Chapter Five: House of Agendas/House of Keys
Georgie rolled her eyes as Patricia soon dragged Mara upstairs, probably to complain about the whole situation; she decided against rescuing Mara though. If she wanted to be on Patricia's side then she can live with the consequences. Amber left too to get changed out of her uniform so it was just Georgie and Jerome left, sitting on the sofa. He was on his laptop, scrolling through Facebook.
"So have you got any plans this weekend?" he asked Georgie, throwing an arm to rest on the sofa behind her.
"Not really," she replied. "Apart from netball training. You?"
"Nah, nothing," he said, shrugging casually. "Did you want too—?"
"Hey, Georgie!" shouted Mick as he ran into the room, kicking a ball. Jerome scowled and glared at Mick.
"Er, yeah Mick?" Georgie asked, although looking at Jerome who was now staring at his laptop.
"Do you want to go for a run or something soon?" he asked, still playing with his ball by the dining table. "You've got to keep your fitness up alongside your netball training!" He grinned, excited to be talking about sport.
"Yeah can do," she replied, smiling at his enthusiasm. "As long as it's okay with—"
"It'll be fine," he said, rather abruptly—this caused Georgie to look at him surprised, wishing she hadn't said anything.
Jerome suddenly smiled to himself, looking up from his laptop. "So how's things between you and Amber since this whole kissing incident?"
"I'm not going to talk to you about Amber dude," Mick replied.
"Only asking," Jerome said, in a sincere way. "But I do have my head to the ground if you do need any information." Georgie inwardly winced, knowing exactly where this was heading.
"No thanks, I think I've got it covered," Mick said confidently.
"Of course," Jerome said, raising his hands slightly. "You're Mick."
"Yep."
"As if you wouldn't know about your own girlfriend and Alfie," Jerome continued. "What was I thinking."
"What?" Mick asked, holding his ball.
"Alfie and Amber," Jerome said in a knowing tone. "In the laundry room last night."
"The laundry room?" Mick asked again, walking towards them, sounding really confused.
"Oh!" Jerome quickly shut the lid down on his laptop. "You didn't know? Sorry mate, I hate to be the bearer of bad news...but, it does look like Alfie is a little bit more of a Romeo than we thought. "
"Did you know about this?" he asked Georgie, sounding a little hurt.
"No, no..." Georgie said quickly, biting her lip.
"Right," Mick said, storming off.
"Where are you going?" Georgie asked, suddenly feeling slightly panicked, standing up.
"To get Alfie," Mick said angrily.
"No, no, no!" Jerome said, who had stood up too and stopped Mick from leaving the living room. "You don't want to do that."
"I do, I really, really do!"
"No you don't Mick," Jerome said reasonably, pushing him to sit down on the sofa. "You're better than that." Georgie breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down on her own sofa, feeling nervous. "Alfie's a joke. He's not worth the effort." She frowned at this; Jerome never spoke about Alfie like that usually.
"Yeah..." Mick agreed.
"And Amber, she's just a two-timing flirt! You're better off without her."
Georgie pressed a hand to her forehead, realising what Jerome was doing for Alfie. Should she tell Mick that Amber thought she was meeting him last night? That she pushed Alfie away? That she has been trying to get Mick's attention all along? But then Jerome would not impressed with her...oh, the dilemma. But then Mara likes Mick and Alfie likes Amber so maybe it would all be for the best?
"Amber is gone," Mick said defiantly. "History. I don't need that." Oh no, Amber will be heartbroken...
"That's my man," Jerome said, slapping his leg gently.
Speak of the Devil and he shall appear for Amber then entered the room, stopping and folding her arms. "I'm waiting for an apology, Mick."
"You'll be waiting a long time, then," he replied, standing and walking past her.
"Wait a minute!" she called after him. "I'm the mad one!" She turned to Georgie and Jerome. "He's the one who stood me up!" She growled and went into the kitchen.
"She shouldn't have assumed the message was from Mick," Jerome said quickly before Georgie could tell him off. "Don't blame me."
"Jerome," she whined. "I feel like I know too much and I feel like this is a massive responsibility and I feel bad and—"
"Then why have you not told anyone?" he asked, cocking his head and raising an eyebrow at her. He left his sofa and stood in front of Georgie. Smiling slightly he rested a hand on the arm of the sofa and leaned over her.
"Er...because you're my friend?" she answered, a bit pathetically; there was no way she was feeling brave enough to admit anything else.
"Amber, Mick and Alfie and are all your friends too," he said quietly.
