The characters, and several sentences, belong to Eoin Colfer.



Speculation

... Holly's elfin features wore a strange expression . Somewhere between embarrassment and delight.

"You did a good thing here. Not one penny of profit," she quoted and reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

He basked in her pleasure and approbation, although he wondered how long they would last. His mobile rang, breaking the mood. Seeing the caller I.D., he moved away to take the call in private.

"Artemis?" Mulch was gloating. "Cousin Nord's construction crew will start tomorrow and we've already taken hundreds of advance holiday bookings. We're going to make a mint out of this, Arty boy!"


A note to American and Canadian readers, although I'm sure you've worked it out: estate agents are what you call realtors, a mobile phone is a cell phone.