Charlie Bone and the Time Twister Part 18

"You're on," murmured Paton.

"He spoke!" cried Venetia Venetia . "Charlie, what did he say?" . "Charlie, what did he say?"

"Nothing," said Charlie. "He was just breathing."

They frowned at him suspiciously On On the drive back to the drive back to Filbert Street Filbert Street , the three sisters ignored Charlie and chattered away to one another. He had never known Grandma Bone to be in such a good mood, but then poor Henry had been caught and was probably locked up in some dark, secret place. No wonder the , the three sisters ignored Charlie and chattered away to one another. He had never known Grandma Bone to be in such a good mood, but then poor Henry had been caught and was probably locked up in some dark, secret place. No wonder the Yewbeams Yewbeams were happy were happy By the time he got home, Charlie was desperate to discuss Henry with someone. He decided to have a talk with his mother.

When Mrs. Bone got home, Charlie followed her to her small room at the back of the house.

"I've got a problem, Mom," he said. "Can we talk?"

"Charlie, of course."

Mrs. Bone took a bundle of clothes out of the armchair and made Charlie snuggle into it. Then she swung another chair around so that she could sit close to him.

Charlie's mom was a very good listener. She never interrupted or exclaimed, but when she heard the extraordinary story of Henry Yewbeam Yewbeam , her eyes widened and her expression changed from curiosity to amazement and then horror. , her eyes widened and her expression changed from curiosity to amazement and then horror.

"That poor boy," she said when Charlie had told her everything. "What can we do? And Paton - his own sisters! But I suppose that shouldn't surprise me."

"Why Mom?" asked Charlie.

"Because of your father. I know they had something to do with his accident. I know they had something to do with his accident. And Grandma Bone, removing all his photos. And Grandma Bone, removing all his photos. As if he didn't exist." As if he didn't exist."

"One day he will exist, Mom," said Charlie.

She shook her head and smiled sadly "I'm afraid not, Charlie. But I've had an idea. Miss Ingledew Ingledew knows something about the little book. She found it, and she was talking to Paton before we got to the hospital. Why don't you go and see her?" knows something about the little book. She found it, and she was talking to Paton before we got to the hospital. Why don't you go and see her?"

Charlie thought this was a very good idea. "I'll take Benjamin," he said. "And Runner Bean." "And Runner Bean." He didn't like to admit it to his mother, but he always felt nervous in the narrow streets around the cathedral. He didn't like to admit it to his mother, but he always felt nervous in the narrow streets around the cathedral.

Benjamin was, as always, very happy to join Charlie on an expedition. So was Runner Bean. On Sunday afternoon, all three set off for Ingledew's Ingledew's bookshop while Grandma Bone was taking a nap. bookshop while Grandma Bone was taking a nap.

Dark clouds hung over the city and there was still a hint of snow in the air. By the time they reached the bookshop, the boys were ready for a hot drink and a bite to eat.

"I hope they're in," Benjamin muttered as Charlie rang the bell.

They were in luck. Emma answered the door.

"Come in," she said with a bright smile. "But excuse the mess."

She led them into the cozy room behind the shop A A large sketchbook lay on Miss large sketchbook lay on Miss Ingledew's Ingledew's desk Emma had apparently been working there. The drawing of a huge bird covered both pages of the open book. It looked like a golden eagle and yet there was something far more menacing and powerful about it. desk Emma had apparently been working there. The drawing of a huge bird covered both pages of the open book. It looked like a golden eagle and yet there was something far more menacing and powerful about it.

Apart from Miss Ingledew's Ingledew's piles of books the room seemed to be full of feathers. Black, white, blue, and gray they covered the floor and piles of books the room seemed to be full of feathers. Black, white, blue, and gray they covered the floor and lay lay on every table and chair in the room. on every table and chair in the room.

"I've been copying them," said Emma, sweeping a pile of feathers off the sofa. "Watch where you sit." "Watch where you sit."

The boys perched on the sofa where there were less less feathers than anywhere else. Runner Bean was confused. He started hunting for the birds that must surely be hiding somewhere in the room. feathers than anywhere else. Runner Bean was confused. He started hunting for the birds that must surely be hiding somewhere in the room.

