Deadly Games Read Online Free Page B

mouth again, but witha snap, like an elastic band breaking, she abruptly disappeared. Her presence was still there, though, and the twins could feel her suspicion. They could also detect the faint smell of peppermint in the auditorium.
    â€œLet’s go,” said Jenny.
    â€œWait –”
    Something was happening on the screen. Dim shadows again played on its surface and then formed into the two running figures of May and Leslie. But this time there was light at the end of the tunnel.
    â€œWhere are they heading?” muttered Jenny.
    â€œThe old repair works?” David’s voice was hopeful. “Maybe they did hide out there.”
    The patch of light grew larger and for a brief second the twins caught a glimpse of a wilderness of rusting metal and overgrown foliage. Then the screen went blank – and stayed that way.
    â€œYou come to get that trolley again?” asked Nell, her voice penetrating the gloom and giving them a terrible shock.
    â€œI think we’ll have to leave it here,” said David. “I don’t see the hospital being exactly keen on it.”
    â€œSo you won’t have any more excuses for coming back then.” Nell’s voice had a slight edgeto it now. “I saw you both staring at the screen. What’s so special about it?”
    â€œNothing,” said Jenny and David in chorus, wishing they didn’t sound so guilty. They didn’t want to confide in Nell. Sid might not like it.
    â€œYou were watching something.”
    â€œWe’re doing a school project on the homeless,” said David with sudden inspiration. “Sid said we could study his – his – ”
    â€œEnvironment? I’m not thick, you know. I could probably write it for you,” Nell cut in acidly.
    â€œPerhaps we could interview you,” said Jenny in what she knew was a wheedling tone.
    â€œNo chance.”
    â€œWhy not?” asked David.
    â€œBecause I don’t believe you.”
    â€œBut – ”
    â€œYou’re up to something. Up to something for Sid. I know him all too well. Broken-up old man, he is. He needs someone to take care of him. But instead of that he’s always on about his mission. Know anything about it?”
    â€œEr, no,” said David.
    â€œSure?”
    â€œQuite sure.” Jenny was deeply uncomfortable.
    â€œOh, well.” Nell shuffled towards a pile of boxes and sat down heavily with a sigh. “I’m going to have a kip, but if either of you kids wantsto confide in an old woman, I’m ready and willing. It gets lonely down here, you know.”
    David and Jenny looked at each other in consternation.

Chapter Five
    Although they knew they were late for lunch, the twins walked home slowly, immersed in their own thoughts yet sharing most of them. They lived in a ramshackle old Victorian house overlooking what had once been a wharf. David and Jenny were happy there; it was a great improvement on the estate where they had lived before. They loved the Thames, which ran alongside the garden centre which their father managed. But today, although the rain had cleared, the river was swollen, lapping uncomfortably close to the shore, while the house seemed to have a sullen, tired look.
    â€œI’m knackered,” said David as they walked up the front path. “I’m playing football this afternoon and I
should
be playing again tomorrow morning,” he added in martyred tones.
    â€œWell, you’re not now,” Jenny snapped. “We’ve got to go and report back to Sid and then take a look at the Roxy again.”
    â€œWe’ve seen all we can, and it’s Sunday tomorrow. Don’t we get a day off?”
    â€œDon’t be so daft.” Jenny was angry now.“Haven’t you got
any
sense of responsibility?”
    â€œAll right then.” David was honest at last. “I’m scared.”
    â€œWhat of?” But she knew what he was going to say,