Oh, damn it. He's good... Georgie felt her heartbeat increase as she stared back at him with a loss of words. And being literally speechless is just something she was not used to.
"Oh...sorry," Amber said, grinning away, not looking sorry at all. They both looked at her quickly, and Jerome sat back down next to Georgie as Amber took a seat in the corner, smiling to herself. Oh no, Amber knows about my crush on Jerome...great.
"What are you grinning at?" Patricia demanded, and Georgie looked away from Amber, who had winked at her, to see she was talking to Jerome.
"Just happy to be alive," he said serenely.
"Any sign of Victor with our bags?"
"No—it's great though, isn't it?" Jerome replied. "The perfect excuse not to do French homework." However it was at that moment that Victor emerged, holding everyone's bags. "Ah...I spoke too soon."
"Here we are!" He announced, dropping them on the table in the middle of the living room. "All checked."
"Find anything?" Patricia asked.
"Nothing that shouldn't be there, no," he replied before leaving. Georgie's mouth fell open in surprise as she took her bag from the pile—that file was definitely in there and there was no way Victor would have missed it...
She sighed, pulling her French book out of her bag, but her thoughts were interrupted by Amber. "Do you think Mick's playing hard to get?" she asked loudly. "Because if he is that's so childish. You've just go to ask yourself: W.W.V.B.D.."
"Which is...?"
"What would Victoria Beckham do?" she said, flicking through her magazine.
Mara and Patricia shared a look whilst Georgie asked, "And what would Victoria Beckham do?"
"I'm still figuring that out," Amber muttered.
Georgie smiled to herself. Then, Nina and Fabian entered, each sitting on the opposite side of Georgie. "So we have a plan," Fabian said, grinning. "Nina, if you will."
"On Monday, at lunch, we're going to sneak out and visit the old lady from the Home," Nina explained, whispering. "Ask her about the treasure and stuff."
"And we can't just go this weekend and therefore no sneaking is required because...?"
"Ah, because the Home doesn't allow non-relatives to visit on the weekend, it's their policy or something," Nina replied.
"Oh. Weird but alright," Georgie shrugged. "Ok, I'm in."
"Great!"
"But no more attic trips for a few nights, I need a decent night's sleep," Georgie admitted.
Fabian chuckled. "Yeah, me too."
"Dinner's ready!" Trudy called, and Georgie jumped up with everybody else to head over for some much-needed food.
Later on that evening when Georgie was in her room with Amber and Mara, she lay in bed, watching highlights from the rugby match she missed last weekend on her laptop; her favourite team the Saracens had played against Worcester Warriors.
"Isn't it weird about Joy's file," Mara wondered aloud when Amber had gone to the bathroom.
"It is strange how Victor didn't blow up about it," Georgie agreed, taking her headphones out.
"Patricia thought that maybe they didn't want a discussion, so it'd be easier to steal the file back and pretend it never happened," Mara explained.
"She could be right there," Georgie said slowly, thinking about all the weirdness.
"So you think that something has happened to Joy?"
"Well I don't know if anything has happened to her but something weird definitely went on," Georgie replied. "I mean, come on, you know how close they were. And Joy had made plans for them too. Why would she just leave? Family issues?"
"Could have," Mara said thoughtfully. "But then surely she could just message Patricia on Facebook or email her or something."
"I really hope her mobile reaches her," Georgie said. "Then Patricia can chill out."
They didn't talk anymore about it though when Amber came back from the bathroom. After talking for a little while longer, Georgie switched off her laptop and went to sleep, needing an early night.
The weekend, as weekends always do, came and went very quickly. On Saturday Georgie had netball training, and on Saturday night she had a 'girly' night in with Amber and Mara. Amber bombarded Georgie with questions about her crush on Jerome, and Georgie had to plead she wouldn't say anything to him or anybody else. Amber was a motor mouth and Georgie wasn't happy she knew, so she would have to tread carefully from now on.
On Sunday she had a lazy day, staying in, watching TV, doing homework...which was important now more than ever seeing as their GCSE exams were only a year away. Fabian and Nina were trying to decipher the hieroglyphics they found on the back of the portrait they found in the attic, and Georgie did have a flick through some Ancient Egypt books she owned, but none had any translations in. She hadn't seen Jerome all that much on the weekend, and Amber and Mick still hadn't settled their differences; if they didn't talk properly and figure out what's going on soon then Georgie would have to just suck it up and tell them what she knows. And this was partly the reason why she hadn't seen Jerome all the much over the weekend, as she wanted to avoid talking about it.