"What's that?" asked Charlie, nodding at Emma's drawing.

A tollroc tollroc ," she said. ," she said.

"Never heard of it," said Charlie.

"No, you wouldn't have. I invented it." Emma held up the book. "It's supposed to be like the 'roc in "Sinbad the Sailor." You know, the giant bird whose egg was was fifty paces around." fifty paces around."

"Wow! Some egg!" said Benjamin.

"Some bird!" added Charlie.

"It has to be strong," said Emma. "Very strong. "Very strong. And fierce. And fierce. See its talons! Each one will be the size of my hand." See its talons! Each one will be the size of my hand."

"Nasty." said Benjamin.

It dawned on Charlie that this bird wasn't just a drawing made for fun. It had a very special purpose "Emma," he said, "is that how you . . . ? I mean do you have to be a bird before you can - fly?"

"Yes. But I have to think of the bird first. I see it in my mind, and then - it happens."

The boys stared at her in awe.

"Wow. That must be awesome," Benjamin said at last.

"It's a bit scary actually" Emma admitted. "I've only done it three times in my life. When I came to live with Auntie Julia, she didn't even want to talk about it, but now she's gotten used to it. There are times when I shall just have to fly."

"h.e.l.lo, boys!" Miss Miss Ingledew Ingledew looked into the room. looked into the room. "How about some hot m.u.f.fins? "How about some hot m.u.f.fins? It's such a cold day." It's such a cold day."

"Yes, please," said the boys, both rubbing their stomachs.

Miss Ingledew Ingledew popped out to the kitchen and came back with a tray of m.u.f.fins and hot chocolate. Charlie told her about his visit to the hospital. popped out to the kitchen and came back with a tray of m.u.f.fins and hot chocolate. Charlie told her about his visit to the hospital.

"I wanted to ask Uncle Paton about the book, but my awful aunts were there and he wouldn't talk." He handed Miss Ingledew Ingledew the little brown book. "He said I would need it for . . . ," Charlie hesitated, "for visiting someone." the little brown book. "He said I would need it for . . . ," Charlie hesitated, "for visiting someone."

Miss Ingledew Ingledew darted him a quizzical look. "I see." She opened the book and scanned the pages. "This is a Welsh dictionary Charlie. Welsh and English, that is. Your uncle has marked some of the words, see!" She showed them the small stars that were scattered throughout the book. darted him a quizzical look. "I see." She opened the book and scanned the pages. "This is a Welsh dictionary Charlie. Welsh and English, that is. Your uncle has marked some of the words, see!" She showed them the small stars that were scattered throughout the book.

"Why those words?" said Charlie.

"I've noticed that they're all verbs," said Miss Ingledew Ingledew , "or commands , "or commands . ' . ' Move,' 'fly' 'talk,' 'push,' 'listen,' 'look,' 'catch,' 'run,' et cetera. And look, he's written the p.r.o.nunciations at the front of the book." Move,' 'fly' 'talk,' 'push,' 'listen,' 'look,' 'catch,' 'run,' et cetera. And look, he's written the p.r.o.nunciations at the front of the book."

"But why?" asked Charlie. "What can it mean?"

"Welsh is is an unusual language. It doesn't always sound the way it looks. I can only think that your uncle wanted you to learn the Welsh for these words. But I've no idea why" an unusual language. It doesn't always sound the way it looks. I can only think that your uncle wanted you to learn the Welsh for these words. But I've no idea why"

"When the time comes, you'll know" said Emma Miss Ingledew Ingledew smiled at her niece. "What strange children you are," she said fondly "I'm not sure that I would like to be endowed." "Me, neither," said Benjamin. smiled at her niece. "What strange children you are," she said fondly "I'm not sure that I would like to be endowed." "Me, neither," said Benjamin.

A chilly dusk had begun to steal through the streets as Charlie and Benjamin left the bookshop Runner Bean made sure they kept up a brisk pace.

