Page 41 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

Kendra frowned and scanned the little cabinet. ‘I’m going to bet it’s the one that stands out like a sore thumb!’ she said after a couple of seconds, pointing at a scruffy little book that looked like it was falling apart at the seams. The spine was so cracked, it was impossible to read the title… but that didn’t matter. Ruby knew exactly what it was.

Slotting the key into the lock, she opened the door and gently took hold of it.

‘It’s another copy of Persuasion!’ said Kendra in surprise. ‘I’m no expert - but it doesn’t look like a first edition or anything!’

‘That’s because it’s not,’ said Ruby. She flipped open the cover and pointed at a name scrawled inside in biro.

Oliver Evans. Class 12A.

‘Oli’s old school copy?’ said Kendra.

‘Yep!’ said Ruby, flicking through the familiar pages.

‘Wow – look at the state of it,’ said Kendra, staring at the pages as they fluttered past, littered with pencil lines and copious biro notes crammed into the margins. ‘I thought annotating was a new thing!’

‘Nah… and it was the best way to get things to sink into his skull,’ said Ruby, running a finger over the heavy lettering. This poor book hadn’t stood a chance with Oli around! ‘He had to pay to replace it once he was done, though - the school didn’t want it back.’

‘Erm… I can see why!’ said Kendra. ‘Still don’t get why it’s in here, though.’

‘Chapter 6,’ said Ruby. ‘Let’s see…’ She turned the pages more slowly, searching for a clue. ‘Okay - that’s not subtle!’ she laughed as a stark stripe of bright pink highlighter glowed at her.

‘What’s he highlighted?’ said Kendra.

Ruby glanced at her. The young girl’s eyes were wide, and she was clearly as invested in this little mystery as she was.

‘Erm…’ said Ruby, her eyes scanning the familiar words. ‘It’s a passage about having to look after naughty kids. “But you know it is very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking every moment; “don’t do this,” and “don’t do that,” or that one can only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them.”’

The words “more cake than is good for them” had been underlined three times. Ruby grinned.

‘I don’t get it?’ said Kendra, cocking her head.

‘I think it’s your boss’s less-than-subtle hint that the next clue is in the bakery.’

‘Where you can buy more cake than is good for you,’ said Kendra.

‘I reckon!’ laughed Ruby. ‘And… going by his first clue, I’d better take the book with me… if that’s okay?’

‘Fine by me,’ said Kendra with a shrug.

‘Thanks for your help,’ said Ruby. ‘See you tomorrow - I’m looking forward to your questions.’

Kendra’s eyes went wide with excitement. ‘Be ready to fill me in on what happens next today!’

Over an hour later, Ruby found herself wandering into the bar of the Dolphin and Anchor. Her basket was full to the brim. A huge bag of goodies from the bakery had been joined by a bunch of flowers from the florist at the top of the hill, several bags of sweets from the sweet shop, and a set of colourful plastic cups and plates from Bendall’s.

The last clue had told her she should head to the spot where the “captain hits his bullseyes.”

‘Ah hah!’ she said, peering across the room at the dartboard in the corner. Sure enough, there was a dart lodged right at its centre with yet another luggage label dangling from it.

“Bring your own bottle,” she read. Well, that was simple enough, given that there was a little arrow pointing straight down at a bottle of prosecco and two bottles of ginger beer sitting on the table below the dartboard. She flipped the label over hoping for more. Sure enough…

“It’s time for a ride in the highest-ranking Captain’s ship!”

“Rank” was underlined several times, and Ruby giggled, rolling her eyes. The first clue back in the café might have been a tough nut to crack, but they’d become easier and easier as she’d missioned her way around town.

Popping the bottles into her basket, Ruby dashed back outside and headed straight for the Dolphin and Anchor’s little carpark at the back where Brian Singer - captain of the darts team - had his unofficial taxi rank. Sure enough, the gallant captain was sitting behind the wheel with a book propped open in front of him.

‘Ruby - you found me!’ he laughed as she tapped on the window to get his attention.

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