All too soon though it was Monday morning and Joy had been missing for a whole week, as she was reminded when Patricia was talking to Mara about it that morning. She left them to it; she may feel a tiny bit sorry for her but that does not excuse her horrible attitude. Georgie went down to breakfast and sat by Nina and Fabian.
After they had eaten, Fabian asked: "So we're still sneaking out this lunchtime yeah?"
"You're getting really good at this sneaking around stuff," Nina said, flashing a smile as they stood up.
"Well I learnt from the best," Fabian said, as the three of them laughed.
"And you shall both find that my skills at sneaking are superior," Georgie joked. "After all—"
"Whisper, whisper, whisper," Patricia said accusingly. "Very cosy."
"Let's go," Fabian muttered as they grabbed their blazers and schoolbags.
"Since when did you become her friend instead of mine, Fabian?" Patricia asked, frowning.
"Since you became such a witch, Patricia," Fabian told her, leaving the dining area.
"Where have you been the last week?" Georgie asked angrily. "He's been her friend since she arrived, and so have I."
"We were never friends anyway if you recall."
"So no love lost then."
"Fabian can be both of our friends'," Nina offered to Patricia.
"Not likely," Patricia shot back. Nina merely shrugged and Georgie followed her out.
"Ah, morning Georgie," said Jerome, as they walked out of Anubis House.
"Hey Jerome," she said, smiling at him.
"I didn't see you much on the weekend," he said, sounding somewhat disheartened by this.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I've been fairly busy," Georgie replied, and this was almost the truth. Well, it wasn't a downright lie after all. She had been busy. A bit.
Jerome didn't press it though. "Is there any update on the Amber and Mick situation?" he asked her.
"Nope," Georgie said. "They're still mad at each other."
"Alfie will be making the next move soon...hopefully anyway," Jerome added.
"Do you really think that this is a good idea?" Georgie asked him, chewing her bottom lip in worry again.
"Of course it is Georgie, I've already told you—Alfie really likes Amber, so I am doing what any best friend would do," Jerome said, justified.
"For money though," Georgie reminded him.
"Yeah well, a man has got to make some cash somehow, and it's a bonus because I'm helping a buddy out and being paid for it too," he said, placing a hand over his heart and looking extremely happy with himself.
Georgie laughed. "Well just be careful, someone is bound to put two and two together at some point and figure out what's really going on."
"I'll think of something," Jerome said confidently as they entered the school building. "But your concern is touching."
"Someone has got to look out for you," Georgie told him as they stood by his locker. He smiled at her.
"Hey, are you doing anything at lunch today?" he asked her hopefully.
Her heart sank. "I'm sorry Jerome, I'm going to...er, I've got plans." She had almost slipped up and mentioned the Home but he frowned nevertheless.
"What plans?" he asked her. "It's nothing to do with Dean is it?"
"No, no!" Georgie said quickly, almost laughing at his worry. "I'm just helping Nina and Fabian with something."
"Oh, ok," he shrugged.
"Why did you think I'd be with Dean at lunch?" she asked.
"Oh, well..." he ran a hand through his hair nervously. "I heard Dean and that rebound girl of his broke up so I was worried that—I mean, I thought he would have contacted you...or something."
Georgie beamed at him. "You don't need to worry there. I'm not making that mistake twice."
"Phew, good," he said, laughing nervously.
"But I'll see if I can make it back early from helping Nina and Fabian, and I'll come find you," Georgie promised.
"Sounds good."
Their lesson just before lunch was History and Mr Winkler last week had introduced their final project of the year: Ancient History. Georgie personally loved the Romans and hoped to do a project on the Roman Emperor Augustus.
"So have you guys given anymore thought to your Ancient History projects yet?" asked their teacher. "Mick?"
"Yeah. History of the Roman Gladiatorial Games."
"Excellent!"
"With a practical demonstration of me, as a Gladiator, humiliating and destroying Alfie in a very public arena," he said forcefully, leaning over to him.
"Come on Mick," Alfie protested but soon turned around to avoid his 'knowing gaze.'
Georgie frowned and turned around to see what was going on; Jerome caught her eye and laughed slightly.
"Right..." said Mr Winkler. "Fabian, anymore thoughts on your project yet?"
"Yeah, me and Nina thought we might do something on Egyptian mythology," he replied.
"Yeah especially as Anubis House is named after an Egyptian God," Nina continued.
"Nice one," Mr Winkler said, impressed. "You know I'm a particular fan of Egyptian mythology, all that interest in life after death and living forever."
"Who'd want to live forever?" Amber said in disgust, who was sitting by Georgie. "Imagine how wrinkled you'd get."
