(Frank's POV)
I've been watching the Duke and Captain Forrester via CCTV for over an hour. So far, no-one suspicious has entered the school and I still haven't heard from Oscar…
Suddenly, my stomach rumbles. I groan as I pat my tummy gently. I'm so hungry. I didn't have any breakfast this morning.
This is why my stomach continues to rumble.
And why I can't fully concentrate on the four-way split screen on the computer monitor. Each screen shows different parts of the school – no activity in the foyer, the second screen shows Mrs King and Mr. Flatley showing Captain Forrester the gym. But where's the Duke? I look at the third screen and see Chief Agent Stark coming out of the boys' toilets and yelling at three MI9 agents. Figures. They thought the Duke would do his business and come out, instead he does his business and sneaks out the window. I use the fourth screen to see if I can find the Duke. Nothing. I pull out my phone and text Carrie to use the Hologram Projecting Earrings to project holographic versions of her, Rose and Oscar to search the school for the Duke. After I send the text, I glance at the monitor and spot Jenny. I bit my lower lip as I watch her roam the corridors.
"Gorgeous," I sigh. Leaning forward, I perch my chin upon my left chin as my eyes focus on this beautiful specimen of a woman.
I hardly recognised her when I bumped into her this morning. She's like a walking sexual fantasy come true. She's dressed as a hot teacher – a crisp white shirt that shows me a good enough amount of cleavage. I long to run my tongue on her smooth skin, between her full breasts. A snugly black pencil skirt that accentuates her figure and black five-inch heels that give her legs an ultra-sexy lilt when she walks. And on top of that, she's wearing glasses, which make her look extra intellectual. Her hair is pulled into an up-swept hairstyle that exposes her neck to me. I long to rake my tongue along the slope of it, to taste her sweet skin. My mouth waters just thinking about it. I wanted to say that she looked absolutely stunning, but I got nervous. However, I loved how she strutted off, though. I watched wordlessly as she sashayed away from me.
My phone buzzes. Probably Carrie saying that one of the holograms has found the Duke but I'm not interested in that. I'm more interested in the beautiful woman who's wiggling and waggling her hips as she walks the corridors like a model who walks down a catwalk. I take the pleasure in watching and observing her.
I gulp as I watch Jenny climb up a flight of stairs. I can't resist staring at her abundant behind. I really want to reach out and run my hands over the roundness of her tush.
My eyes never leave the monitor as Jenny approaches the door to the library. The way her clothes fit her curvaceous frame and the confidence in her walk makes me ache for her. After she enters the library, I shake my head, slowly bringing myself back to reality. I fish out my phone from my trouser pocket and I flip it open. I read the text that Carrie sent to me… nearly forty-five minutes ago.
Holographic Rose found the Duke in the library.
I immediately start typing to get CCTV coverage of the Duke (but mainly Jenny) inside the library. As soon as the camera in the library catches sight of the Duke and Jenny in the reading area, I resume to staring at Jenny while she and the Duke talk. I watch as she sits on a chair opposite the Duke with her legs crossed, showing her firm silky thigh. I do my best to suppress the arousal I'm experiencing just gazing at the amount of flesh she's displaying. Oh, how I wish those beautiful long long legs were wrapped around my waist, while her hot pouty lips kiss me as tenderly as she dares.
My eyes fly open (even though I don't remember closing them) and I realise that Jenny and the Duke are not in the library. I look at the first screen of the four-way split screen and see the two entering the foyer. As Jenny enters the foyer, for reasons unknown to her, she bows her head to the empty room. She lifts her head and turns to the Duke, looking confused. As she faces the Duke, a floppy-haired man grabs Jenny.
"Jen!" I leap to my feet as I watch the floppy-haired man places a piece of cloth over her mouth, immediately knocking her out – chloroform! I rush to the lab and desperately search the drawers until I find what I am looking for – a small blue bottle labelled SMELLING SALTS. I grab the bottle and I leave HQ.
I run down the corridor to the foyer where Jenny is lying unconscious on the floor. I rush to her side and I fling myself down next to her. I lift Jenny's head. I bring out the smelling salts from my pocket, remove the lid and I draw the bottle to her nose.
"Jenny! Jen, wake up!" I say.
She gives out a little groan.
As she opens her eyes, I pull the smelling salts away from her nose and I look down at her with relief.
"Welcome back," I say.
"W-what happened?" Jenny asks as she starts to sit up.
"I was about to go for an early lunch when I found you lying unconscious," I lie. "It's a good thing I always carry smelling salts with me."
Jenny tries to get up but I can see that she's a little bit shaky, so I help keep her steady by letting her lean on my arm as she stands up.
"I'm OK. Really," she says. Then she asks, "Where's the Duke?"
"The Duke?" I say.
"He was here when I… oh, no. Frank, they've taken him. They've taken the Duke!"
xxoOoxx
"This is a complete disaster!" Stark exclaims. "I mean how did the kidnapper know where the Duke was?"
While Stark continues to pace up and down HQ worrying about his career, I look back at the CCTV footage of the floppy-haired man who has not only kidnapped the Duke, but he also knocked Jenny out with chloroform. After he lays her on the floor, he turns to the Duke, giving me a clear view of the man's face. I pause the video and zoom in on the man's face. I type to find out who he is. After a minute, a mug shot shows up on the screen.
