Breaking News by Jacqueline Harvey

Author:Jacqueline Harvey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2018-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

The children trekked back upstairs behind Gary, but instead of stopping at the pub level, they continued on up another couple of flights to a beautiful dining room. Decorated in rich red wallpaper with sepia photographs and other artworks, there was a fireplace and side tables adorned with lamps. It reminded Kensy of Dame Spencer’s house in the countryside, although the pieces here showed quite a bit more wear and tear. Apart from a couple sitting on the other side of the room, the restaurant was empty. Gary ushered the children to their table, which was perpendicular to one of three floor-to-ceiling double-hung windows overlooking the river. Instead of individual chairs, there was an elegant button-upholstered double lounge seat on either side of the table.

‘Welcome to the Spying Room,’ Gary announced, and handed each of the children a pair of binoculars.

‘What?’ Kensy screwed up her nose as she shuffled into her seat by the window.

Max sat down and peered outside. ‘Whoa! You can see MI6 right across there, lit up like a Christmas tree.’ He turned to Gary. ‘So, we’re allowed to spy on the spies? Is that why it’s called the Spying Room?’

Gary nodded. ‘Not just allowed – I strongly encourage it. You never know what you might learn by sitting here.’

Song appeared in the doorway. ‘I see you have Miss Kensington and Master Maxim on the hunt already,’ he said with an amused grin.

‘Have you ever seen anything interesting?’ Kensy asked. She tried to get a peek inside the glass-fronted building while Max adjusted the focus on his binoculars.

‘Well, here’s the thing,’ Gary began. ‘In all the years I’ve been managing this establishment, I’ve seen the lights go on and off – same with the computers. I’ve seen people on the balconies, but I’ve never once spotted a human being inside that building.’

The twins put down their binoculars and stared at him.

‘Are you sure?’ Kensy said. She gazed at the building with renewed interest. It reminded her a little of a Mayan temple.

The manager nodded and crossed his heart. ‘Same goes for every other person working here. Anyway, I should let you have a gander at what you’d like for your dinner.’

‘Why don’t you join us?’ Song suggested.

The man protested that he didn’t want to intrude, but the children practically begged him to stay. They were dying to hear more of his stories. Gary finally agreed, and the group placed their orders. Kensy opted for a burger while Max and Gary chose the cod and chips. Song selected a sirloin steak, medium-rare. It seemed like no time before their meals arrived.

‘So, how was your first day at school?’ Song asked.

‘It was good,’ Kensy said, munching on a fistful of fries. ‘We made lots of friends, which is always a bit surprising on your first day, although I’m not sure about a few of them.’

Max frowned at her, wondering what she was getting at. He’d ask her later. ‘Some of the teachers are hilarious,’ he said, and soon had them all in stitches re-enacting Mr Reffell’s impersonation of Lord Nelson.

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