Mick scoffed, so Amber turned around in her seat. "What?"
"Right..." Mr Winkler said again. "Anything else? Anyone?"
"What's wrong with you?" Amber said quietly to Mick.
"What do you think is wrong with me?" he shot back.
"I have absolutely no idea!"
After Mr Winkler told them to be quiet the bell rang, signalling lunch. "Ok, we will continue this session after lunch. Guys, please don't be late."
Amber got up with her books and Georgie turned to see Alfie looking hopeful. "Hey Amber, can I...carry your books?"
She held them up. "Thanks Alfie, I think I can manage." Huffing she left the classroom in a hurry and Georgie smiled in pity at Alfie.
"Alfie, what kind of line was that?" Jerome asked him. "I'm surprised you didn't try the corny red rose thing again." Alfie sighed but Georgie had to leave them to it as she hurried out with Nina and Fabian. They left the school grounds and quickly made their way to the Old People's Home.
"I'm quite excited to see what she has to say," Georgie said, grinning at the other two.
"Me too," Nina agreed. "Although don't expect too much as I think she has a form of Dementia and, well, it's getting a lot worse."
Georgie. "Ok, thanks for the heads up."
It was only down the road so they didn't have far to sneak to; Nina did all the talking at reception as she was greeted by 'Emily's' nurse. She then led them to Sarah's/Emilys' room.
"Hello?" Nina said, opening the door. "Can I come in, Sarah?"
Lying in the bed was a very old lady indeed, but it warmed Georgie's heart when she smiled widely at the sight of Nina.
"Oh it's you!" she said excitedly, holding out her arms. Nina grinned and sat down by the bed whilst Fabian and Georgie stayed by the door. "Have you found it yet?"
"Found what?"
"The treasure!"
"No, I came to ask you where it is," Nina replied softly.
"You won't let him find it, will you?" Sarah asked seriously. "Promise you won't let him find it!"
"I promise, I promise," Nina reassured her.
"Good."
"Sarah, who's this?" Nina asked her, removing the locket from around her neck and opening it up, showing Sarah the portraits inside.
Sarah gasped. "Is it you?"
"No it's not me," Nina said smiling. "She's way too cute!"
Fabian and Georgie smiled at one another; Georgie felt happy she was paying this lady a visit, as she doesn't get visitors often, according to Nina. But she also felt sad that she was alone in the world: nobody should be alone.
"It looks like you," Sarah remarked. Suddenly she noticed Georgie and Fabian standing in the doorway. "Who are they?"
"Sarah, this is Georgie and Fabian," Nina said, gesturing for them to come forward.
"You mustn't let them see it!" Sarah said as she started to panic, pushing the locket back to Nina. "Hide it! Hide it!"
Fabian and Georgie jumped back to the doorway, and Nina quickly put the necklace back on. "It's gone! See, it's gone. It's alright Sarah. Everything is going to be alright."
"Good," Sarah whispered. "The blackbird is watching the House. You have to be careful!"
"Blackbird..." Fabian muttered to Georgie, narrowing his eyes. She shrugged, thinking only of Victor's stuffed bird that sits in his office.
"Sarah, we have to go now," Nina said sadly as she held her hand comfortingly. "We have to go back to school."
Sarah nodded, and closed her eyes, suddenly tired. "Ok...please come and see me again soon."
"I will, I promise."
Nina didn't get a response so she removed her hand from Sarah's grasp and they left the Home, all thinking about what just happened.
"Well...er, that went well," Georgie said, laughing nervously.
"What's our next move?" Fabian asked, sharing a nod with Georgie.
"Our best option is to just translate those Hieroglyphics," Nina said. "I found a book in the library that was specifically on Hieroglyphics so I'll have a look later."
"Great," Georgie said optimistically. "Let me know if you find anything."
"Of course," Nina smiled, and they quickly made their way back to school. There was still half 'n hour of lunch left and a good thing too for Georgie was starving.
They headed to the canteen and after they had eaten Georgie left them to find her other friends. She found Amber and Mara watching a game of football outside. Alfie was playing, and Jerome and Mick were watching on the opposite sideline.
"Hey guys," Georgie greeted, sitting next to them.
"Hey Georgie."
"I think Patricia may be feeling bad about Nina," Mara informed her.
"Seriously?" Georgie asked in disbelief, her eyes widened.
"Trudy apparently said this morning that Nina was due to start at the beginning of term but there was a bureaucratic mix-up and her scholarship money was delayed," Mara said.
"See?" Georgie sighed. "That's Patricia all over, isn't it? All mouth and no brain."
