Page 76 of Skullduggery
A red car had been behind us for some distance now, but it was too far away for me to see who was inside it. I watched it nervously until Charles slowed down as he prepared to turn into the service station. Almost immediately, the red car indicated to overtake and speeded past. I released the breath I’d been holding.
We had pulled up to the nearest petrol pump when Rose finally stirred and sat up. She looked around,blinked then rubbed her head. I winced and tried to tell myself that hitting her so hard had been the right thing. It didn’t help. ‘Hey,’ I said, wishing I sounded brighter. ‘You’re awake.’
Her brief smile didn’t reach her eyes. She turned to Tash, took Baby Daisy from her and held her close. ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘I’m awake.’ She looked at me. ‘I’m sorry, Daisy. I’m so sorry. There’s no choice.’
‘It’s okay,’ I said, doing my best to reassure her. ‘We got away. But no more blood magic, eh? You can’t risk it. And I’m the one who should be sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you like that.’
‘You did what you had to,’ Rose mumbled and dropped her gaze. Baby Daisy gurgled and she hugged her closer. ‘She needs to be changed,’ she said quietly, then she rubbed her head again and groaned.
‘I’ll do it,’ Tash said. ‘There must be changing facilities here. Besides, I’ve changed enough of your nappies recently, Hugo. I can do it in record time.’
He groaned in mock horror and, I suspected, genuine embarrassment. Rose paid him no attention and grabbed Tash’s arm. ‘No. Don’t leave me.’
Tash looked surprised, but her eyes were filled with compassion. Her gaze flicked to Charles again, then she bit her lip and nodded. ‘If that’s what you want, Rose.’
‘It is.’ Rose straightened up and thrust Baby Daisy into my arms – who immediately started to cry again. Of course she did. ‘Can you do it?’ my mother asked.
Change my own nappy? ‘I’ve never…’
‘Please, Daisy. She needs it.’ Rose gave an awkward smile. ‘Youneed it.’ She leaned forward. ‘I could do with some paracetamol as well. Hugo, could you get me some?’
‘No problem. We should pick up some other supplies if we’re camping out in Berwick for the next few days. I’ll grab some food.’
Charles delved into his pocket, took out his wallet and withdrew a bank card. ‘Can you take some money out and pay for the petrol? The pin is 8749.’ Hugo nodded.
I shifted Daisy in my arms. Her face was screwed up and her soft cries were turning into loud squawks. Great. But I could hardly gainsay Rose after thumping her so hard. ‘Are you two coming?’ I asked the brownies.
Hester flicked a glance at the baby and pulled a face. ‘Nah.’
‘You’ve got this, Daisy,’ Otis agreed. ‘We’ll wait here.’
I couldn’t blame them.
Charles went to the pump and picked up the refuelling hose while Hugo and I walked across the forecourt. ‘I’ll get what we need while you change nappies,’ Hugo said.
No way. ‘I’m not doing this on my own – you’re not leaving me alone with myself, Hugo. Anything might happen.’
‘You’ve faced down vampires, fiends and dragons, Daisy. I think you can manage a baby.’ I gave him a long look. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘I’ll help.’ He leaned over and sniffed. ‘I can’t smell anything. How bad can it be?’
‘Look at the pair of us,’ I muttered. ‘We’re both afraid of a tiny baby.’
‘She’s not justanybaby.’
That didn’t make it any better. I adjusted my hold on her. ‘Come on. I can see a baby-changing sign over there.’
Thankfully the little room was empty, although it was a tight squeeze when all three of us were inside. Hugo rummaged around in the baby bag. ‘I don’t understand what half of this stuff is for.’ He looked at me for guidance.
‘What?’ I asked. ‘You think because I’m a woman I should know? I don’t spend time around babies. I’m as clueless as you are.’
He eyed me. ‘In this current form,’ he gestured to himself, ‘I’m four years older than my mum and six months older than my dad.’
‘I’m ten years older than Rose,’ I reminded him.
‘And they can do this stuff without thinking about it.’ Hugo straightened his shoulders and did his best to look confident. ‘It can’t be that hard. If our parents can do it and they’re younger than us, then we can do it too.’
‘Sure. Although you’ve gotta wonder why they didn’t come and do it themselves to begin with.’ I froze, and so did Hugo. I looked down at Baby Daisy who stared up at me with huge, tear-filled eyes. She didn’t want me, she wanted her mum. ‘Hugo,’ I whispered.
He came to the exact same conclusion at the exact same time. Cumbubbling bollocks.
