P.N.E. (The Wolfblood Prophecies Book 4) (14 page)

‘You don’t have to pretend to believe me,’ she smiled. ‘But yes, I’d like you to look out for Crazy Em and don’t trust Darren as far as you can throw him.’ She thought
And dump Lucy,
but didn’t say so. ‘But above all, don’t give up looking for Paddy.’

‘You’ve seen my foster-brother?’ Zebo looked amazed. ‘Where is he?’

‘It wasn’t in this time or place,’ answered Jo carefully. ‘It was an old gunpowder factory on the Essex marshes. You might say it was a dream, or maybe a vision. But I believe he’s still out there.’

Zebo gave a long drawn-out sigh. ‘You are one crazy girl, Red. I hope you’re right. It’s been ages. I’d started thinking he was a goner.’ He was lost in thought.

Jo coughed. ‘I’ve got to get back soon,’ she said hesitantly, ‘but before I go, I want you to teach me something. Please, Zebo. It’s really important.’

‘I’m listening.’

Jo told him what she wanted. He looked at her in disbelief, then laughed uproariously. ‘Well, you really are weird! I did not see that coming!’

‘Please?’ Jo flashed a winning smile. ‘It means so much to me.’

‘What do I get out of it?’

Jo considered. ‘My undying gratitude?’

Zebo grunted good-naturedly and rose to his feet. ‘Hmm. I usually get fifty per cent… but undying gratitude’s cool. O.K. How long have we got?’

‘About forty minutes, tops, then I have to back to the infirmary.’

‘Forty minutes! To learn the tricks of a life-time. Bloody amateurs! No time to waste, then. I’ll teach you the basics, then it’s a matter of practice, followed by more practice. But before we begin, I think this belongs to you?’

Jo looked in disbelief as he dangled her silver locket before her eyes. He laughed at her expression, then carefully opened the locket and looked at the photograph inside.

‘Ali,’ he stated. Jo had slipped the photograph of Paul behind the one of Ali once she realised that, in this world, King Paul was a villain. Zebo looked at her more closely. ‘You related?’ She nodded. ‘Is all this connected with her?’ She nodded again.

He slipped the silver heart into his pocket. Jo’s heart sank.  Zebo laughed. ‘It’s all right, Red. This is lesson one. Now get it back.’

Half an hour later, Jo grinned in triumph. After dozens of failed attempts the locket was safely in her hand, and Zebo praised her progress. ‘You’ve got the makings of a proper little dipper, Red.’

Amazed at her own daring, Jo blew him a kiss in gratitude.

‘Very distracting,’ he said approvingly. ‘You could very well build that into your repertoire. Add a sexy little wriggle and a wave. While they’re gawping at you doing that they won’t notice what your business hand is up to. Mind you, you’ll have to work out something else for the ladies…’

‘Not a problem,’ said Jo. ‘It’s only men I’m after.’ As soon as the words were spoken she realised how brazen that sounded and blushed to the roots of her hair. Zebo laughed heartily, and despite her embarrassment, Jo joined in, until she was laughing so hard she almost fell over.

Zebo gallantly helped her to her feet, at which point she smilingly handed him the notebook she had just taken from his pocket. His face was a picture.

‘Who’s a crafty little buzzer! Excellent use of the bump and slip. Nicely done,’ he grinned.

Jo gave a mock curtsey. ‘Thank you, kind sir. Oh, there is one more thing…’

‘I’m yours to command,’ said Zebo.

‘Where’s the bathroom, please?’

‘Is that all? Come on. I’ll show you the way to the privy, or as we call it, the sump room.’

Jo felt no enthusiasm about returning to the foul-smelling place she remembered from her first journey underground, but there was something else she needed, and what passed for Zebo and Lucy’s bathroom was the most likely place to find it.

Jo persevered. Physical contact with the patients gave Jo an ethical dilemma. Here was an ideal opportunity to practise her pick-pocketing skills, although personal possessions were few and far between. She struggled with her conscience, reminding herself of just why she was venturing into criminality. As the cause was so important and she had so little time she reluctantly decided it justified a little light larceny. She was still feeling bad about that, when inspiration hit. Reverse pick-pocketing! She would plant small items on people, then remove them – a double test of her ability.  She was careful to not overdo it and gradually became more skilful in placing and removing the innocent-looking scraps of cardboard she palmed. She also learned to invent a plausible explanation on the couple of occasions that she fumbled her task.

Mandy was more sullen than ever. Just like every other day, Jo poured her a glass of clean water, tidied the bedside cabinet and smoothed down the covers.

As she did she accidentally brushed Mandy’s wounded arm.

The effect was electric. Within seconds Mandy had Jo in a half-nelson, with the tip of a knife pressing into her throat.

