Beyond the Hedge by Kevin Clarke

Author:Kevin Clarke [Kevin Clarke]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781911280842
Publisher: Eline Stoye
Published: 2016-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Suddenly, as he ran his hand over the head of one of the dragons, the floor of the hearth opened up, revealing a stone staircase. Andrew stared at it in horror. What had he done?

Then, remembering why he was there, he stepped cautiously down the steps.

He found himself in another room, very like the one above, but this room was full of fine furniture and amazing things. There were all kinds of Chinese-style ornaments: silk screens, candelabras, ornate bureaus, fine tapestries on the walls and everything he could have imagined that would be in the house of a rich gentleman living in the 18th century. There was a long table, laden with fine china and gold cutlery. Andrew could only stand and stare in wonder at it all. Then, quickly regaining his thoughts, he began searching for any sign of the missing jewels. He was so busy with his search that he hadn’t noticed the room was getting darker and colder. Suddenly, his concentration was interrupted.

“What right have you to be here?” a voice boomed from the far end of the room.

Andrew spun round to see the spectre of a tall man, dressed in a brocade jacket, silk shirt and leggings. He was wearing a powdered wig and he carried a large whip which he pointed menacingly towards him.

Andrew gulped. He knew immediately who the figure was. It was Joshua’s Uncle Reuben.

“I was lost, sir,” he mumbled, edging his way back towards the steps.

“Lost! Well, we’ll see about that. You’re just another meddling brat like my nephew. I soon disposed of him and I can easily do the same for you,” the ghost snarled as he began gliding towards Andrew.

“Never!” Andrew screamed and raced for the steps. He had never run so fast in his life before, but he made it back into the empty room and headed for the door. Then, wrenching it open, he dived back onto the landing and slammed the door behind him.

From inside the room, he could hear the ghost ranting and raving and then, all was silent.

His mind was racing. Had the ghost intended to hurt him?

Waiting a minute or two, he carefully opened the door and looked in. The room was as it was before – empty, except for the large fireplace. The steps had disappeared and there was no sound to be heard. Andrew carefully closed the door again and walked slowly back down the stairs to the kitchen. He was still shaking, but he knew he had to get on with the jobs; his mother would be back soon and it had to look as if he had done some work.

If only he could tell her what had happened, but he knew there was no point – she wouldn’t believe him!

He sat down at the table and began cleaning the silver.

He would have to tell Joshua what had happened, but when?

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