The Lost Treasure of Annwn Read Free Page A

festival.’
    â€˜Jelly?’
    Elan laughed.
    â€˜It’s not the kind you put in trifle, this is jam with all the seeds taken out.’
    Jack thought that was a good idea. It was annoying when tiny seeds got caught in your teeth. He doubted it would matter to Camelin. The only seed he’d ever heard Camelin complain about was birdseed, especially when he’d been expected to eat it.
    When they got to the end of the lane Jack froze. On the other side of the road was the goalkeeper he’d met at the field when he’d tried to join in with a football game soon after he’d come to Glasruhen. The boy had called him names. With him was the tall boy who’d had a bloody nose when Jack had accidentally kicked the ball into his face. Three other boys that Jack didn’t recognise were walking with them towards the town.
    â€˜What’s the matter?’ asked Elan.
    â€˜That’s one of the boys who pushed me. The one who wrecked your bunch of flowers.’
    â€˜They’re not going to bother us, come on, let’s go and get some lunch first, I can hear your stomach rumbling again.’
    Jack wasn’t sure Elan realised how strong the goalie was. It would be better if they could avoid them altogether. He was going to suggest they waited a while till they were out of sight but Elan had already started to cross the road.
    â€˜Come on, it’ll be fine, you’ll see.’
    Jack wished he could feel as confident as Elan sounded but his legs already felt like jelly. He reluctantly followed her into the High Street.
    Â 

 

    TROUBLE
    Newton Gill was busy but Jack managed to keep the boys in sight. It wasn’t too difficult because three of the gang were tall. As Elan stopped to look in the window of a teashop, two older ladies came out through the door. For a moment they blocked Jack’s view and when they’d passed he couldn’t see the boys anywhere. He scanned the High Street but they’d gone.
    â€˜It looks really busy in there,’ said Elan. ‘We could go to the kebab shop across the road or the café in the square. What do you fancy?’
    â€˜We’d better not have a kebab, Camelin wouldn’t forgive us.’
    â€˜He’d never know.’
    â€˜He’d smell it. The café sounds better. I’ve been there before with Grandad.’
    They walked down to the town square and stopped outside a black and white timber-framed building. It had several tables outside on the pavement, each with a large green parasol. Elan pulled out one of the chairs.
    â€˜There’s plenty of room out here, we can sit in the sunshine.’
    Jack would have preferred to be inside and out of sight, but the café was full. It wasn’t long before they’d given their order to the waiter.
    â€˜I think we’ve been followed,’ said Elan.
    Jack’s heart sank. He looked around but couldn’t see the gang.
    â€˜Where are they?’ he whispered.
    â€˜They? You’re not still worried about those boys are you?’
    Jack nodded.
    â€˜Who did you mean?’
    â€˜Someone’s just landed in the big yew tree by the church gate! Don’t let him know you’ve seen him.’
    Jack looked out of the corner of his eye without moving his head. There was a big black shape hiding in the tree.
    â€˜I wonder if Nora knows he’s there?’
    There was an explosion of laughter from behind him.
    â€˜Would that be Nutty Nora?’
    Jack felt a shiver run down his spine as he slowly turned around. The four boys jostled each other as they each grabbed a chair from the next table. They positioned themselves so they could all see Jack. The goalie, the tallest of the group, didn’t sit down. Instead he stood behind Jack, put his hands on the back of his chair and started tilting him backwards. His long greasy hair drooped over Jack’s face as he spoke.
    â€˜I didn’t hear you, Pixie Boy. I said… was