The Deptford Mice 3: The Final Reckoning Read Free Page B

been passed on to Arthur and Algy had wandered into a corner to practise on his fiddle with Mr Cockle accompanying him on the bark drum. On the far side of the Hall she saw her mother talking to Thomas Triton. Audrey made her way over, passing chattering wives whose gossip suddenly ceased as she drew close enough to hear them. Some of them nudged their friends and whispered to each other once she had gone by, then the chatter began again.
    ‘There you are Audrey,’ smiled Gwen Brown. ‘Have you had anything to eat yet?’ The girl shook her head and moved close to her mother’s side. Gwen put her arms around her daughter. ‘Audrey love, you haven’t eaten properly since you came back from Fennywolde – do have something. There’s a big bowl of lovely soup over there.’
    Audrey took a biscuit and nibbled it as she watched everyone enjoying themselves. Her mind went back to earlier in the year when Oswald was healed by the magic of the Starwife. There had been celebrations then too. At that time the young grey mouse from the city – Piccadilly – had been staying with the Browns; Audrey missed him.
    Algy and Mr Cockle struck up a dancing jig and as nobody had taken the hat after Arthur there were many eager to join in. The mice formed a great ring and began to dance round the fire. Thomas dragged Gwen and Audrey into the dance and soon everyone was out of breath. Nearby, the Raddle sisters watched and tittered behind fluttering paws – it was too cold for them to sit in their usual place on the stairs. Arthur did not like dancing and it looked too boisterous for Oswald, so both of them stood to one side, forming some plan.
    ‘But Arthur,’ protested Oswald, ‘Mother’s sure to hear if I get up in the middle of the night.’
    ‘Not if you’re careful,’ Arthur said, ‘but if you’re too scared . . .’
    ‘Oh it’s not that,’ Oswald put in hastily. ‘It’s just that I don’t see why we have to go there! Why don’t’ we just take some of the food here?’
    ‘Because that would be too easy. Look Oswald, do you want a secret feast tonight or don’t you?’ The albino fidgeted with his scarf then nodded. ‘So long as you don’t jump out at me again.’
    ‘Promise, just meet me in the great kitchen when everyone’s asleep.’
    ‘Very well,’ agreed Oswald meekly.
    Audrey abandoned the dancing. It was surprising how nimble Thomas Triton was. His white, wispy hair glowed like fine gold before the fire and those same flames picked out the vibrant chestnut glint in the hair of her mother. Audrey was astonished to find herself admiring them as a couple. She wondered if her mother would marry the midshipmouse: Both were lonely and Audrey felt that her late father would approve.
    The night continued, the fire burned lower and some young rascals decided to put whole chestnuts into the heart of the flames. After some minutes there was a series of loud cracks and explosions as the chestnuts flew apart. Mice ran squeaking in all directions amid the confusion, but when they discovered what had happened the culprits were packed off to bed with smarting bottoms.
    The music gradually slowed and the fire became a mound of glowing embers. Mr Cockle swayed unsteadily on his feet and his wife looked sternly at the empty bowl of berrybrew at his side.
    ‘Get you home, you silly old mouse,’ she hissed at him. ‘Every time you do it, don’t you? Oh the shame of it.’
    ‘Ah, but you’re beautiful darlin’,’ he slurred whilst puckering his lips. Biddy Cockle shooed her husband out of the Hall and the other mice decided to go to bed as well.
    ‘I’ll be off to my ship,’ said Thomas as he took leave of Gwen. He pulled on his blue woollen hat and went down into the cellar where he passed through the Grille and took the short cut to Greenwich via the sewers. Gwen smiled and went into the Skirtings. She popped her head into Audrey’s room, but her daughter was already sleeping soundly. Arthur was busy making up