Page 15 of Fiendish Delights
He bowed. ‘I’ll make the arrangements immediately.’ He glanced at me. ‘I’ll get Becky to make a start while Daisy and I finish up. I’m looking forward to a new treasure hunt.’
I bit my lip. Oh dear.
Chapter
Five
Hugo drove us to Edinburgh with my bike secured to the roof of his car. Hester and Otis were uncharacteristically quiet during the whole journey. I’d been hoping that at least one of them would have the temerity to tell Hugo exactly what treasure I was trying to retrieve, but it appeared that they were too baffled by his company to mention it. That meantIwould haveto spill the beans.
I directed him to Mud McAlpine’s tenement building. Hugo pulled into the nearest parking bay and turned off the engine. I resisted the temptation to leap out of his car and run away as fast as I could and stayed where I was, awkwardly twisting my fingers together in my lap.
‘So, um, before we go in,’ I said, ‘I should tell you what we’re hunting for.’
With Duchess taken care of, Hugo’s mood had returned to cheerful buoyancy. ‘Yes,’ he agreed pleasantly. ‘You should.’
‘It’s, uh, a commission.’
‘Okay.’
I chewed on my bottom lip. This was painful. ‘And I’mhappy to go fifty-fifty with you as this is now a joint enterprise,’ I said.
Hester snorted from somewhere towards the rear of the car. I waited, still hoping she’d reveal the truth before I had to. When no words were forthcoming, I knew I had to continue. I reached into my bag, took out my wallet and located some coins, then dropped them into Hugo’s hand. ‘Two pounds fifty,’ I said. ‘It’s all yours. Don’t spend it all at once.’
He stared at the paltry amount of money and then at me. I saw his mouth twitch and I hastily looked away.
‘My client is a nine-year-old girl, a sweet kid called Sophia.’ I licked my lips. ‘She’s asked me to retrieve her doll, which was taken from a nearby cemetery.’ I still didn’t dare look directly at Hugo. ‘It was the last gift her mother gave her before she died, so the doll is very precious. It’s called Nancy. The witch who lives here took it while Sophia’s back was turned. He won’t return it unless I give him a troll’s toenail clipping.’
Hugo didn’t say anything. After several seconds had ticked by, I risked a peek. He was staring out of the car windscreen, his cheeks stained red and his jaw set into a firm line.
‘I’m sorry!’ I burst out. ‘I know you’ve agreed to terrible terms with Duchess because of this. I know it’ll cost you a fortune. I tried to warn you off.’
Hugo’s cheeks turned redder.
‘I’ll pay you back. We can set up a payment plan,’ I said. ‘Every penny. No matter how long it takes.’
A strange tiny sound escaped his lips.
‘I didn’t ask you to get involved!’ I almost shouted.
This time the sound coming from Hugo was even louder. His shoulders were shaking and I started to think he was in danger of bursting a blood vessel. I only realised what was really happening in the very second he could no longer containhimself. His laughter erupted into peals of hysteria that filled the car.
I folded my arms across my chest. ‘It’s not funny. It’s a serious matter – at least it is to this kid. The doll is her treasure.’
Hugo half-choked. ‘And she’s paid you a whole five pounds for your services.’
I glared. ‘It’s not as if she has a job. She probably saved up her pocket money.’
‘Daisy Carter, treasure hunter extraordinaire.’ He laughed harder.
A couple of matching brownie chortles drifted from the rear of the car and I rolled my eyes. They were supposed to be on my side. Then, out of nowhere, a small giggle escaped my lips. I clamped a hand over my mouth but it didn’t work. The giggle grew and quickly became uncontrollable, even though I did everything I could to stop it. Before long, I was laughing as much as Hugo.
‘It’s really not funny,’ I gasped, wiping tears from my eyes.
Hugo shook his head. ‘Definitely not.’
‘It’s just that laughter is contagious.’
‘Uh-huh.’
