Page 51 of From Now On

‘When? How?’

‘When, now, and how is by train.’

‘But I… I can’t just get on a train.’

‘Why not? Would you rather do double maths?’

‘Well, no. I haven’t done my homework but…’ Duke tries not to look as horrified as he feels. If Evie thinks it’s possible, perhaps it is. She knows lots of things that Duke doesn’t. She said that’s because she hasn’t led a sheltered life like him and is street-smart, although Duke knows all about road safety and the green man at the crossing so he thinks he’s street-smart too but he’s going toLondon.

Alone.

Evie unzips her back and pulls out a white envelope. ‘I didn’t hand my trip money in this morning because I missed tutor time so…’ she offers it out to him. ‘Come on.’ She senses his reluctance. ‘Charlie could be packing for New York this very second. If you don’t go now it might be too late.’

‘But how…’ His head is spinning.

‘Give me your phone.’

Evie shows him how to check the train times and then the bus. ‘See, if you go to the end of Mendip Street, there’s a bus due in fifteen minutes. Get off after five stops and you’ll be at the station. Then you want a single ticket to St Pancras. Charlie will bring you back with him, I expect.’ She powers his phone off. ‘That’s so the police don’t trace you.’

‘Police?’ He feels a bit dizzy.

‘Don’t worry, you’ll be in London before the end of school and Charlie can ring Vile Violet and tell her you’re with him. I’ll cover for you here. I’ll tell Miss Greenly you were sick so the office sent you home. She’ll never check.’

‘But…’

‘You’ll miss the bus if you don’t go now.’

Duke squeezes his eyes shut, wishing he was as brave as Sam inThe Lord of the Rings.

All The Things You Are.

Courageous. Adventurous. Leaving.

He takes the envelope.

‘Thanks, Evie.’

‘Go out of the school the back way, past the rugby field. There’s a gap in the fence; no one will see. Go. Quick.’

And although his legs feel shaky, he runs.

Duke is panting as he climbs onto the bus. He’s only just made it here in time. He’s so scared the bus driver won’t let him on, but he couldn’t seem to care less as Duke pays the fare and collects his ticket. He’s more confident by the time he reaches the station.

‘A single to St Pancras please.’

‘Shouldn’t you be at school?’ The lady peers over her glasses at him.

‘No. I…’ Duke begins to loosen the knot in his tie – why hadn’t he taken it off?

‘How old are you?’

‘Eleven.’ Duke straightens his spine. ‘I’m small for my age but—’

‘You can’t travel without an adult unless you’re twelve.’

‘I am…’ Duke feels his cheeks burning. ‘I will be twelve.’

‘Come back when you are then.’

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