Eye Spy by Tessa Buckley

Author:Tessa Buckley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784626778
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd

Chapter Thirteen: A BUNDLE OF PAPERS

When we got home that night, I noticed immediately that the atmosphere in the house had changed and the pall of gloom had lifted. There was no sign of Dad, but we could hear Nan moving around in the kitchen and singing along to her favourite golden oldies programme on the radio. If she was singing again, things must be improving.

When she saw us, Nan pointed silently, and we saw the light in the workshop window, twinkling away at the bottom of the garden. Nobody said anything, but we all heaved a collective sigh of relief. It looked as if things were back to normal.

“Now Ian’s working again,” Nan said, as she put on her coat and picked up her handbag, “I feel I can safely go out and enjoy myself, so I’ve arranged to go to the cinema with Marjorie. There’s a casserole for you all in the oven. See you later.”

At half past six I called Dad in from the workshop and Donna served up the casserole. We chatted as we ate, and Dad joined in from time to time. Although he was still quite preoccupied, he seemed in a good mood. After we’d finished eating, he stayed at the table, drawing diagrams on scraps of paper. We squinted over his shoulder at the squiggly lines. “What is it?” Donna asked.

“I’m making modifications to Hamish so he can identify smells,” Dad said. “It means he’ll be able to detect drugs, just like a sniffer dog. It’ll make him more marketable.”

Donna and I looked at each other. The moment had arrived. I took a deep breath and launched into the speech I’d prepared.

“At school today, a couple of people from a big company gave a talk about design and technology. They said they had a big research department and were looking for new ideas. They sounded like just the sort of people who’d be interested in Hamish.”

Dad didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic. “I doubt it, Alex. It’s a very specialised field. Very few companies in this country are geared up for this sort of modern technology.”

“That’s just it, Dad!” said Donna eagerly. “They already make cameras and sensors, so surely they’re ideal.”

She had his full attention now. He raised his eyebrows at her. “You think so, do you? And what’s the name of this ‘ideal’ company?”

“It’s Holtech, Dad. They’re a local company…” Donna’s voice tailed off as she saw Dad’s expression change.

“Holtech,” he said softly. “I see. And did you by any chance mention my robot to them?” He was standing up now, and glowering at Donna across the table.

I jumped to her defence. “Of course not, Dad. Not exactly…”

“You promised not to tell anyone! So much for family loyalty! How dare you interfere!” His voice rose in anger, and my stomach began to turn somersaults. Everything was going horribly wrong. We’d meant well, but somehow we’d only made things worse.

Donna leapt to her feet. She was as angry as he was now. “Don’t you want to sell any of your inventions?” she shouted.

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