“Let’s go for tea and I will explain,” said DI Collins. He winked at Amanda again.
She felt her face go beet red and wished he wouldn’t do that.
***
Amanda sipped on a lemonade as the young police officer explained things.
“Seems these blokes have been forging books and selling them to vintage book stores. But they needed a go-between so as not to get caught. They would get desperate folks to steal books for them or buy them cheap from an unwitting bookstore owner like unfortunate Mr. Ramsbottom here. We were tipped off that they wanted a Vicky and Alice book and were willing to pay a large sum of money for one of the originals from Osborne House. So, we got young Liam here to steal one.”
“What!” Amanda and Leah said at the same time.
Amanda frowned at Liam, “So it was you who stole the book all along?”
“Oh yes,” said the detective. “But we asked him to do it. We knew the book forgers would come looking for it and then we could nab them. What we didn’t know was that Mr. Ramsbottom, Uncle Charlie, had made a deal with a woman named Gloria to sell her some of his vintage books, which she planned to sell to the book forgers. We just didn’t figure things would take the turn of events they did, endangering the lives of you youngsters, and putting Mr. Ramsbottom in the hospital when they discovered he didn’t have the book.”
“But how did Uncle Charlie get out of the hospital?” asked Leah.
“Somebody called on my mobile this morning saying they were from the hospital, and Uncle Charlie was being discharged, and would we come and pick him up. After we did, those thick prats started to follow us. It was getting harder and harder to lose them. Man was we glad when the Met showed up,” explained Liam.
Uncle Charlie looked better once he had a cup of tea. “I’m awful sorry for the bother, guv. I just needed some extra cash as the store’s not doing too well these days. I didn’t mean to do anything dishonest. I’ve never done anything dishonest in me life.”
Rylee patted his arm. “You’re all right now. Don’t you worry.”
“What about that woman, Gloria, will she be in trouble too?” asked Amanda.
“She will get a stern talking to. People do odd things when they get desperate for money. I hope this hasn’t put you off England, Amanda.”
“Oh no, sir. I think it’s awesome I got to meet a real British Bobby, but why aren’t you wearing a uniform?”
“Those of us in the CID are plain clothes detectives, so we blend in. We only wear our uniforms for special occasions. I best be off now. We’ll be in touch Liam and Rylee. Thanks for your help. Mrs. Anderson, Leah, it was nice to meet you. Enjoy the rest of your visit Amanda and - stay out of trouble.”
“As if,” muttered Leah.
“What did you say?” asked Amanda.
“I said, I still smell as if I fell into a rubbish tip. I need to get home and have a bath.”
***
On the weekend, Amanda, Leah and Mrs. Anderson watched the Isle of Wight sailboat races from the shore. Amanda cheered the loudest as the Shelagh came in first place. After the race the girls walked over to the bookstore.
The store looked much brighter and cleaner.
“Hi ya!” greeted Liam from on top of a ladder.
“Wowza,” said Leah. “I hardly recognized the place.”
“Well, I reckon if I’m going to be managing the store now, I want it to be more attractive to customers.” Liam started down the ladder.
A well dressed, young girl with short black hair emerged from behind a stack of books, a feather duster in her hand.
“Who is this?” asked Amanda.
“I’m the part-time Assistant Manager,” answered Rylee with a huge grin. “I’m about to organize these books according to the alphabet, so folks can find what they’re looking for.”
She gave Leah and Amanda each a big hug. “You’ll never guess. I’m living at Liam’s mum’s place now and will be going back to school part-time. You two mates were ever so nice to me and made me feel I was maybe worth something. I want to be smart like you, Leah and kind like you, Amanda.”
“Where is your family, Rylee?” Amanda just had to ask.
Rylee looked away and mumbled. “They’re not around. Don’t know when they’ll be back.”
Leah quickly changed the subject. “How’s Uncle Charlie?”
“Oh he’s fine. He loves the old folks’ home he’s living in now. He misses Rupert though,” said Liam.
