A Raucous Time (The Celtic Cousins' Adventures) Read Free

clamped.
    ‘I’ve been round your house too.’ Crombie gave another sideways glance. ‘I’ve got your story now son. I’ll tell you what happened.’
    Rhyllann clamped his lips tighter, biting down in an effort to stay alert, wondering what the old git had managed to dig up, wishing he’d never climbed into this junk heap, Crombie’s driving was beginning to make him car sick.
    ‘Your mum’s away, that part’s true. You couldn’t bear the thought of staying with Granny, you’ve been home alone – am I right?’
    Rhyllann stared straight ahead. Then nodded.
    ‘Does she often leave you?’ Crombie used his gentle voice again.
    Rhyllann spoke quickly. ‘She didn’t leave me. I promised I’d stay round Gran’s. Mum wanted me to go with her and David. Her husband.’ He swivelled to face Crombie – maybe if he tried to be honest. Taking a deep breath, he surprised himself as it all spilled out:
    ‘I do try at school. I’m not clever, not with schoolwork. But I’m in the air cadets, and I can fly. It’s like breathing for me. There’s nothing like it. And I want to join the RAF. To fly. And I need my GCSEs.’ Rhyllann shredded the tissue in his hands. It felt like a confession; admitting this dream out loud for the first time. Everyone assumed he attended air cadets to chat up girls and boss younger kids around. Only Wren knew; somehow.
    ‘I would have fallen behind, and once I fall behind, I’ll never catch up.’ He sounded a complete dork, the chances of a kid like him getting into the RAF were zero. Crombie raised his eyebrows but didn’t comment. After a moment or two he said.
    ‘Quite a pair, your Mum and her sister aren’t they?’ He spoke as though he knew them both, he probably did, by reputation anyway. Rhyllann guessed what was coming next and twisted away determined not to reveal any more. Crombie was even more dangerous than he’d thought.
    ‘You and your cousin; you’re very close aren’t you?’
    Rhyllann shifted in his seat. No-one else at school really got Wren, if it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t have any friends.
    ‘Does he ever talk about his Mum?’
    No. Wren never spoke of her, never cried over her. The tissue was confetti now. Rhyllann dropped it.
    Facing Crombie he sneered. ‘You wanna know if she told him where she hid the money? Mister Big-shot Detective? And me thinking you were the soft cuddly type – MacDonald’s and free rides. You went round their house. Why didn’t you look under the mattress while you were there? That’s where she stashed it.’
    ‘No need for sarcasm son, I’m trying to help.’
    But he’d heard that before, and didn’t bother replying. Anyway they were at the hospital now, Crombie had to park up or go round the one way system again. With relief, Rhyllann heard the indicator blinking as Crombie pulled into a space intended for ambulances.
    ‘Thanks for the lift.’ He muttered, tugging at the door catch, which refused to give. As Crombie leaned across to help, his jacket fell open, giving a glimpse of a stapled lining.
    ‘Have to jiggle it a bit, it's temperamental.’ The door swung open scraping against the kerb causing them both to grimace and a few heads to turn.
    ‘Thanks again.’ Rhyllann said wondering if he should take the empty MacDonald’s bag to bin or leave it with the rest of this rubbish car.
    Crombie inclined his head. ‘What’s gonna happen to you now?’
    For a moment, Rhyllann felt confused. Then he brightened.
    ‘Oh, don’t worry, Mum rings every night. She’ll get the next train back to London.’ He lied fluently. A thought struck him. ‘My auntie: Aunt Sarah. Will they give her compassionate leave or something?’ He squirmed under Crombie’s stare.
    ‘I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news about your Aunt.’ He said.
    Rhyllann kept his face blank. He was used to bad news. Anyway he’d already given too much away to the shambling hulk.

Chapter Four
     
     
    Wren had been moved from intensive care