Read Online A Raucous Time (The Celtic Cousins' Adventures) by Julia Hughes - Free Book Online

notebook; wishing he could close his ears against the sobs leaching from the kitchen, hating everyone in the house. Including himself.
     
    He sensed Crombie looming over him:
    ‘WPC Hewes and PC Davidson will help you clear up, and secure the house. When you’re ready, they’ll take you to Mrs Reade’s. Nice lady. Salt of the earth. You’ll like her.’
    Rhyllann refused to look up.
    ‘Son, make him understand. She drugged two officials. I want to help you, but you’re not helping yourselves. You are in danger.’
    Stooping suddenly, Crombie grasped Rhyllann’s wrists, staring intently into his face.
    ‘Do you understand? Step out of line one more time, and I will have you locked up for your own safety.’
    Rhyllann jerked away, trying to squirm free.
    ‘Rhyllann, please. I want your word. Promise me you won’t put yourself or your cousin in harm’s way.’ Crombie sounded concerned.
    Rhyllann nodded absently, his gaze still searching the room. Crombie’s grip tightened, forcing him to make eye contact.
    ‘Say it son.’
    From the room above Rhyllann heard drawers rolling open and shut, probably Wren, packing for them both. Strange how his notebook had vanished, but he didn't seem to care. Rhyllann gave up.
    ‘I promise.’
    For a moment he thought Crombie was going to say something else, but he merely nodded.
    Moments later the snarl of an unwilling engine signalled Crombie’s departure, leaving Rhyllann feeling strangely alone and vulnerable.
     
    ******
    PC Davidson explained on the drive over that Mrs Reade only took short term foster work. Mainly children whose parents needed some respite.
Mrs Reade confirmed this, telling them to call her auntie Dottie, proudly displaying the fourteen month old baby she was caring for, then ushering Wren upstairs and into the bathroom. 
    Now she bustled into the garden, hurrying over to check on the baby, sprawled on a rug next to Rhyllann, trying to grab fistfuls of hair and shouting with laughter when he succeeded and Rhyllann squealed.  
    ‘Little darling. Mum’s picking him up tomorrow, it’ll be just the three of us.’
    He smiled. ‘You’re not what I expected.’ Dottie Reade was around Gran’s age, but that was all they had in common.
    Rhyllann eased a strand of hair from the baby's fist, marvelling at the softness of skin and strength of grip. The miniature hand flew open, impulsively he blew a raspberry onto the palm, delighted when the baby's eyes lit up, and the little body convulsed with merriment. Rhyllann couldn't resist doing it again, there was something addictive about being the centre of someone's world.
    ‘Some of us actually like kids. Couldn’t eat a whole one though.’ She chortled at her own joke. ‘Derek’s told me to keep an extra eye on you two. I’m to take you to school, and pick you up.’
    Rhyllann started to protest - he’d never live it down; the coolest kid in school, well his year anyway, having his hand held like a mummy’s boy.
    ‘Now then.’ Auntie Dottie's voice sharpened. ‘I never ask why my kids are here. I don’t want to know. I just look after them the best I can. Derek’s laid on extra security, and until you two leave, I won’t have any more kids staying here. You’ll be completely safe.’ She said pointedly. ‘Do you want to see if your cousin’s ready for dinner?’
    Sensing discord, the baby's face crumpled. Before it could begin to howl, Rhyllann jumped to his feed and headed for the house.
     
    He found Wren in the bedroom they’d been given, towelling his hair.
    ‘What d’you think of her?’ he hissed. Wren hadn’t spoken since learning about his mum. A bath and the smell of good home cooking seemed to have helped a little. Still he surprised Rhyllann when he answered.
    ‘OK. Bossy but harmless. You’d better unpack.’ Shrugging a dressing gown over borrowed pyjamas he nodded towards Rhyllann’s bag.
    Rhyllann emptied it onto one of the beds. He frowned.
    ‘Did you pack this?’