Read Online The Deptford Mice 1: The Dark Portal by Robin Jarvis - Free Book Online Page B

hello to everyone and then added, ‘Do you think I could see Mrs Brown please? I really don’t think I could say this twice.’
    Arthur agreed that it could wait and that, they had better dust themselves down before they left the cellar. It was while Audrey was straightening her collar that she noticed something was wrong. Her mousebrass was not around her neck. She had lost it in the sewers.

5. The Return
     
    A silent, tense group climbed the cellar steps and crossed the hall, passed into the Skirtings and gathered in front of Mrs Brown. Gwen rushed forward and hugged Audrey desperately. Her daughter held on tightly. Arthur gave Twit and Oswald a quick look; they understood and slipped out silently. When Gwen had made sure that Audrey really was there she wiped her eyes and scolded her. Audrey took it quietly, sorry to have caused so much worry. Eventually she said, ‘Mother, this is Piccadilly – he has something to say.’
    This was his cue. Piccadilly cleared his throat and began. Gwen Brown listened patiently and Audrey watched as her mother serenely accepted it all, her eyes dry and her face calm. Audrey did not understand.
    When Piccadilly finished he handed over Albert’s mousebrass. ‘And the last thing I heard him say was that he loved you,’ he added finally.
    Arthur covered his eyes with his paws.
    ‘Well I don’t believe him,’ Audrey said flatly. ‘It’s obvious he ran away when Father needed him.’
    Gwen clutched the mousebrass next to her heart. ‘Audrey,’ she said softly, ‘it’s over and I want you to promise – you and Arthur – that you will never ever go into the sewers again.
    Audrey knew that her tone meant no nonsense and she made the promise.
    Then she remembered her own mousebrass and crumbled inside. How was she to get it back?
    Gwen Brown prepared tea. Piccadilly was famished and went at everything that was laid before him heartily. Even Audrey managed something though she pretended to pick at her food.
    ‘And you Piccadilly,’ said Mrs Brown when they had all finished, ‘what of you now? You say you have no family and the city is a long way off. Will you stay with us? You would be more than welcome.’
    Before he could answer Audrey muttered something and left before she was excused. Her mother let her go.
    ‘Best to get it out of her system, although she won’t be happy till she knows he’s gone and cries for him.’
    Arthur said his sister was potty but eyed Piccadilly cautiously. Like Audrey he too had never seen a grey before.
    ‘If you’ll excuse me I think I’ll see how Audrey is,’ said Piccadilly. ‘She blames me for everything.’
    ‘That’s her hard luck and don’t you take no notice,’ said Arthur. But the grey mouse went to find her anyway.
    Gwen Brown stood where she could see the outside. The moon was rising; it had been a weary day. Arthur put his good arm around her. She had bandaged his ear and bathed his wounds.
    ‘Are you all right?’ he asked gently.
    She smiled and nodded. ‘I knew it was coming,’ she said simply. ‘One feels certain things, Arthur, when two are very close. I knew that first night that my Albert wasn’t coming back.’
    Arthur gave her a slight squeeze.
    ‘I wish Audrey would realise it,’ he said.
    His mother agreed.
    ‘I’m sure she will get around to it. Poor Piccadilly! Audrey can be very cruel – be nice to him, he’s been through a lot.’
    ‘I will. You know I think I felt it too when Father went away.’
    Gwen Brown took his paw.
    ‘Just because he isn’t here any more doesn’t mean we shan’t talk about him. He was a fine mouse, a loving father and a good husband. We loved each other very much. The fact that he is dead won’t end that love: I will always love him and what he felt for me will never change – it will always be there for me.’ She breathed deeply but there was no sadness in her eyes.
    ‘Go and find your sister, Arthur; it’s time for bed. You must all be very tired. I’ll make