Read Online Alice-Miranda In New York 5 by Jacqueline Harvey - Free Book Online

a glimpse inside as I couldn’t risk opening the thing infront of her, and besides it was padlocked. She wasn’t keen to let me have it without knowing the contents and it took some convincing, but I managed to persuade her to sell it to me as is – for a price.’
    â€˜And what did you find?’ Hugh leaned in closer.
    â€˜I took the trunk home and mangled the lock off and I found –’ Hector snapped open the locks on his briefcase beside him – ‘this.’ He handed Hugh a thick book.
    Hugh ran his fingers along the plain brown cover. There was nothing on the outside to hint at its contents but as he opened the first page, the same swirly script from the letter identified its owner.
    This diary belongs to Martha Annerley Bedford, Pelham Park, Dunleavy.
    The address was crossed out and underneath was written:
    Nutkin Cottage, Tidmarsh Lane.
    Hugh looked up. ‘And?’
    â€˜And I think you will find its contents compelling to say the least, sir. But I’m afraid the old girl wrotein rather a cryptic fashion and there are still many unanswered questions. There was this too.’ Hector handed Hugh a much smaller book.
    â€˜Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.’ Hugh took the delicate volume. ‘My brother made this for me. I loved it.’
    â€˜It’s lovely artwork, sir. He had quite a talent , ’ Hector said admiringly.
    â€˜I used to have Nanny read it to me every night. I adored all those fanciful drawings of dragons and knights. There were other things hidden in the illustrations too. See?’ Hugh pointed. ‘There’s a turtle in there. She must have had it all those years.’ Hugh turned his attention back to the diary. ‘Does she mention the “truth” that she talked about in the letter to my father?’ Hugh asked.
    â€˜Well, sir, I believe that has something to do with your brother Xavier,’ Hector advised. ‘But we’ll need to do some more digging – literally.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’ Hugh stared at his companion.
    â€˜We need to check the crypt at Pelham Park,’ Hector replied.
    Hugh was aghast. ‘The crypt! What on earth does that have to do with anything?’
    â€˜It will tell us for certain,’ said Hector, ‘that your brother isn’t dead.’

    Hugh Kennington-Jones decided to walk the ten blocks back to Highton’s via Central Park. He needed time to think. The diary was wrapped in a shopping bag and Hugh was eager to decipher its contents for himself. Amid the mothers’ groups and their parades of prams, tourists with their cameras and folks taking a break from the chaos of the city, Hugh spotted an empty bench in the middle of a patch of lawn.
    His stomach grumbled. He checked his watch and saw that it was just after 1 pm. Further along the path he spotted a street vendor and walked over to see what he might buy.
    â€˜Hot dog please, with mustard and cheese,’ Hugh requested.
    â€˜No little one today?’ the man asked.
    â€˜I’m sorry?’ Hugh frowned.
    â€˜Your little girl. You were here yesterday. Sweetest little miss I ever met,’ the man replied.
    â€˜Oh, you’ve got a good memory.’ Hugh’s grin was brief. ‘You must meet hundreds of people.’
    â€˜When you’ve got all the time in the world, mister, you pay attention,’ the older man said, nodding. ‘And your daughter – she made me smile.’
    â€˜She’s at school, actually. Started today,’ Hugh replied as he was handed his lunch.
    â€˜Of course. She mentioned that yesterday. Well, you tell her that old Lou said hello and I’m looking forward to seeing her again soon.’
    â€˜Yes, I will.’ Hugh thanked the man for his hot dog and walked back to the bench.
    As he sat there, slowly chewing his food, Hugh wondered if what Hector told him could possibly be true. Hugh’s memories of that time were