"His name is James Sowton," I say. "He doesn't seem to have any criminal record of any cautions or convictions."
"Well, when I get my hands on that little punk, I'm gonna write up a criminal record so big that no-one on Earth would hire him!" says Stark, taking a sit next to me. "How did he even know the Duke was here? No-one outside MI9, other than Captain Forrester and Lady Waverly knew about the Duke coming here. Not even… her."
"What, you mean the Cat?"
"Yeah. That credit-grabbing nuisance. You would've thought she had better things to do than try and solve our cases."
I glance at Stark. "Well, how about… on this one occasion… the Cat can… help us out?"
Stark glares at me. "I would rather work for the Grandmaster than ask the Cat for help."
SWOOSH!
Stark and I turn our swivel chairs around, and see Rose and Carrie entering HQ.
"Rose and I did wide scale search of the school to see if the kidnapper left any clues." Carrie holds up a Blackberry and a note. "All we found is the Duke's Blackberry and a note demanding the payment of £3 million to be dropped off at the east side entrance of St Pancras railway station."
"How is Jenny?" Rose asks me.
"She's fine. A bit shaky, though," I say. "She's resting in Mrs King's office."
"Still no word from Oscar?"
Before I can answer, the elevator doors parted and Oscar enters HQ.
"Oscar, you're back!" I say, standing up. "Why didn't you call?"
"Sorry, Frank," says Oscar. "My communicator was running low. So, what's happened here?"
"Well, the Duke has been kidnapped –" Carrie starts.
"Never mind that!" Stark rudely intervenes as he stands up. "What did you find out at the Forrester's?"
"Well, you're not gonna believe this, but I know who's been sending those letters to Captain Forrester and Lady Waverly," says Oscar.
"Who?" I ask.
"It's…" says Oscar. A tiny pause. "It's the Duke."
We stare at him. "The Duke?"
There's something none of us saw coming.
"Oscar, are you sure? This is Nigel Forrester, the 9th Duke of Lessex you're talking about," says Rose, sounding suspicious.
"Rose, I'm one hundred percent certain it's the Duke," says Oscar. "After I searched the servants' quarters of the Forrester household, I decided to search the Duke's bedroom, where I found this in his drawer." Oscar pulls out a small plastic bag that contains several gilled mushrooms.
"What are those?" Carrie asks.
"Hebeloma crustuliniforme," says Rose, taking the bag from Oscar.
"What?"
"Hebeloma crustuliniforme, commonly known as poison pie or fairy cakes, is a gilled mushroom of the genus Hebeloma that can be found in Europe and North America. They are moderately poisonous, the symptoms being those of a severe gastrointestinal nature, namely vomiting, diarrhoea and colicky abdominal pain several hours after consumption."
"So, the Duke poisoned his mother with those mushrooms?" I ask.
"That's not all." Oscar pulls out a magazine from his trouser pocket. He opens it and shows us a page from the magazine with several letters cut out. "He also wrote the letters."
"So, what you're trying to tell us, Agent Cole, is that not only did Nigel Forrester, the 9th Duke of Lessex made and sent those demand letters to his own parents, but he also poisoned – mildly poisoned – his own mother?" says Stark.
Oscar nods his head. "Yeah."
"But why?" says Carrie.
"When we find the Duke, we'll know why," I say.
"Don't you mean if, Frank?" Stark turns to me. "We don't even know where he is."
Suddenly, the computer starts beeping. I turn to it to see a giant red dot blinking on the screen.
"That can't be right," I say as I sit at the computers and I start typing to find out what's happening. After a few seconds, a picture of the Duke shows up on the screen. "No way."
"What is it, Frank?" Oscar asks.
I stand up and turn to the others. "We've got a location of the Duke. Apparently, he's in Sydenham Hill Wood in Southwark."
"How did we get a location? I've got his phone," says Carrie, who is just as confused as I am.
"Who cares how we got a location? We now know where he is," says Stark. "So let's get going."
"I'll stay behind and monitor any movement the Duke makes," I say.
Nodding in agreement, Rose, Oscar, Carrie and Stark enter the elevator and leave HQ, while I settle at the computers and watch the monitor of the Duke's position.
(Jenny's POV)
I still feel hazy as I walk along the corridor to come out of the school but the cold air revives me. I wiggle across the playground to the school gates. I pull out my mobile and speed dial Zeke.
Zeke answers with concern. "Jen, are you all right?! I saw what happened on CCTV!"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Zeke," I say. "But as soon as I get my hands on that floppy-haired bastard, I'm gonna punch his lights out! Anyway, did you get a location on the Duke?"
"Yeah. He, along with the 'floppy-haired bastard' that the Duke left with is at Sydenham Hill Wood in Southwark. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Of course I do. Don't worry, Zeke, I've got this. Now, the question is how am I gonna get there?"
There's a loud roar. I turn to the street, and there he is – Kenzie Simms, the Knight in Shining Leather. He stops his motorcycle in front of me and as he turns off the engine, he flashes me his trademark smile that reveal his two deep dimples on his narrow cheeks.
