Summer of the Monsters by David Sodergren

Author:David Sodergren [Sodergren, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paperbacks and Pugs
Published: 2024-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

PART II

17

It was Friday, and the school crackled with anticipation. All that stood between the pupils and the summer holidays was one half-day of learning, though for Lucy, the more pressing concern was her dad’s impending date with Miss Wade. The day before, they had driven to Auchenmullan to get some groceries from the local Spar so Lucy could prepare the dinner. She had settled on a chicken pasta and bruschetta, which she had learned to make in her Home Economics class.

They also picked up fresh bandages and medical supplies for Sammo, not that he needed them. He was recuperating well. Miraculously well, was how her dad had described his recovery. The scars had almost entirely healed, and his fur was growing back. Lucy thought Sammo was well enough to return to his nest, but he seemed to enjoy the pampering, and she was happy for him to stay as long as he liked.

And so there she sat, in morning registration, juggling thoughts of Sammo and her dad and pasta dinners, when a squeal of feedback assaulted her ears.

The classroom silenced. No one knew what was happening.

The ear-piercing shriek abated, and a tiny speaker crackled in the corner of the room.

“Pupils,” said a garbled voice. “This is Mrs Dalry, your headteacher.”

Lucy wondered if this system had ever been used before. She doubted it, judging by the plume of dust emerging from the small speaker as it vibrated.

“I’m afraid,” Mrs Dalry said, “I have some upsetting news to relay. One of your classmates, Philip McFarlane, has been murdered.”

One girl gasped. Another burst into tears.

“Ah fuckin’ telt ye,” someone whispered.

Mrs Dalry continued in her stern, no-nonsense tone. “Therefore, until further notice, all residents of Kingussie and the surrounding towns must adhere to a strict curfew. No-one under eighteen may be out after six pm, and everyone must remain indoors after nine, unless special permission is granted by the local constabulary.”

“Aye, fuck that for a laugh,” muttered a boy.

“I’m sure you will all join me in sending good wishes to Phil McFarlane’s father, who lost both his son and his wife in the attack. And may I remind all pupils that Fiona Cooper has been missing for several days now, and anyone with information as to her whereabouts is urged to come forwards. Let us now bow our heads in prayer.”

Lucy bowed her head, partly out of respect, but mostly from shock.

Two people dead?

Killed?

And a girl missing?

She wanted more information. Where did the McFarlanes live? And had they been murdered by a human, or by something… else?

She needed answers, dammit, and she had a good idea where to find them.

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