“Tell him Rupert is fine and getting loads of attention at our house,” said Leah. “I’ll bring him for a visit one day soon. Maybe you could come along, Rylee.”
Rylee beamed. “I would love that.”
After tearful goodbyes at the bookstore, Amanda and Leah walked arm-in-arm down the cobblestone street.
“Well, things certainly worked out OK, didn’t they,” said Amanda. “You got a cat, Liam got a job, Rylee got a home and I had a great time in England. I can’t wait to show everyone at home the fab pictures I took.”
“The only bad thing is you’re going home soon, and I don’t know when we’ll see each other again?” Leah looked teary eyed.
“Well, we can keep in touch on Facebook and text each other too.” Amanda thought for a minute. “Why don’t you come and visit me? We could have tons of fun exploring Alberta. There’s a dinosaur park and the Calgary Stampede and so much cool stuff to do. There’s never any crime or people in trouble so you wouldn’t have to worry about being chased or anything like that.”
“That sounds like a plan BFF. But knowing you, I’m sure you’ll scare up a mystery - just for me?”
The End
Also By Darlene Foster
Amanda Ross is an average twelve year old Canadian girl. So what is she doing thousands of kilometres from home in the United Arab Emirates? It’s her own fault really, she wished for adventure and travel when she blew out those candles on her last birthday cake. Little did she know that a whole different world awaited her on the other side of the globe, one full of intrigue, mystery and folklore. A world with a beautiful princess, a dangerous desert and wonderful friends.
Join Amanda on her first adventure as she discovers the secrets behind The Perfume Flask.
Amanda Jane Ross is certainly becoming a world traveller; she’s now in sunny Spain on vacation with her friend Leah. While there, she encounters a mysterious young girl who looks eerily like the girl in a famous painting she saw in a Madrid museum. Even weirder, the girl keeps showing up wherever Amanda finds herself - Madrid, the remote mountains of rural Spain, the beaches on the Mediterranean Sea, a lively fiesta and the busy streets of Barcelona. Amanda wants to help this sweet, young girl and her beloved pony escape the clutches of a mean horse-dealer. Come with Amanda on her next adventure as she attempts to unravel the mystery behind the Girl in the Painting while she treks across Spain - always one step ahead of danger!
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge the many people who have helped me bring Amanda in England – the Missing Novel to life. My heartfelt thanks go out to my critique partners near and far, Yvonne, Marion, Cyndy and Sheila. I don’t know what I would have done without your eye for detail and your inquiring minds. I also want to thank Brenda for the idea of a Maine Coon cat, Avril for sharing pictures of Hampton Court, Alison for the idea of the teashop, Terry and Linda for the ride on their sailboat and Lizzie for telling me what it was like to ride the London Eye. I mustn’t forget my many English friends for consultation on British words and phrases and of course my wonderful English husband, Paul, who patiently clarified a number of things.
A huge thank you to all the young people who have become fans of Amanda and her adventures. You inspire and motivate me. A multitude of thanks go out especially to Michelle Halket, Publisher at Central Avenue Publishing, for all the support and encouragement over the past few years. You are the best!
The Vicky and Alice Books do not exist; they come entirely out of my imagination. The ra
vens at the Tower of London do exist, as does Queen Mary’s Doll House at Windsor Castle and the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London. The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon is a teashop in Manchester; I simply moved it to London for the purpose of my story.
About The Author
Darlene Foster is an employment counsellor, an ESL tutor for children, a wife, mother and grandmother. She loves travel, shoes, cooking, reading, sewing, chocolate, music, the beach and making new friends. Her 13 year old grandson called her “super-mega-as-woman-supreme”. She was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, where she dreamt of travelling the world and meeting interesting people. She lives on the west coast of BC with her husband Paul and their black cat, Monkey.
Her website is darlenefoster.ca.
Amanda in England: The Missing Novel Page 7