their housekeeper to be left out, ‘Mrs Pye’s amazing at cooking things and washing and cleaning and stuff. She’s, you know, super-capable.’
‘I am quite sure she is,’ Solomon replied, not rising to Daisy’s burst of enthusiasm, ‘but who is going to get Archie to the shops for school uniform? And what if there’s another emergency – like there has been in every holiday period over the last two years? Neither drive and you’re two miles up a deep, steep, narrow track that’s camouflaged by bushes and brambles. Your house is surrounded by thick forest – it’s in the middle of nowhere! Frankly, it’d be a miracle if anyone could find you.’
Mr Solomon raised his eyebrows and peered over his half-moon glasses at each of them in turn. He wondered what condition the inside of the house was in, dotted up there on the hillside by the ruin. ‘And what if your helpers were to have an incident, like a heart attack or a seizure or a fall?’ he continued. ‘What would you do? The place would be swarming with police and social workers and, trust me, they would be considerably less forgiving.’
The children didn’t really know what to say so they remained silent and stared at the floor. To them, Old Man Wood and Mrs Pye were nothing but the best, so what was the big deal?
Isabella finally broke the silence. ‘Sue’s mum is taking us over to Northallerton on Tuesday. We’ll get Archie smartened up then. Mrs Lowden’s brilliant at helping out; I’ll ask her tonight.’
Mr Solomon nodded. ‘Very well, but before you go, Isabella, I’m going to entrust you – as the eldest – to take a letter back for your parents. Come and collect it before you go from my office. You are to give it to them so that this unacceptable si
tuation is on record and does not happen again.’
Mr Solomon cleared his throat, which signified that the matter had been dealt with. He turned to the twins. ‘I have some simple Religious Education homework for you two over the break. It’s Genesis; the book right at the very beginning of the Bible. Have you heard of it?’
The twins nodded.
Mr Solomon smiled. ‘Jolly good. The bit I want you to pay particular attention to is where God creates the universe in seven days – with Adam and Eve – remember?’ The twins nodded again. ‘After creation, one of Adam and Eve’s children, Cain, kills his twin, Abel, and is sent away. So God decides they’re a pretty rum lot and sends a flood that wipes out everything on the earth apart from their descendant, Noah—’
‘Who built the ark and put all the animals in it two by two,’ Archie finished off.
‘Precisely,’ Mr Solomon said. ‘Now, Daisy, as your academic record is simply appalling, I’d like you to actually read it and then think hard about it – preferably before you dream up some kind of hare-brained scheme that gets Archie battered into pieces. Understand? You may find the chapter a valuable resource for your essay after half term entitled, Did God create the universe, or did the universe create God?’
Then, in one movement, as though suddenly aware of the time, Mr Solomon straightened, raised his bushy eyebrows and looked over the top of his half-moon spectacles. ‘Now, for goodness’ sake, over this half term period, behave yourselves, children; I cannot and will not have the Social Services chasing us around with your parents nowhere in sight. Please do not get yourselves into trouble. Understood?’
‘Yes, sir,’ the children said in unison.
‘Excellent. Very best of luck with the football tomorrow morning – there will be a big crowd cheering you on and some members of the press will be present; the circumstance surrounding this game, and the fact that the final involves our larger rivals, seems to have caught the imagination of the entire region.’ He darted a look at Isabella. ‘So, best behaviour please.’ He hoped his message was clear. ‘Now run along.’