The Band of Merry Kids by David Skuy

Author:David Skuy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cormorant Books Inc.
Published: 2018-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

ou’ll be hungry again as soon as you see the treats,” Archie said, the moment his father and Jeffrey left the room. “Trust me.”

“I have a bit of room already,” Lucy said.

They set off. Archie led them to a part of the market Pip hadn’t seen yet.

“Just smell it first,” Lucy gushed.

Once again, Pip had trouble taking it in. Hundreds of different types of breads, biscuits, cookies, and custards were on display.

“It looks too nice to eat,” Harold said. “I don’t know what to choose.”

“Then you’ll have to try one of everything.” Archie laughed.

They joined a line.

“Have you decided?” Lucy asked Archie.

Archie pointed to some delicate little cakes perched on top of a stack of cookies. “Those are the best things ever made,” he stated. “You have to try one.”

“Do you know how much they cost?” Lucy said.

“Two for a penny,” Archie said.

Pip reached for his pouch. He couldn’t make up his mind.

“Excuse me,” a little boy said, brushing up against Pip to get past. Pip felt sorry for the boy. His coat was in a shambles and his face covered in dirt. He ran up the street.

Pip reached inside his shirt frantically.

“Are you okay?” Archie said to Pip.

“My pouch. It’s gone.” The small boy was running away as fast as he could. “That boy took it. After him!”

Pip figured he’d catch him easily, until he had to navigate a series of narrow, twisting side streets and fit between rickety old houses. He ended up in a dead end, surrounded on three sides by buildings. This was obviously where the poorer people lived — a dark and dirty place — and it smelled awful, wet and mouldy. Nottinghamshire didn’t have places like this.

“He must be hiding. Spread out and look,” Pip whispered.

“Over here,” Archie hissed. “See that opening under the wall? He could’ve climbed in there.”

Pip peered down. He couldn’t see much, but it was the only place he could’ve gone. “I’m getting that money back,” he said.

“Agreed,” Lucy said.

Harold and Archie looked equally determined. Pip took a deep breath and climbed into the opening.

He fell.

“Oof.”

He rolled on the floor, the wind knocked out of him a bit. His eyes adjusted quickly, and he could see that he’d fallen into a cellar, fairly large, with big square pillars supporting the building above. A small window against the far wall brought in some light.

“Be careful,” he called up. “It’s a bit of a drop.”

Archie tumbled to the floor. “Thanks for the warning.” He laughed.

Lucy and Harold were more careful, and they lowered themselves onto a pile of rocks and then hopped down.

“He’s not here,” Harold said.

Archie scratched his head. “I didn’t see a way out. How did he get away?”

Pip put a finger to his lips. He closed his eyes and listened. He imagined he was in the forest tracking an animal.

“We know you’re here,” Pip said loudly. “There are four of us. We won’t hurt you. All we want is the money back. Give it and we will go.”

Silence.

Pip moved toward the back of the cellar where it was darkest.

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