Ch 10
Lily and her friends sneaked out to the gatehouse where mrs Denby was living. Patricia knocked on the door to check if she was home. She wasn't and the door was locked. But luckily they found another way in. A backdoor.
"Okay check everything suspicious." Lily ordered. And right after she said that they heard voices. Mrs Denby, Victor and mr Sweet were coming in. Everyone hid in a cupboard except Amber who hid under a table. They heard the door open.
"We want to see the sleeper." They heard Victor say. Then they went up some stairs and a lot of doors were opened.
"We should go" Fabian whispered to his friends.
"No. Wait." Lily answered quietly.
There was no time, for the three adults had already come back downstairs.
"You didn't think I was up to the job of keeper, did you?" mrs Denby asked.
"You know I wouldn't be so pleased with myself if I were you Harriet" Victor answered sharply. "What if someone finds your secret room."
"No one's gonna find it." Mrs Denby said. "And if they do, they won't simply forget it. They will disappear."
"What are you saying?" mr Sweet asked.
"I'm saying that I take my responsibility very seriously. Victor dear, haven't you got a bracelet to find?" she said.
Lily felt her temper rising again. Victor and mr Sweet were about to leave when mrs Denby said:
"Oh and Victor. Do give my love to your lady friend Trudy."
Lily wanted to come out and hit mrs Denby. But there was nothing she could do. While mrs Denby went to take a shower the kids saw their chance to get out of the gatehouse. Everyone except Amber.
"I hate that witch!" Lily screamed. "Did you hear how she talked to him? Dear Victor, give my love to your lady friend Trudy."
"Yes yes Lily. But that still doesn't show that she is up to something bad. Maybe we should just let them wake Robert."
"No!" Lily said. "Let's find out more before we do anything."
"By the way, where is Amber?" Alfie asked.
"Oh my god, is she still at the gatehouse?" Fabian said.
"Well, she will get away with detention. No big deal." Patricia said.
"Oh my god! Did you just say that Amber is in the gatehouse?" KT asked suddenly. She had stormed in from the living room.
Fabian nodded.
"Oh no, you can't trust Denby." KT said.
"Why should we believe you?" Patricia scoffed as Eddie also came.
"KT what do you know?" Lily asked.
"Denby is dangerous." Eddie said.
"What do you mean?" Lily asked concerned.
"She's not who she claims to be." Eddie said.
"You have to get Amber out." KT said.
Victor was coming down the stairs. It was almost ten o'clock. Lily, Alfie, Patricia and Fabian rushed to the door Victor was about to lock.
"Victor um.." Fabian started.
"You have to come quickly there is um.." Patricia continued.
"A mouse!" Alfie shouted. "No, a rat. A big rat!"
Victor looked at him in disbelief.
"Don't you dare to test my patience." He warned.
"Victor please, there really was a rat." Lily said. "I'm afraid."
"All right show me." Victor sighed and took his key from his pocket to lock the outdoor.
"Victor please, now." Lily pleaded.
"One second young lady." He answered and locked the door. Fabian and Alfie looked disappointed. They couldn't get out and search for Amber today. Lily took Victor to the kitchen and told him the rat has been there. The rat was nowhere to be seen, apparently, but Victor promised to put a mousetrap in the kitchen. There was nothing Lily and her friends could do for Amber just now.