Read Online Before the Storm by Sean McMullen - Free Book Online

memory. People would know her as BC’s champion, even though BC was gone forever.
    The matter of a weapon was somewhat harder. There was, of course, her father’s collection of guns, but she knew nothing about using them, and was frightened of guns. There were sharp knives in the kitchen, but the idea of going into battle with a kitchen knife seemed too silly for words. Thus it was that Emily borrowed a letter opener in the shape of a sword from her father’s study. It was only nine inches long, and did not have enough of an edge to even sharpen a pencil, but at least it looked the part and the point was quite sharp. Emily had seen Daniel at fencing practice, so she had some idea of how one held a sword.

    The following morning Emily nearly abandoned her expedition several times through sheer embarrassment, but each time the feeling washed over her she fought back. There was the matter of missing school, but she feigned a sore throat because of her dunking in the river, and that was enough to convince her mother. With her father gone to his business, and her mother away at some charity meeting at the vicarage, Emily briefed Martha with a covering story, then left with Daniel for the railway station.
    Once they were actually on the platform, Emily relaxed. It was too late to abandon the adventure. They were going into a sort of battle and, like BC she was in charge of a squad doing something dangerous. Admittedly she commanded only Daniel, and was armed with a letter opener, but for Emily even that was quite bold. The thought of what BC might think of a girl who was forceful enough to get mixed up in her own adventures was worrying, but that was not an issue she would ever have to face.
    It was while Emily sat on a station bench, contemplating BC and what she could remember of his face, that Daniel arrived with Barry the Bag. Barry looked very unhappy.
    â€˜He goes with us, or I do not!’ said Daniel firmly before Emily could speak, then he turned back to Barry. ‘Barry, you know Aitkinson’s Groceries?’
    â€˜â€™Course I do, I buy me postcards from there … oh, and the groceries, for me old man.’
    â€˜Fox is working there this morning.’
    â€˜If ’e manages to lift a few postcards, tell ’im I can move ’em along for sixpence per –’
    â€˜Do you always buy your postcards?’ asked Daniel.
    â€˜Ya mean does I ever pinch any?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Can’t. Old Aitkinson keeps ’em locked in a drawer. Take me a minute to pick that lock, and he’s never gone for that long.’
    â€˜So, you can pick locks.’
    â€˜Well yeah, I suppose.’
    â€˜Barry, I’m not very good at being dishonest.’
    â€˜That’s a factual.’
    â€˜Could you … pick a lock for me?’
    â€˜Wot? Git aht!’
    â€˜I mean it.’
    â€˜From Aitkinson?’
    â€˜No, from Fox. He lives in Flinders Lane, and –’
    â€˜Daniel!’ exclaimed Emily. ‘You can’t do that! Picking locks is dishonest.’
    â€˜Well, how else do we get into his room?’
    â€˜We shall ask the lady at the reception desk for a key.’
    â€˜The place had CONDEMNED written on the door,’ said Daniel. ‘Do you really think they have a reception desk?’
    â€˜I hates to be in agreement with yer sister, Danny Boy, but –’
    â€˜Stay out of this!’ cried Daniel. ‘Emmy, we are about to do something criminal, so we need a criminal to help us.’
    â€˜Now just a minute,’ began Barry.
    â€˜Shut up!’ snapped Daniel. ‘Well, Emmy?’
    â€˜I suppose so,’ said Emily reluctantly.
    â€˜I never said I’d help!’ protested Barry.
    â€˜About the canings I got when you stole those bottles of wine?’
    â€˜I’ll help, I s’pose. But look, just so I knows when we all gets thrown in the slammer, just wot we are doin’ and why?’ asked