As they approached number nine, Benjamin slowed down. "Who is this person you might be visiting?" he he asked Charlie. asked Charlie.

Charlie told him about the painting of Skarpo Skarpo . .

"You mean you can go in, right in, to the painting? And then what?" Benjamin looked alarmed.

"He's a magician, Ben. A sorcerer. A sorcerer. And a bit of magic could help me to rescue Henry." And a bit of magic could help me to rescue Henry."

"Which bit?" said Benjamin gravely "And how?"

"I don't know do I I - until I get in!" - until I get in!"

"Suppose you can't get out?"

"Don't be crazy Ben. It's not as if I'll go right into another time, like Henry It'll be like when I hear voices. I don't go right into the photos. It's just my mind."

" Hm Hm ," muttered Benjamin. "Be careful." He turned away and crossed the road with Runner Bean bounding beside him. ," muttered Benjamin. "Be careful." He turned away and crossed the road with Runner Bean bounding beside him.

Charlie ran up the steps to number nine. He wished he hadn't snapped at Benjamin. To tell the truth he was a little afraid of what might happen when he went into the sorcerer's room.

Mrs. Bone had laid clean clothes on the bed, ready for school. Charlie began to pack his bag. He left the painting until last. Without looking at it he began to wrap it in a shirt. But as he turned the painting over he caught sight of the sorcerer's dark figure. Once again, the face turned toward him.

"Soon!" said the sorcerer.

THE TOLLROC.

Olivia had made a decision. If it was impossible for Charlie to find Henry then she would. She wouldn't tell wouldn't tell anyone about it. She would just do it. anyone about it. She would just do it.

During the first break on Monday Olivia wandered around the field by herself. Bindi Bindi was still at home with the flu and Olivia didn't feel like joining the other girls. They were discussing the new play and Olivia hadn't been given a very good part. Mrs. Marlowe head of the drama department, had told her that she must let others have a chance to shine. After all, she'd had a starring role in the Christmas play. was still at home with the flu and Olivia didn't feel like joining the other girls. They were discussing the new play and Olivia hadn't been given a very good part. Mrs. Marlowe head of the drama department, had told her that she must let others have a chance to shine. After all, she'd had a starring role in the Christmas play.

"What's up, Olivia?" called Charlie.

"What? Brown hair?" said Fidelio.

The two boys strolled over to her.

"I've been too busy for hair," said Olivia. "Anyway, I needed a change. Any news of Henry?" Any news of Henry?"

Charlie shook his head. "I know he's in the ruin but I can't get in. I'm still being watched. Look!" He glanced across the field at Zelda Dobinski Dobinski and her friend, Beth Strong. They were both staring at him. On the other side of the field, Manfred and and her friend, Beth Strong. They were both staring at him. On the other side of the field, Manfred and Asa Asa were pacing beside the wood. Manfred looked over his shoulder, saw Charlie, and looked away were pacing beside the wood. Manfred looked over his shoulder, saw Charlie, and looked away " Asa's Asa's bandages are off, then," Olivia remarked. bandages are off, then," Olivia remarked.

"That means he's back in business," said Fidelio grimly This was bad news. Olivia gave a nervous shrug. She noticed Lucretia Lucretia Yewbeam Yewbeam standing beside the garden door. The matron was watching Charlie. standing beside the garden door. The matron was watching Charlie.

"Your aunt's still on the warpath," said Olivia.

Charlie told her about Paton's accident. "He said they did it; his own sisters tried to run him over."

"But why?" asked Olivia.

"I'm not sure, but I think it's got something to do with a picture they gave me. It's a painting of a sorcerer called Skarpo Skarpo . He might be able to help me rescue Henry." . He might be able to help me rescue Henry."

"How?" asked Fidelio. "He can't come out of the painting, can he?"

"No, but I can go in."

Fidelio and Olivia looked dumbstruck.

"But you've got to find Henry first," Olivia murmured.

"I know." Charlie sighed. "And I haven't a clue how I'm going to do that."

Olivia looked up at the slate gray clouds and gave a mysterious smile. "Not long now" she said.

