Page 37 of Fiendish Delights
Steam was still coming out of Hester’s ears. ‘Fairies? We’re brownies! We’re fu?—’
I grabbed hold of her and drew her close. ‘Let the nice people go quietly,’ I told her.
She buzzed angrily as I stepped aside. The faster I got Hester away from them, the better.
Hugo murmured a few more niceties before also moving away. As soon as we were out of earshot, he asked Becky, ‘What are the chances they won’t post that video online?’
‘Almost zero.’
Hugo sighed. ‘Yeah, that’s what I thought.’
Chapter
Twelve
Despite the long day of digging and earth magic, I spent the better part of two hours training with Hugo and Miriam before we sat down to eat dinner by the campfire. As I raised a spoonful of hearty lamb stew into my mouth, Slim held up his phone. ‘It’s already gone viral. Half the country knows we’re here.’
Cumbubbling bollocks. I swallowed my mouthful and eyed Hugo. ‘Is it worth it?’
‘Is what worth it?’
‘Touting yourself on television and maintaining a celebrity profile. Is it worth it?’
His expression darkened. ‘I’m not a celebrity.’
Could have fooled me. I shrugged. ‘Okay, then.’
‘Treasure hunting doesn’t happen in a void,’ Miriam said. ‘We need leads, odd scraps of knowledge. Rumours passed down through generations that aren’t written down anywhere, but which might lead to something extraordinary if they’re followed up.’
‘Not to mention sponsorship,’ Rizwan said.
‘And funding,’ Slim added.
‘It’s a necessary evil,’ Becky finished.
Ah. I sensed this was a discussion they’d had many times before.
‘It’s annoying,’ Hugo conceded. ‘But the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.’
I nodded. ‘Should we expect a large crowd tomorrow?’
‘There might be a few people, yes.’
‘That’s not going to help us keep a low profile and avoid the notice of curious fiends.’
Hugo frowned. ‘I’m aware of that, Daisy.’
Otis nudged Hester. ‘This is all your fault.’
‘It is not!’
‘It is!’
‘It is not!’
I intervened. ‘I swear I will track that family down and hand you over to them if you don’t stop squabbling.’
‘Bitch.’