Mara shrugged. "She's been feeling pretty down today. I think she's just confused over the teacher's hushing everything up."
"Hey Amber!" called Alfie, holding the ball. "Catch!"
However, his plan backfired and the ball smacked Amber straight in the face. "OUCH!" she yelled, glaring at him. "ALFIE!"
"Sorry, sorry!" He said, embarrassed.
"As if I would ever be interested in Alfie," she told Georgie and Mara crossly. Georgie looked up when she felt eyes on them, and noticed Jerome and Mick looking over at them.
"Why don't you go across and speak to Mick?" Mara suggested.
"He left me a note asking to meet and then didn't turn up," Amber stated. "Why would he do something like that?"
"I don't know," Mara sighed. "Who can get inside the brain of a boy?"
"No-one, it's not big enough," Amber replied. The three of them laughed.
They looked up to see Mick joining in the football game; Alfie grinned and maybe thought that Mick was trying to be friendly...but Georgie saw that look on his face and knew differently.
"I'd wipe that smile off your face if I was you," Mick said crossly. Alfie, for some reason, blew a kiss and laughed; Mick saw red and shoved Alfie to the ground.
Georgie and Mara gasped and Amber said, outraged, "What was that for?"
"Mick, what was that mate?" asked Jerome who had ran over.
Georgie jumped up with Mara as they went to see if Alfie was ok. He was clutching his ankle and yelling in pain, putting it on slightly in Georgie's opinion. Mick laughed at Alfie being all dramatic.
"I think I broke my ankle!" Amber folded her arms at Mick, who now looked outraged.
"What? He's faking it, I hardly even touched him!" Mick exclaimed, walking away. Georgie bent down, sighing as Alfie continued to cry out.
"Come on Alfie, try and stand up," Jerome said reasonably. He got Alfie up on his feet and putting an arm around him they wobbled away back to school. "I'm just going to take him to the Infirmary," Jerome called to the others.
"What is Mick's problem?" Amber said, thoroughly irritated.
Georgie stared after Jerome and Alfie, hobbling away. This has gone too far and she has to tell the truth, whether Jerome likes it or not.
Later on in the afternoon they had a break so Georgie entered the common room and was immediately called over by Fabian. "Hey, Georgie, doesn't the girl in this picture look like Nina?"
She took the locket from Fabian and studied it; true, there was a weird resemblance. "Yeah a little bit actually," Georgie said in surprise. "It's the eyes, I think."
"That's what Fabian said," Nina grinned, taking the locket back as Fabian blushed a little. "Well, possibly a passing resemblance, but the fact is that we still don't know anything about this girl, or the treasure, or Sarah's connection to the house."
"Or if she's even called Sarah," Georgie added.
"That too," Nina agreed.
"Yeah but one thing is for certain," said Fabian, "this locket definitely belongs to her."
"And it opened that secret panel in the house," said Georgie.
"That's right," said Nina. "Which means that Sarah or Emily or whatever she's called must have either lived in or visited Anubis House at some point in the past."
Georgie pondered for a minute. "Guys, I don't mean to state the obvious but what if the girl in the two pictures is Sarah?"
"And what if the blackbird is Corbiere?" Fabian suggested.
Nina scoffed. "Well then we wouldn't have much to worry about since it's stuffed."
"But that is a weird coincidence though," Georgie thought aloud.
"This whole thing is weird," said Fabian. Georgie could have sworn she felt a shudder go through her as she thought about their little mystery. Something about it all did not feel right.
The following morning, after an afternoon and evening of Alfie blatantly faking his ankle injury (well, Jerome had told her as much) and Amber waiting on him hand and foot, Georgie poured herself a glass of orange juice as she sat by Fabian. Alfie lay on the sofa, looking very pleased with himself with his bandaged ankle propped up.
Amber put a pillow behind his head and asked, "Would you like another sugar in your tea Alfie?"
"Yes please."
"And what about some toast?"
"Toast would be nice." Amber nodded, and turned toward the kitchen. "Oh, Amber!"
"Yes?"
"With peanut butter."
"Ok."
"Oh and Amber!" He called. Once again.
"Yep?"
"And a little bit of honey...honey," he said, smiling away.
She pulled a face and nodded, confused, going into the kitchen. Fabian and Georgie just stared at the two of them, shocked. Jerome was walking around the table, collecting empty dishes and plates. "So Mick and Amber are definitely finished then?" Fabian asked him.
"Well it looks like it," Jerome answered.
