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

meant that no one could be held prisoner without being proved guilty. That’s why it’s so hard to convict someone on purely circumstantial evidence.’ She finished obviously thrilled at the chance to show off.
    Wren stared at her. ‘Auntie Dottie – were you ever in the police force?’ Her chins shook with laughter. ‘Next best thing. My godson is.’ She pointed to one of the photos on the lounge wall.
    Rhyllann froze. ‘Detective Crombie is your godson?’
    He thought back struggling to remember if he’d said anything disrespectful. Like “Just how desperate are the Met Police for recruits?”
    ‘Who's that next to him aunt Dottie?’ Wren asked.
    ‘That’s his brother, Declan. He was in the RAF.’
    ‘The RAF?’ Rhyllann smiled at that.
    ‘Was?’ questioned Wren.
    Aunt Dottie gave a bright smile. ‘He didn’t come back from the first Gulf war.’
    While Rhyllann hunted for words to say sorry without sounding flippant Wren echoed.
    ‘Didn’t come back?’
    Rhyllann punched him. Wren just didn’t get subtle.
    ‘He’s dead fool.’ He muttered in Welsh.
    Looking perplexed Wren rose to study the photo, aunt Dottie watched him placidly. When he finally turned back to the room, Rhyllann hunched into the sofa, wishing himself a thousand miles away. Wren’s head lowered, a restlessness stirred behind the clear blue eyes. Rhyllann knew that look. It indicated a burning question. One sure to embarrass the maths teacher, or English teacher, or whoever had stated a fact he disagreed with. Nothing, not even Coleman’s promise to beat him up after school would stop him. The entire class would suffer from extra homework or unscheduled tests from a humiliated teacher. But Wren would just smile, happy to be proved right once again.
    ‘Are you sure he’s dead?’
    Rhyllann cringed. That was it. He would beat him up. Beside him, Auntie Dottie grew very still. Finally she replied.
    ‘After the war Declan stayed on, helping rebuild. One day he never returned to base. That was over twenty years ago.’
    Rhyllann breathed again. Auntie Dottie didn’t seem cross. But then Wren gave another prod.
    ‘Has he been declared officially dead?’
    Rhyllann knew who he wanted dead, but Wren ignored his glare. Aunt Dottie simply side stepped the question.
    ‘Derek wanted to join the RAF too – but of course he couldn’t.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Derek?’ Rhyllann queried.
    ‘Detective Inspector Derek Crombie. Why couldn’t he join the RAF?’ Wren asked.
    ‘Would have broke his mother’s heart.’ Aunt Dottie said simply. ‘Come on now lovey, else your cousin won’t get his studying done.’ She patted the seat for Wren to sit down next to her, indicating the subject was now closed.
    Rhyllann felt a small pang of pity, then turned to study the screen.
     
    There before him were the facts according to Wikipedia.
    King John of the House of Plantagenet. Also known as the Devil’s brood. Branded a murderer, traitor and coward. Forced to sign a charter, giving unprecedented rights to barons and commoners alike. Rhyllann skimmed over this, the links to the American Constitution, the references to Ireland, Knights Templars, clicking on the link to lost treasure. A new page loaded. He learned how John had been fleeing his enemies, yet again. How his baggage train had taken a short cut across the mud flats of the River Wash, only to be engulfed by the tide. Rhyllann jumped when Aunt Dottie pulled his hands down from his mouth. He hadn’t realised he’d been chewing on his knuckles.
    ‘Don’t bite yourself.’ She said.
    Rhyllann didn’t like the smug smile on Wren’s face.  
    ‘How did John survive? Could he swim?’ He asked.
    Aunt Dottie shook her head. ‘No – he took a longer safer route round. Not that it did him much good. He lost everything – the entire baggage train: One thousand men, the crown jewels, all the gold he’d gathered in taxes, various religious artefacts. According to legend, he even lost