Read Online The Case of the Vanished Sea Dragon by Gareth P. Jones - Free Book Online

can’t.’ Holly still had Mrs Klingerflim’s book in her pocket. She wanted to get home and read it. ’You can come and call for me tomorrow if you want,’ she suggested, striding off towards Elliot Drive.
    â€˜Can’t I come round now?’ asked Archie, catching up with her.
    â€˜What, so you can have some scones and caviar and feed the corgis?’ said Holly pointedly.
    â€˜I am sorry about all that,’ said Archie.
    â€˜Why were you so mean to me anyway?’
    â€˜You’re different, is all. Everything’s always the same around here. Nothing ever happens at Gristle Street. Nothing interesting, but you’ve been to loads of other schools. You’ve been to William Scrivener’s,’ Archie said, his eyes wide.
    â€˜You’re not missing much, believe me,’ replied Holly.
    â€˜Did you meet Petal Moses?’
    â€˜I was put in the same room as her.’ Holly had hated every minute of her time incarcerated inside the celebrity school and it was made all the worse bysharing a room with Petal Moses, the spoilt daughter of an international popstar.
    â€˜What was she like?’
    â€˜Awful.’ Holly smiled. ‘Her mum actually paid people to phone her up and tell her how brilliant she was.’
    Archie laughed. ‘What about the Prime Minister’s son. Did you meet him?’
    Holly nodded, but she didn’t want to discuss crazy Callum Thackley. She had sent him two letters since she left the school. In his replies he sounded as mad as ever.
    Archie had followed her all the way home and didn’t look like he would take no for an answer, so Holly relented, saying, ‘You can come in but only for a minute.’
    As they approached her front door, she felt nervous. It was the first time in her whole life that she had brought a friend home.
    The door swung open and her dad almost walked straight into them both.
    He looked down. ‘Oh, hello … er … Holly. You’ve got a friend,’ he said, clearly surprised. He was dressed smartly in a suit and tie, holding a briefcase.
    â€˜Hi, Dad, this is Archie,’ she said.
    â€˜Are you a politician?’ asked Archie.
    â€˜Was a politician,’ Mr Bigsby replied. ‘I lost my seat.’
    â€˜You didn’t lose it. It was taken from you,’ said his big-haired wife, appearing behind him, brushing nonexistent dust particles from his suit. ‘Anyway, darling, you have a better job now.’
    â€˜What job?’ demanded Holly.
    Big Hair glanced at her. ‘Your father has accepted a position at Global Sands, so don’t delay him.’
    â€˜You’ve taken the job?’ exclaimed Holly, aghast.
    She couldn’t be sure but she thought she saw guilt in her father’s expression as he avoided eye contact with her and mumbled, ‘Needs must, Holly. Needs must.’
    â€˜Are you sure you don’t want to take the car?’ said Big Hair.
    â€˜The bus is just as quick. And that way I can swot up on the way,’ he replied, tapping his briefcase.
    â€˜It would look a lot more professional if you drove.’
    â€˜Stop flapping, Bridget, the bus is fine,’ said Mr Bigsby firmly.
    Holly could tell that Big Hair was put out by the way he said it but she pecked him on the cheek and said, ‘Well, off you go, then. Knock them dead, darling.’
    Holly’s dad coughed uncomfortably, awkwardlypatted Holly on the head, and left.
    Big Hair’s gaze fell upon Archie. ‘I’m Holly’s stepmother,’ she stated. ‘I’m glad she’s finally made a friend. She’s such a lonely girl. Would you like to come in? You’ll both have to stay out of the way, mind. I’ve got a man coming in to see about new carpets.’
    â€˜Actually, we’re going out,’ said Holly, turning around.
    â€˜Suit yourself. Don’t be too late,’ Big Hair called after her.
    Archie caught up with her.