Page 57 of Skulk of Foxes
‘They won’t be able to help your housemate.’ I glanced around. ‘Do you mind if I use your toilet while Monroe sorts this out?’
Charley flicked a look over her shoulder. ‘Your Monroe doesn’t look like he’s sorting anything out at all.’
She had a point. He hadn’t moved a muscle; he was still staring into the room, with a blank look on his face.
‘Anyway,’ Charley continued, ‘help yourself. Top of the stairs, turn right. If you want to snoop around, my bedroom is the next floor up.’ I blinked at her and she laughed. ‘You’re here for a reason and it’s not to help Lizzy. Even if I weren’t a gambling girl, I’d bet my eyeteeth that you want something from me. Just be warned,’ she said, ‘I don’t have much to take. It’s not been a very productive month.’
‘I’m not here to steal anything.’ I was taking back what was already mine. Sort of. ‘Neither am I here to hurt you. Or do anything bad. Or mess up your life. Or…’
‘I get it,’ she said drily. ‘If that caveman friend of yours helps Lizzy, I don’t really care why you’re here. Do what you want.’
I stared at her. ‘Really?’ This was a nice house; it would be kind of fun to mess around for a bit and let off some steam. The thought of sliding down the banister of the grand staircase was particularly tempting.
Charley shrugged. ‘After the last twenty-four hours, and with half of the British Army currently patrolling the streets, I’m not sure I have any worry left. What will be will be.’
I could learn a thing or two from this woman. I stuck out my hand. ‘I’m Madrona,’ I said.
She took my hand and shook it. ‘Hi.’
I gave her an awkward smile. ‘In the interests of honesty,’ I said, ‘I’ve not actually seen a pink elephant. Just on television. But if you know where one is, tell me. I’d love to get up close.’
‘Yeah,’ Charley admitted. ‘Me too.’ She grinned at me and I grinned back.
I was tempted to ask her for a cup of tea then we could sit down and properly chin wag, but I reminded myself that I had an apocalypse to avert. I could make new friends later.
I headed for the stairs. I’d been under the impression that Monroe, for all his swagger, had been stunned into a shock by Lizzy. He hadn’t moved or even twitched since he’d opened the door and seen her. As I passed by, however, I could see that Lizzy was lying on her back, her belly presented towards him in submission.
‘Bunyip,’ he muttered.
I raised an eyebrow. ‘Pardon you.’
He tutted. ‘No.She’sa bunyip. An Australian creature. I’ve not heard of one existing for centuries. It must be in her ancestry – the magic has drawn the beast out of her.’ He shook his head. ‘Amazing.’
I thought she looked like an overgrown mastiff who’d been mated with a giant duck. I patted Monroe on the shoulder. ‘Great. Continue with the fabulous work.’ It was important to keep the staff happy. I tripped up the stairs and left him to it.
I could have asked Charley to find the sphere for me but it seemed prudent not to give away too much of the game unless I really had to. With her relaxed nature and her invitation to look around, she’d proved amenable – but the lady was a gambler at heart. If she knew she had an object in her possession that had unquenchable power, she might be tempted to do something stupid with it. I was no longer taking any chances – not when I had the future of the whole world in my dainty hands.
I scoped out various rooms on the first floor. Most were empty, apart from the aforementioned bathroom and a large bedroom emblazoned with a gigantic Australian flag. Call me Sherlock Holmes. This had to be Lizzy’s room.
When I’d satisfied myself that there was nothing to be seen on this floor, I loped up the next flight of stairs. Again, there was only one room that appeared to be occupied. There was a vast four-poster bed with elaborately carved posts, unmade sheets and very little else. No wonder Charley wasn’t bothered by the fact that I was poking around – there was nothing to poke around in. There was, however, a laundry basket in one corner that was brimming full with dirty clothes. I darted over.
I drew out the clothes one by one. There was no sign of the work clothes I’d seen Charley in at the police station although I admired the other clothes she had. There were a lot of sparkly, revealing tops and short skirts. I didn’t have to speak to her to know her game; no doubt she wore alluring clothing to put off her fellow gamblers. If they were too focused on peering down her cleavage, they’d be less inclined to pay attention to what she was up to her with her cards. Score one for the blue-haired betting lady. My admiration for her dress sense and strategic skills didn’t help me right now, however. The trouble was, there was nothing else in this room. If she’d left her work clothes at work, this was a completely wasted visit.
My eyes fell on the unmade bed. Hang on a minute. I lifted up the corner of the duvet and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the crumpled tunic and trousers underneath. From the looks of them, Charley had collapsed into bed while fully clothed and wriggled out of them before getting dressed this morning.
I extricated the clothes from the sheets then fumbled in the front pocket of the tunic. My heart sank into the pit of my chest when I realised the sphere definitely wasn’t there though. Gasbudlikins.
Trying to remain calm, I searched around. At least with the lack of furniture, it didn’t take long. I got down on all fours and checked under the bed, then in each of the four corners of the room and underneath the laundry basket. There was no sign of the sphere. I pursed my lips and looked around. Maybe it was in Charley’s bed.
Whipping off the duvet, I checked the sheets. Nada. I was on the verge of giving up hope altogether when I saw the sphere nestled against one of the pillows. It must have rolled there when I took off the duvet.
I sprang towards it and snatched it up. Praise be. Charley had obviously slept with it all night, like in some bizarre princess and the pea situation. Or gambler and the object-to-end-the-world situation anyway. It didn’t matter; I had the arsebadgering thing back in my possession. All I needed now was Liung to come through and the world would be safe. I breathed out. Madrona the Madhatter wins the day. Natch.
I tripped out of Charley’s bedroom and headed downstairs. The closer I got, the louder the bickering became.
‘She might transform again at any point. It’s vital she comes with me and my team so that we can keep her safe.’
‘She’s my housemate. Unless she says that she wants to go with you, she’s staying here where she belongs.’
