Tunnels of Blood

“Ahoy, cap’n,” she said, saluting.

“Excuse me?” I replied, startled.

“The costume,” she grinned, tugging my coat open. “I think it’s cool, you look like a pirate. You going in or just looking?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m looking for a present for my brother, but I’m not sure what to get him.” That was our cover story — that Evra and me were brothers, and Mr Crepsley was our father.

“Right,” she nodded. “How old is he?”

“A year older than me,” I said.

“Aftershave,” she said firmly.

I shook my head. “He hasn’t started shaving yet.” And never would: hairs wouldn’t grow on Evra’s scales.

“OK,” she said. “How about a CD?”

“He doesn’t listen to much music,” I said. “Although if I got him a CD player, he might start.”

“Those are expensive,” the girl said.

“He’s my only brother,” I said. “He’s worth it.”

“Then go for it.” She held out a hand. She wasn’t wearing gloves, despite the cold. “My name’s Debbie.”

I shook her hand – mine looked very white compared with her dark skin – and told her my name.

“Darren and Debbie.” She smiled. “That sounds good, like Bonnie and Clyde.”

“Do you always talk like this to strangers?” I asked.

“No,” she said. “But we’re not strangers.”

“We’re not?” I frowned.

“I’ve seen you around,” she said. “I live in the Square, a few doors up from the hotel. That’s how I knew about the pirate costume. You hang out with that funny guy in glasses and a fake beard.”

“Evra. He’s the one I’m buying the present for.” I tried placing her face but couldn’t remember seeing her with the other kids. “I haven’t noticed you around,” I said.

“I haven’t been out much,” she replied. “I’ve been in bed with a cold. That’s why I spotted you – I’ve been spending my days staring out the window, studying the Square. Life gets really boring when you’re stuck in bed.”

Debbie blew into her hands and rubbed them together.

“You should be wearing gloves,” I told her.

“Look who’s talking,” she sniffed. I’d forgotten to pull on a pair before leaving. “Anyway, that’s what I’m here for – I lost my gloves earlier and I’ve been stomping about from shop to shop trying to find an identical pair. I don’t want my parents to find out I lost them on only my second day out of bed.”

“What were they like?” I asked.

“Red, with fake fur round the wrists,” she said. “My uncle gave them to me a few months ago but didn’t say where he got them.”

“Have you tried this place yet?” I asked.

“Uh-uh,” she said. “I was on my way in when I spotted you.”

“Want to come in with me?” I asked.

“Sure,” she said. “I hate shopping by myself. I’ll help you choose a CD player if you want, I know a lot about them.”

“OK,” I said, then pushed the door open and held it for her.

“Why, Darren,” she laughed, “people will think you fancy me.”

I felt myself blushing and tried to think of a suitable response – but couldn’t. Debbie giggled, walked in, and left me to trail along behind her.

CHAPTER FIVE

DEBBIE’S SURNAME was Hemlock and she hated it.

“Imagine being named after a poisonous plant!” she fumed.

“It’s not that bad,” I said. “I quite like it.”

“Shows what sort of taste you have,” she sniffed.

Debbie had only moved here recently with her parents. She had no brothers or sisters. Her Dad was a computer whiz, who regularly flew around the world on business. They’d swapped homes five times since she was born.

She was interested to learn that I was also used to moving around. I didn’t tell her about the Cirque Du Freak but said I was on the road a lot with my dad, who was a travelling salesman.

Debbie wanted to know why she hadn’t seen my father in the Square. “I’ve seen you and your brother loads of times, but never your dad.”

“He’s an early riser,” I lied. “He gets up before dawn and doesn’t come back till after dark most days.”

“He leaves the two of you alone in the hotel?” She pursed her lips as she considered it. “What about school?” she asked.

“Are these like the gloves you want?” I side stepped the question, picking a pair of red gloves off a rack.

“Nearly,” she said, studying them. “Mine were a shade darker.”

We went on to another store and looked at loads of CD players. I didn’t have much money on me, so I didn’t buy anything.

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