Before Charlie could work out what she meant, the horn sounded for the end of break and Olivia rushed off to her mime lesson.

That evening, when the juniors were getting ready for bed, Olivia prepared herself for the night ahead. She She set the alarm on her watch for midnight, kept her tights on under her pajamas, and placed her outdoor shoes close to the head of her bed. set the alarm on her watch for midnight, kept her tights on under her pajamas, and placed her outdoor shoes close to the head of her bed.

She needn't have bothered with the alarm. At midnight she was still wide awake. She was both anxious and excited at the prospect of going into the ruin alone at night.

Quickly slipping out of bed, Olivia put on her shoes and swung her purple cape around her shoulders. She tiptoed across the dormitory and was about to open the door, when a voice whispered, "Is that you, Olivia?"

"What if it is?"

"Where are you going?" asked Emma Tolly Tolly in a hushed voice. in a hushed voice.

" Shh Shh ! ! To the bathroom." To the bathroom."

"You're not. You're going out, aren't you?" There was a creak and, all at once, Emma was standing beside Olivia. "Let me come with you."

"No. It's got nothing to do with you. Go back to bed or we'll be caught." Olivia opened the door and leaped into the pa.s.sage.

"I want to help," said Emma as Olivia closed the door.

Why's Emma being friendly? Emma being friendly? Olivia wondered as she hurried along the chilly pa.s.sages. Olivia wondered as she hurried along the chilly pa.s.sages. Suspicious, that's what it is. Suspicious, that's what it is.

She became more cautious as she pa.s.sed the senior girls' dormitories. She didn't want Zelda Dobinski Dobinski or Beth Strong to leap out and grab her. The a.s.sistant matrons always looked so tired they were bound to be asleep. That left only Matron or Beth Strong to leap out and grab her. The a.s.sistant matrons always looked so tired they were bound to be asleep. That left only Matron Yewbeam Yewbeam , and she was probably lurking near Charlie's dormitory , and she was probably lurking near Charlie's dormitory A cold wind had blown the clouds away and a full moon beamed through the windows that Olivia occasionally pa.s.sed. There was just enough light in the long pa.s.sages for her to see her way to the staircase.

The hall looked vast when it was empty and here Olivia kept close to the paneled walls. As she skirted the great slate-stoned room she kept an anxious eye on the staircase, but no one appeared. She reached the garden door, drew back the bolts, and slipped out into the night.

The moon was so bright that every stone and plant, every bush and blade of gra.s.s was silvered with light. Olivia gave in to a sudden urge. She spread her cape out like wings, and rushed across the frozen ground in joyful, leaping strides.

The dark walls of the ruin brought her back to earth. This was the part she'd been dreading. She wrapped her cape tightly around her body and slipped through the entrance.

For a moment, Olivia thought she must be dreaming. A cat sat in the center of the paved courtyard. It was a bright coppery red, and every whisker, every hair was glowing.

The cat purred softly and Olivia realized that she had seen it before, at Miss Ingledew's Ingledew's Christmas party. In the bookshop it had looked unusual, but here, in the dark, it was magical. Christmas party. In the bookshop it had looked unusual, but here, in the dark, it was magical.

"You're Aries, aren't you?" breathed Olivia.

The cat purred, then then he turned and ran to one of the dark tunnels that led into the ruin. It was boarded with thick wooden planks, but the cat stepped neatly through a gap at the bottom. he turned and ran to one of the dark tunnels that led into the ruin. It was boarded with thick wooden planks, but the cat stepped neatly through a gap at the bottom.

If he can do it, can do it, so can I, thought Olivia. so can I, thought Olivia. Kneeling on the ground, she squeezed under the planks, just as the cat had done; arms first and then her legs. As soon as she was in the tunnel Olivia stood up and followed the glowing cat. Kneeling on the ground, she squeezed under the planks, just as the cat had done; arms first and then her legs. As soon as she was in the tunnel Olivia stood up and followed the glowing cat.

The tunnel had a dangerous slope; the ground was slimy and black water dripped from the rocky walls. Olivia kept her eyes on the cat. He was leading her somewhere and she had to trust him.