Read Online Now You See Me by Emma Haughton - Free Book Online

the computer. “I can help. I’ve done loads of this stuff at school.”
    Martha frowned. “I’m not sure, Hannah. You’ve got your homework to do, and your dad thinks—”
    â€œI don’t care what Dad thinks. I want to help find Danny.”
    â€œDanny.” Alice lifted her head from her colouring book and smiled. “Want Danny.”
    I studied her face, the little pinch marks below her eyes, and felt my stomach contract – I could see how much she was missing her brother.
    Pushing away the rest of my cake, I leaned forwards and dragged the laptop towards me.

9
then
    The poster slipped through my hands as I tried to fix it to the street lamp. I picked it up off the pavement and brushed a smudge of dirt off the plastic sleeve. Held it back in place with my elbow. With my other hand I wound the string round the concrete post, crossing it over the plastic and tightening it into a knot.
    This time the poster stayed put. Danny’s face grinned back at me – and at everyone else walking down the street. I’d seen this picture a thousand times in the three weeks since he disappeared, but it still freaked me out. Every time his eyes caught mine, I couldn’t help wondering where he was. What was happening to him.
    I had less trouble at the bus shelter, pressing the poster against the perspex window and sticking it, top and bottom, with two lengths of tape. Then stood back and gave it a gentle tug. It held firm.
    â€œExcuse me, young lady.”
    The voice made me start. I spun round and saw the old man standing behind me, eyes narrow with disapproval.
    â€œHave you got permission to do that?” He nodded towards the poster. “You can’t put just anything up there, you know.”
    â€œI know.” I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder, started to walk away.
    â€œHang on a minute…”
    But I was gone, crossing the road and climbing back into the passenger seat of Martha’s car. As I twisted round to grab my seat belt, I saw the man peering at Danny’s photograph. Saw his face change as he realized it wasn’t another ad for a local band. Saw him glance up as we pulled away, his expression half pity, half apology.
    â€œOkay?” Martha asked.
    â€œUh-huh.”
    I didn’t bother to tell her about the man. She had enough on her mind. She’d barely said a word since Paul confronted her in the kitchen this evening, staring at the bulging carrier bags, catching hold of her arm as she tried to brush past.
    â€œFor god’s sake, Martha,” I heard him hiss as I shot off to the car. “Just remember what Janet said, all right?”
    I couldn’t help wondering what exactly Janet Reynolds had said. And what she’d think about this. Was it actually legal, sticking these posters everywhere? Had Martha even checked?
    â€œJust the shops, then we’ll go home,” Martha said, parking in the multistorey behind the supermarket. She sat for a moment, rubbing her forehead, looking as tired as I felt. It had taken us several hours to cover just the end of town near the leisure centre, and some of the roads leading up to the high street.
    â€œLet’s go.” I grabbed a pile of envelopes and posters and led the way through the alleyway to the main shopping street. It was cold and late and everywhere had that empty, closed-up look. I shivered, pulling my scarf tight around my neck, glad Martha was with me.
    â€œI’ll do this side – you do over the road.” Martha crossed to the line of shops opposite; I began working my way towards the precinct at the other end of the street. We couldn’t stick the posters on the windows, so we folded them into envelopes, along with a note asking the manager to display them somewhere inside.
    But not all the shops had letter boxes, particularly the larger ones. More often than not I had to shove the envelope under the door, or leave it tucked in