The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter

Author:Alex Cotter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Published: 2021-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting on the bus. I don’t even realise it has wheezed back into the station, till the bus driver’s face appears in front of mine. “Last stop, love! Unless you want going back there?”

I shake my head, I do not. I replace Dorset Wreckers in my rucksack and step down into the sounds and sights of the bus station, like I’ve emerged from underwater. The thrum of buses pulling in and out; workers rushing to get home; old people talking loudly to one another.

The whole bus journey I’ve been lost in Dad’s book. I’ve been with sailors in old-fashioned uniforms, shrieking and scrambling to escape the sinking Providence. I’ve been living the lives of “wreckers” – Dorset smugglers who took thieving one deadly step further, “wrecking” ships. Shining their lanterns on cliffs near rocks to force ships to crash for easy looting. Using their lightkeeper roles to get rich!

According to Uncle Art – that’s what my ancestor did! He forced Providence to crash, and all the crew to die, to plunder its treasure! Tom Walker, who built The Lookout and used my room to warn and save ships – was a wrecker!

This must be what Tess Walker meant by “ill-gotten gains” in her letter!

A heavy weight lands on my chest, making it hard to breathe: that means Noah’s sea ghosts are here to reclaim treasure – from the family who stole it from them in the first place! From the family that caused their deaths. My skin turns icy-cold under my winter coat.

No wonder the sea ghost I heard today sounds furious! No wonder he screams at night! My thoughts spin like a merry-go-round.

If it belongs to them, they should have it!

But they’re ghosts! It’s not like they can open a bank account!

The Lookout needs the treasure! Dad needs to come home!

But… What will the sea ghosts do … if the murderous Walkers steal it again?

I start weaving fast round snaking bus queues, trying to remember where I locked up my bike. I’m so tense with worry and confusion, I don’t even spot him at first. Standing with his back to me, checking a bus timetable, with the kind of bag over his shoulder like he’s going somewhere, for a long time. For some daft reason, that makes me feel worse.

“You’re leaving?” I come up behind, not meaning to startle him.

There’s no crooked-teeth smile, only a thin line with a scowl. “I’m not talking to you.” He turns back to the timetable.

“What have I done?” I ask in a small voice.

Sam pushes a hand up like he’s stopping traffic but doesn’t turn to face me. “You promised you wouldn’t say anything about me living with my gran!”

“I haven’t!” I say quickly.

His eyes swipe round. The thin line’s a sneer now. “You told my gran she’s mean to me! And now I have to leave!”

I flush red with shame. “Mrs Hollowbread told you what I said?”

“You told her she wasn’t letting me wash!”

“Well,” I dance my head and try to subtly indicate his grubby appearance.

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