"I can't believe she went on a date with Alfie," said Fabian as Jerome winked at Alfie. Georgie scowled. "I mean, what's next? Cats and dogs living in harmony?"
"The world is going to end," Georgie sighed, buttering some toast.
Mick then stormed into the dining room as Amber was spreading peanut butter onto Alfie's toast. "I hope you're pleased with yourself," Amber said to him. "Alfie's in a lot of pain this morning because of you."
Mick picked up the massive bowl of fruit from off of the table, just as Fabian was reaching to grab some. "Oh please." He took the bowl of fruit with him as he left the room, leaving Fabian to try and reach but failing, instead grabbing air. Georgie shrugged this off, but then began laughing as Nina almost had a collision with Mick and his tons of fruit.
"Can I see your phone?" she asked breathlessly. "To see the symbols from the painting."
"Yeah sure." Fabian took his phone from his pocket and got the photo up for Nina to see. "There you go."
"Thank you," Nina replied, as she began flicking through the pages of her book. This was the book that Nina must have mentioned yesterday at lunch.
Fabian frowned as he noticed Alfie stand up and high five Jerome, sharing a look of contempt with Georgie. "How's that ankle Alfie?" Fabian called over.
"Really bad!" Alfie quickly said, lying back down on the sofa.
Fabian and Georgie shook their heads, but Nina wasn't paying any attention. "I thought so," she suddenly said. "Look! This symbol here means terraced hill, or stairs. This one means buried, or underneath. And this one is the number eight." She pointed at each symbol on the phone and on each page of the book as she did so, explaining her hypothesis.
"So what you're saying," Georgie deduced, "is that the treasure could be buried underneath the eighth stair?"
"Do you think?" Fabian asked her excitedly.
"I don't know," she said honestly. "Maybe I've seen too many Indiana Jones movies, but I think it's worth checking out."
"How exciting!" Georgie whispered, that familiar sensation returning to her gut.
"Here you go Alfie," said Amber, handing over his tea and toast.
"Thank you Amber," Alfie said. "You're so sweet!"
"Amber and Georgie told me what Mick did," Nina said, putting down Fabian's phone. "I think that's pretty terrible."
"After what Alfie and Amber did I'm surprised Mick didn't do more damage," Fabian admitted.
"Why, what did they do?" Nina asked.
"They went on a date!"
Nina laughed. "What? How is that possible, are we talking about the same Alfie?"
Georgie agreed. "He's definitely no Romeo."
"It was the night we went up to the attic, remember?" Fabian explained. "We bumped into her in the corridor and she was all dressed up."
"Yeah, for her date with Mick, not Alfie," Nina clarified, laughing a little.
Fabian looked really confused, and Georgie didn't blame him. She warned Jerome that someone would hear both sides of the story and put two and two together. "Yeah, Georgie was there too. She got a message from Mick, or at least she thought it was from him, arranging to meet in the laundry room but he never showed."
"She had us look at forty outfits," Georgie said.
"Really?"
"Yeah she's not exaggerating," Nina grinned. "Forty outfits!" She jumped up to get some coffee and Georgie could see the cogs turning in Fabian's mind as he tried to figure it all out.
"Fabian, I have one word for you: Jerome," Georgie muttered, feeling her stomach drop. "Do with that information as you will."
Fabian pulled a face that showed Georgie he understood the obvious facts now. "He told you everything, didn't he?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "Turns out he can't trust me."
"Hey, it's not your fault," Fabian soothed, rubbing her back. "It's all got out of hand, if you ask me. And you didn't personally spread any rumours, so don't worry too much about it. And I'm guessing you like him?" Georgie smiled sheepishly at him, but he didn't judge her for it. "He is different around you, you know."
"That's what Mara said," Georgie responded. "But he's never going to change, is he? Not even I have that kind of power."
Fabian shrugged. "You never know. Give it time."
"Thanks Fabian," Georgie said sincerely, giving him a hug.
"You're welcome," he chuckled. "You know you can talk to me about anything."
"Just do me one favour?" Georgie asked. "Please don't tell Jerome I told you. About anything."
"Of course not," Fabian shook his head. "But I will sort this whole thing out—he won't know you told me."
"Thank you," Georgie said again. "He'll have to tell the Mick the truth."
"I'm counting on it," Fabian said, staring at Jerome who was laughing with Alfie.
Georgie sighed, and pressed her cheek into her palm, slouching on the table. Maybe rather than go along with Jerome's pranks and jokes she would have to try and change him.
Maybe.
The day passed and Georgie was walking back the house when Jerome caught up with her. "So you were right," he sighed.
