Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr by Holly Bell (best english novels for beginners .txt) 📕

‘As expected. So, farewells said?’ she asked Cal.

‘Yes.’

‘All right. Now. Remember: try not to contact me unless it’s absolutely necessary.’

‘I know.’

‘And Cal, don’t push against what is bad. But just be for what is good. Don’t let anyone turn this into your war. Always look towards peace, as is your father’s way, and you’ll find the path.’

‘Yes, Aunt Gigi.’

‘I don’t know how long they’ll let this department operate. The funding gets less every year. We have our opponents, shall we say, but we have one or two friends too .... Well, dear boy ... you know where to get in touch with me. Take care of yourself. Promise?’

‘Promise.’

They hugged. A parting smile. The last for who knew how long. They walked off in opposite directions, their feet echoing in the passage. He would miss her comforting presence. But adventure, and great work, beckoned.

***

Amanda sniffed, then discreetly blew her nose, at this point in the story.

Hogarth smiled kindly.

‘It’s all right, my dear. We did meet again.’

‘Oh good. So what happened next?’

‘I thoroughly enjoyed uni, as we’d call it these days. I was subtle, or so I hoped, about approaching those who might be key to intelligence in the future. Hard to tell at that age. On graduating, I entered police college. My posting was a forgone conclusion: Parhayle. First, on the beat, then detective ranks: constable, sergeant, then an early promotion to inspector. I had quite a large area to cover, but they must have considered that, given my comparative youth and assumed vitality, I could handle the long hours and travelling.

‘Over the years there were rumours, a number of accidental deaths where you’d expect them, but some unexplained events and sightings. And then things went quiet. There were whispers. More rumours, conversations behind hands and that fell silent when I would appear. I had occasion to interview a member or two of the Flamgoynes and Cardiubarns. They were gracious but guarded. But the whispers .…’

Amanda felt how the mood in the room had changed. She was aware of the wind sighing in the chimney, high and low, the rattle of a window, a loose tile above. Hogarth’s face had grown grave as he spoke the last words of his tale for that evening.

‘They were whispers of children. Children going missing.’

Chapter 10

Pasco, and Amanda Meets Nancarrow

Over the final cup of tea, Hogarth asked,

‘What do you have planned for tomorrow, Amanda?’

‘I’m — Oh, I’d entirely forgotten to mention my little adventure.’ She related the circumstances in which she had made her new acquaintance in Parhayle.

Trelawney looked at her with a frown at the sound of the name.

‘Pasco?’

‘Yes, I know there’s a Pasco Flamgoyne, but there must be lots of Pascos in Cornwall, and he seemed like a good person. We had a rare old chat in Cornish. He’s going to practice with me again on Friday afternoon,’ Amanda added enthusiastically.

Trelawney was unsettled, but Hogarth responded easily,

‘Good to know you’ve made a friend.’

The next morning, Trelawney called into the station just before 9 o’clock.

‘Nancarrow,’ he said to his constable. ‘I’d like you to find all of the Pascos over 70 years of age, say, living in and around Parhayle.’

‘Yes, sir,’ she replied readily.

He was due to pick up Amanda for breakfast at 10 o’clock. At 9.05 he sent a text and got the reply:

Sure. Door’s open

Minutes later, Trelawney was at his destination.

‘Up here!’ came Mike’s voice from above. The inspector climbed the stairs to find his friend up a ladder, painting the bathroom ceiling. Mike descended with a grin and a face speckled with white emulsion. ‘Something urgent?’

‘Sorry to disturb you, but I just wanted a word in private about this … Pasco. What if it is?’

‘Pasco Flamgoyne? Let it run its course. Perhaps it is intended that they should meet.’

‘Do you think he knows who she is?’

‘Amanda is a pretty average name, and Parhayle has its fair share of visitors. I wonder if he’d have accepted tea and cake from her if he’d known she was of Cardiubarn stock. But then, who’s to say? Too soon for concern, lad.’

‘All right then.’

Trelawney arrived at Amanda’s on time and asked whether she had any preference for a breakfast venue.

‘Yes, I do, if it’s not too far,’ she answered promptly, fetching Tempest’s blanket.

‘Not sure we can manage a drive to Land’s End, but within reason,’ the inspector responded amiably.

‘It’s a place where your dad took me yesterday.’

‘Ah. They do a full Cornish do they?’

‘Better!’

‘Really?’

‘Scones and jam with dairy-free clotted cream!’ Amanda announced in triumph.

‘Well ... er ... so you want a cream tea for ... breakfast?’ Trelawney asked her sceptically.

‘Yes, please,’ she replied brightly.

He was somewhat taken aback but rallied gallantly.

‘Your wish is my command, Miss Cadabra. I take it this hostelry is to be found in proximity to the Moor?’

‘Yes, it’s called the Twisting Current, and it’s near St Cleer, just 20 minutes away. See?’ Amanda showed the inspector her phone with Google Maps on display.

‘Very well. You have convinced me.’

Amanda gathered up Tempest.

‘I see we are to be accompanied,’ commented the inspector, registering what he regarded as the malevolent grey heap of fur.

‘We both uttered the C word,’ Amanda explained.

‘Cream?’

‘I’m afraid so.’

His phone dinged a text.

‘Excuse me .... Ah, is it all right if we drop in at the station? Ten minutes tops.’

‘Of course. As long as you like.’

Presently he drove into the car park with its distinctive oak tree. Amanda had spotted it on her distance viewing of the station with Kyt. The new, bright green leaves were so small at this time of year that it looked bare until a closer inspection.