Disclaimer - I don't own any books from the Charlie Bone series, I wish I did but ALL credit goes to Jenny Nimmo.

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Charlie was confused, completely and utterly confused. It had been 5 minutes now since he had been told about their sudden invite to the Torsson's house. His uncle had said something about a surprise, that didn't help he was even more confused now and really didn't know what to say to Mr and Mrs Torsson after all he blamed himself for Tancred's death.

But here they were now pulling up to the Torsson's monster of a house and Charlie felt yet another knot tie in his stomach, thanks to the sheer size of the house looming above him as though purposely trying to freak him out. He gulped and followed his uncle over to the door where he promptly knocked and waited completely calm.

He did however notice Charlie's tenseness and smiled warmly.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they're not going to electrocute you to death" he laughed.

Charlie only reply was a grim look his way and a solemn sigh.

"Don't try and be nice you're not good at it" he told him darkly, Panton only laughed at this.

The door then swung open and a small boy around the age of what looked like 4 stood in the door way staring up at them with wide eyes, they suddenly switched to glee and he began jumping up and down his blonde hair bouncing along with him.

"More people, more people!" he cried merrily.

Charlie frowned deeply; he didn't know Tancred had a younger brother? Or maybe his was his cousin... Nah he looked too much like Tancred, almost like a younger, mini version of him. Of course this kid was more peppy and hyper; it was like he had downed 6 bags of sugar the way he kept bouncing his ultramarine eyes dancing with some sort of merriness that even someone like Santa would envy.

Then a voice from the down the hall called down tiredly causing Charlie to turn away from the small boy.

"Tancred! What are you doing I told you not to run off like that, and who's at the door?" the voice asked.

It was Emma she came running down the hall looking flustered like she had been running a marathon, her cheeks were slightly red and she was breathing deeply, but stopped when she saw Charlie and Panton standing there.

The boy stopped his bouncing and looked up at the others confused.

"Charlie?" Emma said quietly.

"What happened?" Charlie finally said in shock now staring at the young boy in disbelief. While Panton looked... Well shocked beyond compare.

"Well..."

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Well I don't think this turned out too badly... I hope not anyway :) Please R&R