'Where have you been?' Hale asked as I came through the door. His shirt was wrinkled, the collar and a few buttons were undone. The others were watching the television but glanced my way when I came in. It was only Hale and Gabby that stared at me.
'Visiting people' I answered
'Seen the necklace?' Gabby asked
'Yes' I sighed 'It's even better up close'
'Up close?' Gabby said in mock shock 'And how did you get close to it Kat?'
'Gabby…'
'Seriously Kat, you can't let us in on anything now!'
'Fine' I snapped and threw my black passport across the room making it land on the coffee table. Everyone looked at it in awe. 'My grandmother is Lady Bishop of Geneva. My family have held that title for over 300 years, and my father was the first to say no'
'How do you explain this?' Simon asked pointing to the passport. I shrugged.
'I've had it since I was born. I have immunity in 5 countries when I use this'
'So why don't you use it?' He asked.
'I don't use it because it means I'm in her family business'
'And what is her business?' Hamish has asked
'Greed. Popularity. Gossip' I said slumping against the wall 'and now that I'm back, I'm the biggest story she could steal'
'Steal? So she's in th-'
'No' Gabby and I snapped
'She loves the attention and at her ball she's going to tell all her friends about her fantastic granddaughter'
'But she doesn't know you' Gabby said
'Stealing a story' I muttered
'So when's this ball?' Hale asked standing up
'Tomorrow night'
'And who's invited?'
'Myself and a guest'
'So do I have to dress formal? What's my cover?'
'Who said you were going?' I raised my eyebrow playfully at him
'Come on Kitty' Hale stood up 'Who else are you going to take?'
'Don't worry, I've called someone' I pushed myself off of the wall and went to my room, I was about to close the door when Hale said
'If it's Jamie, I'm going to kill him'
.
The Next Day
'Morning' I called, as I made my way into the front room.
'Morning Kat' Hamish and Angus chorused
'Where's everyone else?'
'They-' Angus was elbowed by his brother. I slammed my coffee mug on the table causing splashes of the hot liquid to tip over the edge.
'Stop with these secrets' I snapped
'You first' Both brothers said looking at me squarely. I slumped into one of the chairs
'If you all asked, I would tell'
'Families shouldn't have to ask Kitty' Hamish said getting up from the table to clear his plate
'I'm trying' My voice broke slightly, both brothers looked at each other and then at me 'I didn't want this to happen. I…I was only trying to fix things'
'Some things don't need fixing' Angus said
'I do' I admitted 'All of this' I pointed to the end of the table where photos of the necklace and the house were laid out 'this is something that went wrong with mom and I...I want to fix it' I looked at both of them 'I want to do something to make her proud'
'She's so proud of you Kat!' Hamish exclaimed
'You robbed the Henley!' Angus added
'Stole the Cleopatra emarald!'
'And saved a billion dollar corporation'
'At what price though?' I sighed 'The Angel was stolen, I was conned, Maggie was good, and I lost Hale'
'You haven't lost him' Angus stated
'Along the way I did, and subsequently I lost me'
'You're back though' Hamish said. I laughed lightly
'Eddie was right...I'm still running'
'Perhaps this ball thing would be a good idea for you, you know, do things old school' Angus smiled mischievously. I smiled back remembering the countless times these boys have dragged me into dangerous situations, majority of them including explosives.
'The others went to get there own invitations considering that you weren't going to share' Hamish folded his arms and leant against the kitchen counter, he was acting more like an older brother to me more and more recently.
'Nick' I stated 'He's my plus one'
'Why him?' They asked. I took a sip of my coffee.
'I knew Hale and Gabby would try and find a way in anyway' I shrugged. Just then my phone rang. 'Hello' I answered
Hello Katie
'Jamie?' I whispered. I looked at the brothers, their eyes widened. I put it on loudspeaker
Forgotten about me that quickly? Really Katie, I'm quite hurt
What do you want? I snapped
Well, word on the street is that you're talking to your grandmother again
So?
Be careful Katie. If I heard about this, then others have heard about this.
Others? What others?
Trust me Katie. The line went dead. I slumped back on the seat
'What does that mean?' Angus asked
'It means that the magicians are close' I looked at both of them 'And I'm running out of time'
