Page 16 of Fiendish Delights
‘A couple of months ago, I was hunting for treasure that was worth millions. Now I’m searching for a ragdoll.’
‘Your intentions are honourable.’
I clutched my sides. ‘They’re not. The kid manipulated me into it. I didn’t even agree properly.’
‘Don’t worry.’ Hugo chuckled. ‘This will go down in the annals of history as one of the greatest treasure hunts of all time.’
I thumped his arm. ‘Yeah, yeah.’
‘You know that I agreed to pay Duchess thousands of pounds for her toenail just so I could join you?’
‘That makes you crazier than I am.’
His blue eyes met mine and crinkled at the corners. ‘I suppose it does. Why on earth would a witch want a troll toenail?’
‘Honestly, Hugo?’ I finally managed to calm myself down, ‘I have no earthly idea.’
His grin stretched from ear to ear. ‘Well, let’s go and find out so we can rescue Nancy the doll and save the day.’
‘Whoop whoop!’ Hester screeched. ‘Let’s do this!’
This time I took the brownies along. The four of us trooped down the narrow, unkempt garden path, into the tenement hallway and down the stairs to Mud McAlpine’s front door. I rapped on it and moved next to Hugo to wait. ‘I’ll do the talking,’ I said for Otis and Hester’s benefit.
It was Hugo who answered. ‘You’re the boss.’ He smiled at me.
I smiled back and we looked at each other for a long moment until Otis cleared his throat pointedly. ‘Hello? Are we doing this?’
‘Otis!’ Hester chided. ‘Stop interrupting! They’re having a moment.’
My cheeks started to warm and I stepped away to put more space between Hugo and me. Fortunately, that was when Mud opened his door.
He looked in worse shape than before. The pallor of his skin was now a dull, ash grey and his eyes were redder. A strange scent that I couldn’t identify lingered in the air around him. It was acrid and unpleasant and strong enough to make my eyes water. ‘Mud McAlpine is busy!’ he yelled.
I did my best to sound patient. ‘Hi, Mr McAlpine. It’s Daisy Carter.’ I paused. ‘Remember?’
He squinted as if trying to place me. As recognition dawned in his eyes, his lip curled. ‘Mud isn’t stupid. Of course Mud McAlpine remembers. What does Daisy Carter want?’
I held up the plastic bag containing Duchess’s toenail. ‘I’ve got what you asked for.’
He frowned. ‘Mud McAlpine did not ask for a plastic bag.’
‘No,’ I said, as pleasantly as possible. ‘But there is a troll toenail clipping inside this bag. And it’s fresh, as you requested.’
His expression altered in an instant. ‘Daisy Carter got one? Really?’ He snatched the bag out of my hands and peered inside. ‘Daisy Carter is more capable than she looks!’
I did my best not to take offence but Hester was not impressed by the back-handed compliment. ‘Oi!’ she said. ‘Daisy is a very capable person. Nobody else could have gotten hold of a troll toenail at such short notice!’
Mud blinked owlishly as he noticed her for the first time. ‘Brownie,’ he said. He glanced at Otis. ‘Two brownies.’ His head turned towards Hugo. This time his mouth dropped open. ‘Lord Hugo Pemberville.’
Hugo bowed. ‘Good afternoon. Have we met?’
‘No, but Mud McAlpine knows who you are.’ For the first time he flashed a toothy grin. ‘Mud McAlpine is very happy to welcome such a hero into his home. Please come in.’
Seriously? I ground my teeth. ‘Mr McAlpine,’ I began.
‘Yes, yes. Daisy Carter may come in too.’ He sighed dramatically, but he was still grinning. ‘Come. See what Mud has achieved.’ He thumped his way along his hallway, disappearing into a room at the far end but leaving the door open.
Hugo gave an apologetic shrug. ‘The price of fame,’ he said. He gestured to the doorway. ‘Ladies first.’
