(eng) Martin Booth - The Alchemist's Son 02 by Soul Stealer

Author:Soul Stealer [Stealer, Soul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Seven

A Bungalow like Any Other—Not!

“Zoland’s house,” Tim considered as they sat at a table in the dining hall, “is going to be easier said than done.” He bit into an apple. “Scrotton’s hole only had guardian worms.” He winced at the thought. “It didn’t have doors and windows with locks. And while it’s true that as long as we’re in school, so is Yoland, and therefore we know where he is, I don’t see how we can take advantage of that. We certainly can’t risk the sick-note scam again so soon and we can hardly stake the joint out. What’s more, Scrotton must have told his master that someone had searched his burrow on the day Sebastian supposedly had the runs. If we’re not careful, Yoland’ll put two and two together and make 193.”

“Two plus two equals four,” Sebastian interrupted, perplexed by Tim’s arithmetic. “And what are the runs?”

“Use your imagination,” Tim retorted.

“Surely if we do get in,” Pip added, “won’t he have a warning system like Scrotton has?”

“Assuredly,” Sebastian answered, which did little to allay Pip’s uneasiness.

They were still contemplating the problem an hour later when, during a library study session, the answer to it fell into their laps.

Halfway through the period, a Year Nine boy entered, handing a slip of paper to the librarian, who briefly perused it then announced, “Notice from the headmaster. Due to an emergency staff meeting, classes will end ten minutes early today. Pupils are to vacate the grounds as quickly as possible and by four o’clock at the latest. School buses will arrive ten minutes early. Only those involved in the soccer trials may remain on school property, congregating in the gym. It is hoped the trials will commence at five-fifteen.”

“You know what this means?” Pip whispered from behind a book on the history of costume. “For as long as the staff meeting lasts, Yoland will be here. And we’ve got until about a quarter past five.”

“How so?” Tim replied.

“Think, dumbo!” Pip came back at him. “The team trials don’t start until five-fifteen when the staff leave the meeting.”

No sooner was the lesson over than Tim phoned his mother on his mobile phone and asked her if he, Pip and Sebastian could go to the cinema straight after school. She agreed and said she would pick them up at eight o’clock at Burger King, giving Sebastian a lift as well. “Sure thing!” he answered and hung up.

Mounted on the corridor wall by the school secretary’s office was a map of the town and the surrounding countryside, color-coded to show the streets and areas from which the school drew its pupil intake. Tim quickly identified Keats Road, a suburban street across the other side of the town and just outside the school’s district.

“It won’t be wise for us to approach or leave the place together,” Tim decided. “A threesome might attract attention.”

“And,” Pip added, “if we meet Yoland when we’re on our way back, one can offer an excuse easier than three.”

They each studied a different route, memorizing it.

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