Page 52 of A Merry Little Christmas
‘But if the chutney isn’t in there, there’s no point trying to break in, is there?’ said Fen.
‘Very true,’ I agreed, joining Maddy and peering in the window with my phone light. ‘I can’tseeany likely boxes. Although that lawn mower is definitely blocking the view.’
‘There’s a sky light.’ Maddy pointed at the window in the sloping roof. ‘I’ll shin up this tree here and get a better view. If the chutney’s not there, we’ll have to abandon the mission.’
‘Maddy,don’t!’ I gasped, as we all gazed at her in horror. But she was already clambering onto the lowest branch and then levering herself up onto the branch above, which hung close to the skylight.
‘It’s a solid branch. It’s really quite safe,’ she hissed, sitting astride it and edging herself slowly along towards the window.
‘Come down, for goodness’ sake,’ called Fen. ‘You’re making me nervous.’
Maddy ignored her, craning her neck to see inside the shed. ‘Throw me your torch, Katja?’
So I did and she managed to catch it, wobbling alarmingly in the process, which made us all draw in sharp breaths.
‘There’s nothing in there,’ she announced, sounding disappointed. ‘No boxes. And not a single jar of chutney in sight. Just a lawn mower and garden tools.’
‘You should definitely come down now,’ urged Jaz.
‘Yes. We need to go before someone sees us.’ Fen glanced around her nervously. Then she gasped, ‘Schitt’s Creek! I just saw a face at the summer house window!’
We all swung round to look.
But the windows gazed blankly back at us.
‘I’m sure I saw something,’ Fen insisted, looking shocked. ‘Human, I think. But it was really pale, like a ghost.’
‘Maybe it was a reflection?’ I rubbed her arm reassuringly, although I could feel the hairs on my own arms standing up. ‘I don’t blame you for being spooked. It’s really quite creepy out here in the semi-dark.’
‘Just in case, we should probably get out of here,’ suggested Jaz.
‘Er... easier said than done,’ announced Maddy from her perch in the tree. ‘I’ve sort of got a branch stuck down my jeans.’
‘What? Can’t you pull it out?’ I whispered.
‘No. I think it’s snagged on my knicker elastic.’
There were a few suppressed snorts of laughter at this.
‘Hey, it’s not funny. I’m getting a wedgie up here.’
A light suddenly snapped on in the house and we all froze.
‘We need to get out of here,’ I urged. ‘Maddy, just pull yourself free.’
But Maddy was staring across at the summer house. Then she looked at the light that had come on. ‘That’s the landing light. Hopefully just someone going to the loo. Look, you lot scarper back to the car and I’ll join you just as soon as I get myself free.’
‘We can’t leave you here!’ protested Fen.
‘No, it’s fine.’ She was reaching behind her and then we heard the crack of a twig. ‘There. Done.’
‘Come on down, then,’ urged Jaz.
‘I will. I’ve just got something I need to do. Once that light goes off again.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, go on!’ Maddy hissed. ‘Go back to the car and I’ll be there in a minute.’
