The Dark Giants Read Free Page A

flecks of whipped cream on the
front of her dress from the force of Dad’s blow with the knife, but Sophie F was
giggling quietly to herself and looking at Dad with great interest.
    ‘Well,’ said Dad, pulling the knife out and handing it to Amelia. ‘I think you’re
supposed to make the first cut.’
    Holding her breath, Amelia sliced into a corner without candles. What had Dad dreamed
up this time? She sighed with relief as a perfectly ordinary slice of vanilla sponge
came away. It was such a large cake that everyone in the dining room had a slice
(Amelia talked very loudly to the Sophies, hoping they wouldn’t notice the family of five who were squirting ketchup and mustard over theirs).
    Sophie F had another slice of cake and Sophie T said, ‘Hang on – presents!’ and handed
Amelia a gift bag. ‘It’s from both of us.’
    Lifting out a framed photo of the three of them together, and a box of flavoured
jellybeans, and a new adventure book, Amelia thought this might be her best birthday
ever. Back in the city, before they’d moved to Forgotten Bay, the Walkers’ old flat
had been so small Amelia had always had her parties at the park, or ice-skating,
or the movies. Now, for the first time, she had a home that had room for everyone
– her family, her best friend, her friends from school, and even random guests from
other galaxies, if they wanted to. Even –
    The room went silent. Someone had walked through the door, and this time it wasn’t
only the Sophies who turned to look.

A small, neat person walked quietly between the tables, making her way to Amelia.
She was dressed in her usual drab uniform of cargo pants and a sleeveless T-shirt,
but no-one seemed to notice what she was wearing. Everyone was staring at her extraordinary
face, at her sweep of long, jet-black hair, at the acrobatic elegance she compressed
into just walking across the floor, and at the silver scar that twisted its way up
her arm.
    ‘Who is that?’ Sophie T gaped.
    ‘That is Lady Naomi,’ said Charlie smugly. ‘I told you she was cool.’
    Amelia hadn’t thought for a moment that Lady Naomi would be at her birthday. Apart
from the research that usually kept her out in the bush until well after nightfall,
Lady Naomi preferred to avoid crowds, and Amelia could see why. For a very private
person, it was almost impossible for her to go anywhere without attracting attention.
    ‘Happy birthday,’ she smiled as she reached the table. ‘I hope I’m not interrupting.’
    ‘Never,’ sighed Sophie T.
    ‘Do you want some cake?’ said Charlie. ‘There’s loads left.’
    ‘Maybe later,’ said Lady Naomi. ‘Right now, I was wondering if Amelia would like
her present?’
    ‘You got me a gift?’
    ‘Well, not just me. I had an idea, but Ms Rosby ordered the parts, and Tom did all
the actual work.’
    Charlie goggled at Amelia in open jealousy. ‘I hope you know when my birthday is,’
he said to Lady Naomi.
    ‘It’s not just for Amelia. You can all enjoy it together.’
    Mrs Flood came over to the table and caught Sophie F’s eye. ‘Time we were off, pumpkin.’
    ‘Oh, but Mum …’
    ‘No, come on. You’ve had cake and given Amelia her present, and now we have to go.’
    ‘Oh, could you possibly stay another ten minutes?’ Lady Naomi asked. ‘I’m sorry to
have left it so late, but I wanted to wait until it got properly dark. And we only
need to go out to the lawn. You’ll have to walk past anyway, won’t you?’
    ‘Well …’
    Amelia grinned at Sophie F. No-one could resist Lady Naomi.
    ‘Just ten minutes,’ Mrs Flood agreed. ‘And then we really have to go.’
    Sophie F didn’t waste any time discussing it; she was already out of her chair and
on her way to the door. Lady Naomi began to follow her and then realised that everyone
in the dining room was still looking at her. She paused to check with Amelia. ‘If
it’s all right with you, birthday girl, everyone here can come too.’
    Amelia was confused now.