"I'm always right," she agreed. "Wait...did you just admit that I'm right? Brilliant!"
He rolled his eyes. "Do you even know what I'm talking about?"
"Not a clue."
Despite everything, he smiled. She liked being able to make him smile or laugh, as not many people have that affect on Jerome Clarke. "Well, Fabian made me tell Mick the truth so it's all over. You said that someone would figure it out eventually."
"Yeah..." Georgie trailed off. "Nina and Fabian found they had conflicting versions of events so I think he just kind of figured it out and well, no offense, guessed it was you."
"I am not offended, I am pleased in a weird way he knew it'd be me," Jerome said, sighing in content. "I like my rep."
Georgie laughed nervously, glad this was all ending. "So what happens now? Will Mick make up with Amber?"
"I think so," Jerome said, shrugging.
"Relationships," Georgie sighed as they entered Anubis House. "So much hassle."
"Agreed."
Later on that evening Georgie was sitting by Jerome in the living room when all of a sudden they were attacked by Alfie and two pillows. She shrieked and tried to defend herself; then Jerome saw her vulnerability and started tickling her so they both fell on the floor. He knows how ticklish she is.
"Jerome—stop—!" she managed to ground out between gasping for air and laughing.
He grinned as she managed to pry herself free from his grip and lay facing upwards, getting her breath back.
Suddenly Patricia gasped "YES! I have an email from Joy!"
"That is great!"
"What?"
"Really?"
Patricia sat on the sofa that Georgie was on before she was pushed off, with Jerome and Alfie on either side of her and Fabian and Mara leaning over their shoulders. Georgie smiled a little at Jerome fixing his wild hair. He then patted his lap so she could sit down, and he rested his hands on her waist.
"What did she say?" he asked Patricia.
"'Hi Patricia'," Alfie mocked.
"Hang on, I'll read it," said Patricia, opening up the email. "Hi Patricia—"
"That settles it, I'm psychic!" Alfie announced.
"Sorry I haven't been in touch, it's been hectic since I left. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I'm fine. I know it probably seemed a bit odd of me disappearing like that but Dad's business went under and he needed to get me out of there a.s.a.p.. I was a bit shocked myself. Hope you are all okay and not missing me too much. Love, Joy. But there's no smiley-face at the end!" Jerome and Georgie groaned, and some of the others looked a little bemused too. "Joy always puts a smiley-face. And there's no text speak! It's all written out like properly."
"Joy has learnt to spell at last," Jerome joked, holding up Georgie's arms. "Hooray!"
"Hey Jerome, get off!" she said playfully as they laughed.
"And it's from a new email address!" Patricia said, still picking holes at Joy's email.
"Sometimes I use text speak in emails, and sometimes I don't," said Mara, as Jerome tapped Georgie's leg and she jumped up, heading towards the dinner table.
"And a new email address makes sense if she's moved house," Fabian continued, as they all tried to make her see reason. Georgie didn't think that a new email address came with moving house but she didn't want to argue.
"Yeah, you're right," Patricia sighed, shutting her laptop down.
"Wait, what?" Georgie suddenly said, surprised at what she was hearing. Thank you God!
"Sorry...I bet I've been driving you all crazy," she admitted.
"No," Mara said reasonably, whilst Jerome and Georgie said bluntly, "Yes."
"Especially you Nina," Patricia said.
"Nothing a few years of counselling won't fix," she joked.
"I guess I might have taken things a little too far," Patricia said, sighing.
"Just a little," Georgie agreed, rolling her eyes slightly but smiling all the same.
"It's really ok Patricia," Nina reassured her. "You were just worried about your friend. I'm just glad she's safe." Patricia smiled in thanks.
"Well I'm glad that everything is all over," Georgie said, breathing a sigh of relief and sinking in her chair, feeling much more relaxed.
"Right, can somebody help me take this food to the table please?" called Trudy.
"Coming," replied Patricia, who looked a lot happier now. Georgie personally was ecstatic.
"Wow, I think that might have been Patricia's attempt at an apology," Fabian said to Nina, who was smiling away.
"I think you might be right!"
"Hey guys!" called Amber, as she walked hand-in-hand into the dining room with Mick. "Guess what? Mick and I have made up!"
"Aw that's great guys," Fabian said sincerely.
"This night just couldn't get any better," Georgie said to Nina, amazed by the night's events.
"And we're having a party to celebrate tomorrow night," Amber continued. "And you're all invited!"
"Great!" Alfie said sarcastically. Georgie watched as his fake smile fell from his face and he looked down, crestfallen. Poor Alfie.
