Page 61 of On Circus Lane

“Oh yeah. Sal said it scarred her for life, and I ended up with a lot more boys wanting to come to my house than was strictly necessary.”

I’m still laughing when he stands up and rings the bell.

“Where are we going?” I ask, peering out. We’re on a part of the street lined with shops.

“The next step of your marvellous mystery tour.”

Chapter Eight

TOM

“Are we nearly there?” Bee asks.

I look down at Bee or what I can see of him. He’s currently swaddled in so many layers that he looks like a badly wrapped Christmas parcel. He directs sparkling eyes at me, and the sight makes me smile and feel warm inside.

“It’s not far,” I say. “They’re all there, according to Freddy. They’re just waiting for us.”

“Oh no. We’ve kept everyone waiting?”

“No need to be sorry. I told you these holiday arrangements are more fluid than a pint of water. We do what we want to do.”

He gives a sudden exclamation.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“I think I have the answer.”

“To what? The meaning of life?”

“Muchmore important than that.” He fumbles in his pocket and brings out a pen and a small notebook. Opening it, he looks around as if bemused that there isn’t an available desk on the street.

“Here, you can use me.” Repressing a smile, I turn around to face away from him.

There’s a startled pause. “I beg yourpardon?”

I wriggle my shoulders. “You can rest the pad on my back.”

“I have to say I’ve never done that before with a bloke.” His tone is amused.

“I’mallabout the new experiences.”

“And you really don’t mind?”

“Of course not. Get on with it.”

I feel the pad press down on my back and then he comes close enough for me to feel the heat of his body. I have a second to wonder if this is going to be an erotic experience but then the muttering starts.

“Let me see. This? No, maybe that.Shit, that’s wrong.”

My smile breaks free, and I exchange nods with a couple passing. “Important paperwork emergency,” I call, and they chuckle and move on.

Bee ignores it all. I can practically feel his big brain ticking, and it’s almost intimidating as he scribbles away for a few more minutes.

Finally, he exclaims in triumph. “Got it.”

“Take that, Bembridge scholars.”

“Pardon?”

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