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

Perhaps he would come with them to Twit’s field – it might not be so bad after all if the cheeky city mouse came too.
    ‘Piccadilly was over there before with the dancers,’ said Mrs Brown, relieved that Audrey had snapped out of herself.
    Audrey left her mother behind and went in search of the grey mouse. The musicians were now playing ‘Cowslips Folly’, a lively dance in which a ring of boy mice rushed round a central circle of girl mice and chose a partner from them. Audrey hovered at the edge of the dancing. She saw Piccadilly choose Nel Poot three times. Miss Poot was evidently enjoying all the attention and she was brazen enough to wave at Audrey!
    At first Audrey was amused – everyone knew how dotty Nel Poot was. But when Piccadilly chose her a fourth time the smile twitched off Audrey’s face and her foot began to tap bad-temperedly. What did Piccadilly think he was doing?
    ‘Cowslips Folly’ ceased and the musical trio went to see if there was any food left. Audrey watched the dancers break up, but before she could turn away Piccadilly caught her glance, excused himself from Nel and sauntered over.
    ‘Did you want summat?’ he asked her. ‘Only Miss Poot thought you were trying to get my attention.’
    Audrey answered casually. ‘Yes, I did as a matter of fact. I just wanted to say goodbye to you and take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done for me and my family.’
    ‘You gone soft in the head?’ laughed Piccadilly. ‘What you on about?’
    ‘I’m leaving,’ said Audrey, enjoying the moment. ‘Arthur and I are going with Twit to his field on a visit.’
    Piccadilly’s face fell and his shoulders drooped sadly. Audrey bit her lip and cursed her stupid tongue.
    ‘I see,’ he managed. ‘I hope you have a nice time,’ he muttered, staring at the ground miserably. ‘When was all this decided?’
    ‘Oh we decided as soon as Oswald got better,’ she said. ‘We’re going the day after tomorrow. You can come and wave us off if you like.’ How could she be so cruel, she wondered. Had the Starwife put a spell on her too?
    Piccadilly raised his head as if stung. He stared at Audrey incredulously, then, with anger said, ‘Sorry ducks but I’m goin’ back to the city tomorrow.’
    ‘Oh,’ gasped Audrey. . . ‘Well, Whitey’s better now, ain’t he and there’s nowt to keep me here is there?’
    ‘I suppose not,’ said Audrey in a small voice. She wanted to tell him of the terrible bargain that she had to keep – surely he would not think she was cruel then. ‘Piccadilly—’ she began.
    ‘Listen to that,’ he said cocking one ear to the band. ‘That’s the “Suitors’ Dance” and I promised Miss Poot.’ The city mouse left her and Audrey’s eyes pricked with wretched tears.
    The rest of the evening swept by merrily. Nobody noticed Audrey slipping away to her room with her paws over her eyes.
    Slowly the party broke up. Those from the Landings yawned and made their way up the stairs. The Raddle sisters tittered at Tom Cockle who was sound asleep and snoring loudly with an empty bowl of berrybrew at his side. Biddy Cockle scolded and shook him, then with some help from Algy, Tom Cockle staggered home singing at the top of his voice about a mouse called Gertie. Biddy was not amused and made him sleep in the spare room for three days afterwards.
    Eventually, Piccadilly was left alone in the hall. ‘I must go tomorrow,’ he told himself miserably. ‘Back to the grit and grime of the city.’ He bowed his head and wept silently beneath the crescent summer moon.

5. A Meeting at Midnight
     
    It was not yet dawn. The greyness of night lingered reluctantly in corners and doorways. Somewhere, behind the tall tower blocks and council estates the sun rose slowly over the hidden horizon and the night shadows shrank deep into the earth for the rest of the day.
    Piccadilly quietly rose from his bed and put on his belt. He checked everything was where it should be: small