A. N. T. I. D. O. T. E. Read Free Page A

is our first priority.’
    ‘Let me see the letter about this so-called agent,’ Mum said.
    I straightened up. What on earth was going on? Why did Uncle Robert need Mum’s help? What kind of help? What could Mum do? Uncle Robert called her ‘the expert’. What did that mean? The expert in what? My head was like a beehive, buzzing with questions. It was all quiet in the living room now. I turned to head back to my bedroom and knocked into the hall table. It rocked against the wall with a loud thud. In the next moment, I legged it up the stairs. I was only halfway up when the living-room door opened. Thinking quickly, I turned and ran down the stairs just as Mum and Uncle Robert came out of the living room.
    ‘Hi! I’m just coming down for some water,’ I said.
    ‘And then straight to bed – OK?’
    I nodded, noting the sheet of paper in Mum’s hand, the serious look on both the grown-ups’ faces.
    ‘So when are you coming to see us next, Uncle?’ I asked.
    ‘On Sunday, bright and early. You can both spend the day with me,’ Uncle Robert replied.
    ‘Brill!’ I started up the stairs again.
    ‘I thought you wanted a drink of water?’ said Mum.
    ‘Oh, yeah.’ I could feel my face growing hot. What a giveaway!
    Ignoring the slight yet knowing smile on Mum’s face, I went into the kitchen. I poured myself half a glass of ice-cold water from the fridge and downed it in one. Then I headed back to my bedroom. Mum and Uncle Robert stood in the hall watching me go up the stairs.
    ‘Elliot, you’re cute, but if I catch you eavesdropping at this door, you’re in big trouble!’ said Mum.
    ‘As if!’ I called down from the landing.
    ‘Yeah, right!’ Mum followed Uncle Robert back into the living room, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Friday

Chapter Four
The Long Run
    ‘ WHY’VE YOU GOT a face like a handful of mince?’ Nosh frowned. ‘Anyone would think it was Monday morning instead of Friday evening. School’s over for the next three weeks. We’re on holiday. What more do you want? Blood?’
    I sat back on Nosh’s sofa, but I couldn’t relax. It was past nine and we’d had a brilliant dinner of pepperoni pizza because Nosh’s mum was at the cinema with her friends so Nosh’s dad had sent out for a meal. Here I was, next door at Nosh’s house playing one of my favourite computer games, and was I enjoying it? No, not much! All I had on my mind was Mum and the strange conversation I’d heard the night before.
    When I’d got home earlier, Mum told me I was spending the night at Nosh’s house. She didn’t ask if I wanted to, she just told me. Mind you, usually I couldn’t wait to stay over with Nosh. We’d spend all night reading comics or playing games by torchlight – but I didn’t want to do it, not this time. This time, I was sure it was just a ploy on Mum’s part to get me out of the way. When I’d asked Mum where she was going, all she said was, ‘Your Uncle Robert and I have some things to sort out – that’s why I can’t be here. And I’m not leaving you on your own.’
    ‘Why can’t you sort out whatever it is from here?’ I asked.
    ‘It’s not that simple,’ Mum sighed. ‘Don’t argue with me, Elliot – not tonight. Please?’
    Mum looked tired and kind of worried, so I shut up. Against my better judgement, I packed up my stuff and headed next door to Nosh’s house.
    The only trouble was, I’d spent every minute since then thinking about what Mum and Uncle Robert might be up to.
    I looked at Nosh, wondering if I should confide in my best friend. I sighed for the umpteenth time in ten minutes. I couldn’t help it! All this wondering and worrying was driving me crazy.
    ‘What’s the matter, Elliot?’ Nosh asked impatiently. ‘Tell me before I have to kill you! All your sighing and moping about is really starting to cheese me off.’
    ‘It’s about Uncle Robert and Mum,’ I began slowly. ‘I think Uncle Robert is trying to get Mum to do something that’ll