Charlie Bone and the Time Twister (Children of the Red King, Book 2) by Jenny Nimmo

Author:Jenny Nimmo [Nimmo, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-08-24T02:28:43+00:00

CHAPTER 10

THE PETS’ CAFÉ

For a few seconds, Charlie and his great-uncle looked at each other in complete silence. And then Paton sat at the table and said, "I wish I'd known about this before, but to tell the truth, Charlie, I've only just learned what your endowment could lead to."

"I don't understand," said Charlie. At the back of his mind he could still hear the dreadful chanting voice.

"It's like this," said Paton. “As you know, I've been working on a history of the Yewbeams and their ancestor, the Red King. This has entailed a great deal of research, in the course of which I have come across several characters whose talents are very similar to yours and those of your friends. One of them, a certain Charles Pennybuck, began by hearing portraits speak — he lived long before photos had arrived on the scene — this eventually led to his entering the portraits and conversing directly with the — how shall we say — the persons depicted in the paintings.”

"You mean, they could see him, too?"

"Oh, yes," said Paton. "Unfortunately poor Pennybuck came to a very sticky end. Got caught in the portrait of a really nasty character, the Count of Corbeau, if I remember rightly Went quite mad."

"Who?" asked Charlie. " Pennybuck or the count?"

" Pennybuck, of course," said Paton. "Oh dear, I probably shouldn't have told you that, Charlie. Now, you mustn't worry I'm sure it won't happen to you."

"But what about Skarpo?" said Charlie anxiously "I mean if he's seen me . . ."

"Ah, Skarpo!" Paton went to the fridge and took out a bottle of cider. " Hm." He took two glasses from a cupboard and brought them to the table.

" Skarpo," Charlie prompted. "You were saying?"

" Skarpo lived about five hundred years ago. This portrait is very old." Paton tapped the back of the picture. "He was the kind of sorcerer that Ezekiel Bloor would like to have been, but old Ezekiel could never manage anything like Skarpo."

"Such as what?" asked Charlie.

"Better for you not to know." Paton held up the bottle. "Want some cider, dear boy? I'm sure you could do with some." He poured a glass for himself.

"No, thanks," said Charlie impatiently "Uncle Paton, I think you might tell me a bit more about Skarpo. I mean what's going to happen to me now that he’s' seen me?"

"I've no idea," said Paton. "Perhaps nothing will happen. And then again, perhaps you can actually make use of his power. There was a lot of it, according to my books. Just be on your guard, Charlie. If you find yourself acting strangely then come and tell me, and we'll try and figure something out."

This wasn't very reassuring, but Charlie realized it was the best he could hope for. He decided to take a sip of Paton's cider and then another.

"Feasting in the dark," said Mrs. Bone, turning on the light.

"Woops!" said Paton, averting his eyes from the lamp. "Watch out, Amy I've already had one accident today.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.