"Are you ready for tonight?" Nina whispered to Georgie. "I've brought my bike tools in!"
"For...?"
"Prying up floorboards, what else?" Nina grinned.
"Oh yeah! Definitely, count me in."
"It was all just a terrible misunderstanding," Amber explained to her roommates later that evening, as they heard Amber re-count her story for the hundredth time. "I mean, as if I would fancy Alfie and Mick fancy you." She directed this at Mara, who didn't look too happy as she lay in bed. "It's just crazy. And he's been so sweet all evening. Did I show you what he got me?" She showed them the shell in its box.
"Eleven times," Mara replied.
"And did I tell you he almost died getting this for me?" Amber asked.
"Fourteen times," Georgie sighed. Does this girl ever stop? Or get tired of hearing her own voice? Mara decided to intervene by reaching for the lamp and switching it off.
"Oh, are you tired Mara?"
"Dead tired."
"Me too," Amber agreed. "It has been a very emotional day."
Georgie and Mara rolled their eyes, and Georgie settled down, waiting for the time to pass. It would be stair sabotage time soon enough.
At midnight, Georgie met Nina outside their rooms and they crept out into the landing, avoiding Victor who was sleeping in his office; he had fallen asleep in his chair.
"Doesn't that man have a bedroom to go to?" Nina whispered.
"Do you know what, I actually don't know," Georgie said, and they laughed quietly.
They both crept down the creaky stairs, crouching and keeping an eye on Victor in case he awakens. They counted the stairs as they went, and when they reached the eight stair, Nina knelt down and took out her tools. They both began working on lifting the stair up; Fabian soon joined them too.
They opened up the stair, all of them eagerly waiting to find out what's underneath. Georgie's heart sank when all they met was darkness. "There's nothing in there," Nina said, almost in an annoyed tone.
"No, wait!" Fabian whispered excitedly, reaching in for something. Fabian pulled out a tiny key and they all gasped.
"I wonder what it's for," Georgie whispered.
They heard Victor coughing from his office. "Oh go, go, go."
Georgie could have swore at the two of them because Fabian decided to run down the very creaky stairs to his room whilst Nina slammed her tool kit shut. "Nice and quiet guys," she said sarcastically.
To make things worse Nina dropped her toolkit and if Victor wasn't awake before that he definitely was now. "Who's there?" he boomed.
"Oh no," Nina whispered, frustrated, as they quickly ran down the stairs. Georgie ran into the kitchen and hid behind the door but was amazed to see Nina just standing by the cellar door, crouching into the corner.
She waited with baited breath as Victor left his office to investigate. All of a sudden, she heard the loose stair collide with Victor and he moaned out in pain, heading back up the stairs to his office. She breathed out a sigh of relief and emerged from her hiding place, following Nina slowly back up the stairs.
They stopped at the sight of Trudy, holding, for some reason, a dustpan brush at the ready—she must have thought there were intruders. She quickly went into Victor's office. "Victor, sweetie, what have you done?"
"AARGH! What does it look like I've done?" he answered crossly. "And don't call me sweetie."
"Sorry sweetie," said Trudy. "Oh—sorry."
"I need to strap my ankle," said Victor. "I can't get into this blasted thing!" Georgie guessed he was talking about the first aid box.
"Well that's because I've locked it," Trudy said, as if it was the most obvious thing. Georgie and Nina continued to creep slowly up the stairs. "Another one of your excellent habits rubbing off on me...I'll go and get the key."
"Don't bother," Victor ordered. "There's a spare one somewhere...argh." They managed to creep to the top, watching from the landing as Victor opened the spare key cupboard. Georgie's breath hitched as she realised he would notice the spare attic key has gone missing. He turned to Trudy. "Do you have the spare attic key as well?"
"Of course not," she replied.
"Well somebody has," Victor said slowly. Nina grabbed Georgie and they silently ran to the door whilst Victor was locking the cupboard back up. Georgie looked back to see Nina peering her head around the door, listening still. "Those vermin are up to no good, Trudy. Somebody is going to pay for this. You mark my words."
Nina turned around, looking nervous, shutting the door quietly. "We definitely have to be more careful from now on," Georgie breathed. "That was close."
"Way too close," Nina agreed. "Come on, let's go to bed."
Georgie did so, thinking about how those hieroglyphics had led them to a key. This really is a real mystery.
Author's Note:
Thank you guys for your support :) your reviews are awesome and thank you OrrioNorrio for your message about this story, it really motivated me to finish this chapter.
I hope you all enjoyed, please leave a comment if you can :)