Read Online The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding - Free Book Online Page B

shirt rolled up to his elbows, displaying hisinkstained fingers. That made me wonder if he was an aspiring author too.
    ‘Johnny, do you write?’
    He laughed. ‘Not write in the sense you mean, Catkin. But if you want to show me what you’re doing, I’ll be able to help with grammar, spelling and so on.’
    ‘So why do you have inkstains on your fingers?’
    He looked down at his hands, turning them over to contemplate them. ‘You are a sharp one. The Bow Street magistrate could do with your help. No villain would escape your beady eye.’
    ‘Oh, he doesn’t stir out of doors,’ I said matter-of-factly. ‘If you want anything solved round here . . . stolen property returned, revenge for assault, runaway wives tracked down . . . you have to go to one of the gangs. They know everything that’s happening on their turf.’
    ‘Hmm,’ said Johnny sceptically. ‘I suspect they mete out a rather rough justice, that lot.’
    ‘Some do,’ I agreed. ‘Billy Shepherd’s boys, for example, are a bad bunch, more likely to be the cause of the problem than a help. And if you dosomething that makes them lose face, then you’re in trouble. They have a keen sense of honour . . .’ I faltered, remembering what I had done the day before.
    ‘Honour? That’s a strange word to use about a bunch of thugs.’
    ‘It’s not just gentlemen that fight if they think they’ve been insulted, Johnny,’ I explained. I had to put him straight for he wouldn’t last long on our streets if he didn’t know about the code of honour that prevailed out there. ‘But not all gangs are like Shepherd’s. Thankfully, there’s my friend Syd and his lads. They help keep Shepherd’s lot in check. If you need help, go to Syd: he’s always fair. And remember, it’s Billy Shepherd you have to watch. He’ll steal a blind man’s stick if it takes his fancy . . . and kick him in the gutter into the bargain.’ Having delivered my little lesson, I realised Johnny had successfully diverted me from asking about his inky fingers. ‘So, tell me.’
    ‘Tell you what?’
    His air of innocence as he rifled through the papers did not fool me.
    ‘Tell me what you’ve been up to.’
    He looked about him. ‘I don’t suppose it will do any harm to let you into the secret,’ he said. ‘I draw.’
    ‘Draw? What, likenesses? Could you draw me, for example?’
    He nodded. ‘Though I doubt I could do justice to your freckled nose and scruffy long curls.’ I hit him. ‘Ouch!’
    ‘Will you illustrate my manuscript for me? I’m sure the duke’s children would love to see more about what life is like backstage.’
    He looked at me for a moment, considering my request. ‘Of course I can,’ he said at length. ‘Avon is a decent fellow, I believe. The son also. And Lady Elizabeth is . . . is everything a lady should be. No, I don’t mind entertaining her friends.’
    It seemed a strange way to put it, but at least I now had something new I could offer on Friday. Hopefully, the young lords and ladies would excuse the writing if they were diverted by the pictures.
    Pedro was able to escape from his rehearsal atnoon so I decided it was high time to introduce him to Syd Fletcher. He needed the protection of Syd’s gang now he had had his meeting with Shepherd. I also wanted to tell Syd about our good fortune. Syd was bound to be very impressed: his father, a butcher, could only dream of supplying the likes of the Avon household, whereas Pedro and I were actually invited indoors! Perhaps this would at long last make Syd change his refusal and let me in as a member of his gang.
    Two of Syd’s boys were watching the street outside the back entrance to the Fletchers’ butcher’s shop, lounging in the wintry sunshine. Nick was spitting wads of tobacco at the wall while Joe practised a flamboyant shuffle of his pack of cards, letting the arch from one hand to the other.
    ‘’Ello, Cat,’ said Nick in a friendly tone, eyeing my companion with interest.