Children of the Red King #6: Charlie Bone and the Beast by Nimmo Jenny

Author:Nimmo, Jenny [Nimmo, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens, Adventure, Mystery
ISBN: 9780545520966
Goodreads: 17297409
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: 2007-06-01T07:00:00+00:00

All the excitement had roused Mrs. Pike. Heaving herself upright, she asked, “What’s going on?”

“Benjamin’s dog fell into the river, Mrs. Pike,” Olivia told her. “And now Ben’s rushed off to find him.”

“In that?” Mrs. Pike stared at the foam spilling across the water. “He’ll drown, poor boy.”

“He’s very sensible,” Olivia assured her. “And at least we’re safe. Look, just a little way now, and we’re there.”

Charlie thought, Benjamin’s not safe. But Asa’s mother seemed to need his help more than anyone else just then.

Mrs. Pike managed to hop the rest of the way over the bridge, but needed Charlie’s arm to steady herself on the steps up to the road.

“Charlie Bone, there’s a light on your head,” Mrs. Pike observed when they got to the top.

“Oh, yes. She’s my wand,” said Charlie, “or rather she WAS my wand. Her light helped us to get across the bridge.”

“A wand …” Mrs. Pike spoke in a faraway sort of voice. “How very useful.”

A narrow lane bordered by tall hedges led into the town. Once on High Street there would be only a short way to go before they reached the Pets’ Café.

The town was not busy that morning. It was misty and cold, and no one paid much attention to two children and a hopping person whose face was hidden by a large hood. Mrs. Pike couldn’t move as fast as Charlie would have liked, but at last they turned into the cobblestoned alley called Frog Street.

Standing at the very end of Frog Street, the Pets’ Café had an ancient look about it. Who could tell how long it had been there, for it was built into the thick city wall, and that was nine hundred years old. Above the window there was a sign decorated with whiskers, paws, tails, and wings. No one was allowed to enter without a pet. Luckily, Charlie knew the owners well.

It was now ten o’clock. The café opened at half past ten. Charlie rang the bell. There was, of course, no answer. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Onimous, didn’t like people arriving early. They wouldn’t open the door on principle.

Charlie banged on the window and shouted, “Help! Mr. Onimous, come quickly. PLEASE!”

Mrs. Pike gave a small moan and sank to the ground.

“Mr. Onimous, come quickly!” cried Charlie again. “There’s been an accident.”

The door opened very suddenly and a large man wearing a yellow sweater stood glaring down at them. “You know we don’t open until half past ten,” he bellowed.

Norton Cross was the doorman, or bouncer, as Charlie liked to call him. It was Norton’s duty to prevent anyone without a pet from entering the premises.

“This is an emergency, Mr. Cross!” wailed Olivia.

Norton folded his arms across his chest. “Where are your pets?”

Charlie had no answer.

“I suppose you call a moth a pet,” said Norton.

“Ummm …,” Charlie began.

“There’s one on your head,” said Norton.

“Ah, yes. My pet,” Charlie agreed.

“And yours?” Norton asked Olivia.

“You’re wasting time,” Olivia said angrily. “I haven’t actually got …”

At this point there was a moan from the ground.

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