Read Online The Deptford Mice 2: The Crystal Prison by Robin Jarvis - Free Book Online

Brown’s paw and dragged her into the dance.
    Thomas stepped up to Audrey and said softly to her, ‘I’ll be off to Greenwich later to return the bag. No doubt I’ll be told details of your departure. She won’t leave anything to chance – everything will be planned and organised.’
    ‘Mr Triton, I have to go, don’t I?’ said Audrey. ‘I am the price of all this aren’t I?’
    He nodded regretfully. ‘Alas miss, I’m afraid you are. Forgive me for taking you to her. I am truly sorry.’
    Audrey smiled at him. ‘It isn’t your fault Mr Triton – she would have done it with or without you.’
    They were interrupted by an impatient knocking on the wall. Everyone paused and listened.
    ‘Where’s my milk? What’s all that noise? Can you hear me Jacob?’ Mrs Chitter was in fine form by the sound of her.
    Jacob Chitter jumped to attention in his chair. ‘Yes dear. Of course, dear, I . . .’ He paused suddenly as he noticed his son smiling up at him. ‘Oh Oswald,’ he said, and burst into tears.
    Gwen Brown led the others out of the sickroom. Thomas hung back and collected the small cloth bag.
    On the way out to the hall Gwen looked in on Mrs Chitter. She was sitting up in bed fussing with her hair. ‘Oh Gwen what is going on in there?’ she asked. ‘What does my husband think he’s doing, the old fool?’
    ‘Arabel,’ cried Mrs Brown. ‘Oswald is better! It’s all over now.’
    Mrs Chitter dabbed her eyes and gave thanks to the Green Mouse. ‘Well if that isn’t the best news I’ve ever heard,’ she sobbed. ‘You see Gwen, I told you those pieces of onion would do the trick.’
    In the hall, Thomas was telling an awestruck crowd about Oswald’s recovery. For a short time they simply blinked at the midshipmouse – not sure if they had heard him properly – and then with one voice they cheered.
    ‘My word!’ exclaimed Master Oldnose.
    ‘Let’s celebrate,’ called Tom Cockle.
    Audrey felt miserable and dragged her feet back home. Arthur was munching away in the kitchen and getting crumbs everywhere.
    ‘Isn’t it terrific?’ he mumbled, with his mouth full.
    ‘Oh yes Arthur, I couldn’t be happier for the Chitters.’ Her voice fell and she sat down heavily.
    Arthur swallowed and licked the crumbs round his mouth, forgetting the ones clinging to his whiskers. ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked seriously, sensing his sister’s mood.
    ‘Didn’t Mr Triton tell you?’ she asked wearily.
    Arthur sat down beside her and said fearfully, ‘Tell us what? You’re all right aren’t you? You’re not coming down with what Oswald had are you?’
    ‘Oh no Arthur – nothing like that. My fate’s much worse than that,’ she said morosely. ‘It’s the miracle cure of the Starwife.’
    ‘That was amazing wasn’t it – really magic stuff that was.’
    Audrey stared at him steadily. ‘It had . . . conditions, Arthur. We could only take the cure if I agreed to go with Twit to his field the day after tomorrow and . . . take Madame Akkikuyu with me.’
    ‘Audrey! That’s terrible. I thought that rat woman was dead.’ Arthur thought deeply for a moment then brightened. ‘But Oswald is cured now – they can’t make you go if you back out now can they?’
    ‘I’m afraid so. Oswald and his family will fall sick, again if I don’t stick to it.’
    Arthur put his arm around her. ‘Don’t worry Sis,’ he soothed. ‘I’ll come with you. I promise. How long do you think it will take to get there and back?’
    ‘But that’s just it,’ wept Audrey. ‘I shan’t be coming back – I’ve got to stay with Akkikuyu for ever.’ Arthur gasped. ‘But that’s dreadful. Oh how shall we tell Mother?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ sobbed Audrey.
    ‘My dears!’ Mrs Brown was standing in the doorway, tears falling down her cheeks – she had heard it all.
    She wrapped her arms around Audrey and kissed her. ‘There must be a way,’ she whimpered. ‘Oh what would your father do if he were