Jo tried to stay calm. ‘I’m not going to hurt you,’ she began.

‘Too right you’re not. Seeing as I’ve got a knife and you haven’t.’ Mandy lowered her voice and hissed in Jo’s ear. ‘And don’t go thinking you can lift it off me, either. You ain’t that good. But me – I’m the best.’

‘What do you mean?’

Mandy let go of Jo’s arm, jolting her as she did so, roughly turning her round so they were face to face. There was no sign of a knife, just a silver locket dangling from Mandy’s middle finger. Jo quickly snatched it back.

‘I’ve been watching you,’ hissed Mandy. ‘You plant stuff on people, then you nick it back. What’s your game?’

Jo felt cornered. ‘I’m practising,’ she said.

‘What for?’

‘Top secret mission. I need to get as good as you. Then I can rescue Ali.’

‘Go on.’

Jo opened the locket. ‘She’s my Mum.

Mandy’s face changed. ‘She’s the best,’ she said simply. ‘Didn’t know she had a kid. So what’s your plan?’

‘Swear you won’t tell?’

Mandy flashed the knife so quickly Jo had no time to protest. Thin red lines bloomed on both their wrists. Mandy pressed the wounds together. ‘Blood sisters,’ she said, as their blood mingled. ‘I promise I won’t tell.’ Jo remembered how Lethe had used their blood-bond to heal herself. She looked all around, then quietly whispered in Mandy’s ear.

Mandy looked at Jo with eyes wide. Jo hoped it was admiration rather than disbelief. She was not disappointed. ‘Wow,’ breathed Mandy, and the sullenness lifted like a dark cloud. She smiled. ‘I can give you some tips.’

‘Tricks of the trade?’

‘Yeah. Tea leaf training.’

‘You’re on.’

‘Awesome!’

‘What’s awesome?’

They had not heard Brenda approaching. Before Jo had time to think of a response, Brenda had noticed the cut on Mandy’s wrist. Jo surreptitiously pulled her sleeve down. Brenda glared at Mandy. ‘Up to your old tricks, Mandy? You know the rules. No cutting. So no toys for you today.’

‘Like I care! Nothing but mouldy old teddies, broken dolls, marbles and dominoes. Dominoes!’ Mandy’s voiced poured scorn on Brenda’s punishment.

Brenda was unperturbed. ‘Fair enough. So no biscuits with your supper for three days, instead.’

Mandy looked crestfallen. Jo realised what a rare treat biscuits would be and tried to help. ‘It was me, Brenda…’

‘Matron,’ reminded Brenda frostily.

‘It was me, Matron – I was fixing Mandy’s bandage and the safety pin came undone…’

‘I’m not as green as I’m cabbage looking, Nurse,’ observed Brenda. ‘To my office.’

Jo obediently followed, smothering a smile as Mandy pulled an extraordinarily hideous face at Brenda’s departing back. Jo couldn’t help noticing that Mandy looked ten times better and wondered if whatever it was in her blood that cured Lethe might work on other people. Or maybe the whole intrigue had just boosted Mandy’s morale.

Once inside the office, Jo prepared for a telling-off. ‘It’s all right,’ smiled Brenda, to her surprise. ‘You’re not really in trouble. You’re doing good work with Mandy. First time I’ve seen her smile. And, compared to how she used to cut herself, that was just a chicken scratch. So we’ll only stop the biscuits for the rest of the day.

She looked searchingly at Jo. ‘You’re looking better That fever gone?’

Jo nodded. ‘I keep getting a headache,’ she said, ‘but it’s OK at the moment.’

‘Good. Keep an eye on your temperature. Can’t have you going all delirious and making crazy plans to rescue Ali.’ Jo’s heart skipped a beat. Surely Brenda hadn’t overheard her whispering to Mandy? Brenda continued speaking, her voice kind. ‘I realise you’re worried about her. But we’ll think of something. We’ve still got a week.’

‘Jo! Are you alright in there? It’s three in the morning!’

‘Sorry, Brenda – I’m not feeling so good. The headache’s back and I’ve been sick. I’ll be better directly, I expect. Go back to bed.’

‘Time you had a break anyway. You’ve been working non-stop. I’ll get someone to sober Bobby up, and you have a lie-in tomorrow.’

‘Thanks, Brenda! I’ll just clean myself up, and I’ll be back in bed directly.’

It was the next day, and Jo had to set the next part of her plan in motion. True to her word, Mandy had proved a valuable source of information about the ancient art of stealing. Jo realised she was going to miss the work in the infirmary. She had grown fond of several of the patients, and they of her, but Mandy was her favourite. It was going to be hard to leave her behind.