The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [27]
‘There was a break-in at the Cricket Club. Was that him too? They thought I’d stolen the tea money.’
‘Probably. He’s been breaking into lots of places and stealing things.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Nora’s been getting reports from the Night Guard for a while now about things going missing.’
‘Night Guard?’
‘They’re like security guards. Of course they’re under my command. I give them their orders.’
Jack wondered who the Night Guard could be. He watched Camelin lean out of the window and give a long, low whistle. It was answered immediately by a short, shrill sound.
‘Come up. It’s OK,’ he whispered into the darkness below.
It wasn’t long before a brown, furry face appeared at the window. The creature hopped nimbly into Jack’s room and leapt onto the table. It stood on its hind legs balancing gracefully on its large feet. Its long tail trailed behind.
‘It’s a rat!’ exclaimed Jack.
‘It’s no ordinary rat. This is Motley.’
The rat tipped his head onto one side and bent slightly forwards. His nose and whiskers twitched several times before he began squeaking rapidly. Camelin listened and nodded as he followed Motley’s conversation.
‘Why can’t I understand him?’
‘Because you’re not a raven. Put your wand back in your other hand. You’ll be able to understand him then.’
The room lit up as Jack moved the wand.
‘Not so bright… not so bright if you don’t mind,’ complained Motley. ‘Can’t you turn it down a bit? Cut the dazzle.’
‘I’m sorry, it’s new. I haven’t got used to it yet.’
‘Just think about something dark,’ Camelin advised.
Jack remembered the gloom of Newton Gill Forest and immediately his wand dimmed to a pale glow.
‘Not bad,’ said Motley. ‘A natural.’
‘Beginner’s luck,’ Camelin grumped.
Motley didn’t take any notice of Camelin and gave Jack an encouraging nod.
‘Back to important matters… my report… we’ve sent Peabody packing or, rather, you did Jack when you tossed him out of the bush with your wand… the Night Guard were following him to see where he’d holed up…’
‘I know where he’s been,’ interrupted Jack.
Camelin and Motley looked surprised.
‘He said the Gnori in Newton Gill Forest was his tree now, if that’s any help.’
‘Nora won’t be pleased,’ said Camelin.
‘Dead wood don’t talk,’ explained Motley.
‘You mean he’s in the dead wood so nobody knows he’s there?’
‘Spot on,’ confirmed Motley and Camelin together.
Motley began pacing up and down on the table before he spoke again.
‘Camelin… go and stop the Night Guard… that Forest’s not a good place to be after dark… I’ll report back to Nora… she needs to know what’s happened.’
Camelin gave an embarrassed cough. It was obvious to Jack who was really in charge.
‘Meet you back at headquarters,’ announced Motley.
‘Yes, OK. See you later,’ Camelin agreed before flying off in the direction of Newton Gill Forest.
‘Can’t stand around talking all night… got responsibilities… rounds to be done.’
Motley leapt nimbly onto the window ledge.
‘Thanks,’ replied Jack, because he didn’t know what else to say.
‘Don’t forget to close the window,’ Motley squeaked as he scampered down the thick ivy that grew everywhere on the walls of Grandad’s house.
Jack made doubly sure the latch was down on the window before putting his wand on the table. He felt very tired as he climbed back into bed but he lay awake for ages, too excited to sleep.
It was nearly one o’clock the following afternoon when Jack eventually woke up. He’d heard Grandad shouting upstairs to say he’d left Jack’s breakfast on the table but that was hours ago. He drew the curtain a fraction. Grandad was still busy in the vegetable garden. If he hurried up he could get downstairs and clear away the breakfast things before Grandad came back in. He didn’t want him to know he’d overslept. He was curious to know if anything else had happened. He checked his Book of Shadows; there were no messages.
As soon as Jack got downstairs he quickly put the breakfast things away. He was closing the pantry door when Grandad came into