"Hey!" I call, waving.
"Your transportation for the day," says Zeke. "He also has your gadgets, too. All the best."
"Thanks, Z." I hang up and bring out my wristwatch communicator from my pocket while putting my phone away. Flipping the communicator, I press the blue button and change into my catsuit. "Let's rock and roll." Kenzie takes off his helmet and hands it to me. "What about you?"
"You need it more than I do," says Kenzie, winking at me.
I feel my cheeks beginning to burn as I take the helmet. I quickly put it on and climb onto the motorcycle.
"Where to, milady?" Kenzie asks.
"Sydenham Hill Wood, Southwark," I say.
Kenzie nods his head and turns his motorcycle on. I wrap my arms tightly around Kenzie's waist as we take off to Sydenham Hill Wood.
xxoOoxx
It's nearly an hour later when Kenzie pulls up to a quiet corner of a train station called Sydenham Hill railway station, whose footbridge leads into Sydenham Hill Wood. "Here we are," he says, turning off the engine.
"Thanks, Kenzie," I say, climbing off the motorcycle and taking the helmet off.
"Now, gadgets." He pulls out three items from the inside of his leather jacket. He holds up a silver belt with a black cat head-shape buckle. "First, we have the Net Throwing Extendable Belt Buckle. This gadget is a belt buckle that can shoot out a net to capture a target. It's effective at twenty yards. Next" – he holds up a pair of black domino-shaped goggles – "Thermal Vision Cat-Goggles – infrared lenses to see thermal output in low light or non-lit situations. Reason for the goggles? Because of this –" Kenzie holds up a can of hairspray, "the Smoke Screen Hairspray. It can create a thick cloud of smoke."
"Excellent," I say, handing the helmet over to Kenzie and taking the three gadgets. "See you in a few, yeah?" I flip open the wristwatch communicator. "Activate cloaking device."
After my body becomes invisible, I head for the entrance across the footbridge. I follow the Green Chain waymarker posts ahead and I turn left, going down the steps. I carry on straight ahead along an old railway track, passing an old railway tunnel. I go up some steps and head left until I reach the Sydenham Hill Wood information panel. After I turn left at the information panel, I follow a path and I go down the steps. I carry on until I reach a ruined monastery in the midst of the woods that's surrounded by brambles and ivy.
But my admiration of the folly is short-lived because nearby, by some rockery, is the Duke, the floppy-haired man and a third person. A blond-haired, blue-eyed cutie with a full pout, who looks about the same age as the Duke but about a foot taller. He's sporting a black leather jacket over a light grey tee, dark denim jeans and black Converse shoes.
"It won't be long now," says the blond boy. "As soon as Captain Forrester pays up, we can put the second part of our plan into action!"
"That's what you think!" I whisper as I swap my regular domino mask with the Thermal Vision Cat-Goggles and placing the Net Throwing Extendable Belt Buckle onto the buckle of my utility belt. Shaking the Smoke Screen Hairspray, I remove the lid and I spray. A thick cloud of white smoke dispenses itself from the nozzle of the Hairspray and engulfs itself around the three boys.
"What the hell?!" the blond boy splutters.
"What's going on?!" the Duke coughs.
Turning on the Thermal Vision Cat-Goggles, I enter the cloud of smoke. Through the thermogram of the Cat-Goggles are the three boys staggering around the rockery like blind men in an orgy. The plan is simple: take out Blondie and his assistant, Hippy Boy, save the Duke and make MI9 foolish… again. In the words of John 'Hannibal' Smith from the A-Team movie: 'I love it when a plan comes together'.
Nodding my head, I use my grace and agility to jump backwards into a tree and I quickly push myself off of it, reaching higher distances from the floor, giving her a certain aerial advantage over the kidnappers. In conjunction with the aerial superiority with the ability that I have, I execute this attack by jumping into the air with a forward flip, coming down and landing on top of the floppy-haired boy with my falling heel.
"Uuuh…" he mumbles.
"That's for knocking me out with chloroform, you douche," I say, staring down at the floppy-haired boy's twitchy and semi-unconscious body.
"Jamie? Jamie, are you OK?" the blond boy calls.
"And you're next, Blondie!" I say, charging towards the blond boy. When I get close to him, my hand balls into a fist and I deliver a powerful punch to the blond boy's mid-section.
"GL… GLORBB…!" he gaggles.
I follow up by delivering a fierce uppercut to his chin, which sends him flying.
"GYAAW!" he screams as he lands in some bushes by the folly.
The blond boy shakes his head as he staggers to his feet, but I press a small button on top of the Net Throwing Belt Buckle. The Buckle opens and a net shoots out of it, capturing the blond boy, causing him to fall back into the bushes.
"And that's the end of that," I say, firmly placing my hands on my hips.
A gentle breeze comes in and starts to blow the white smoke away. I swap the Cat-Goggles for the domino mask and I deactivate the cloaking device. I walk out of the smoke to tie the blond boy with the floppy-haired boy, when I immediately stop in my tracks. I can't believe what I am seeing – the Duke is freeing the blond boy from the net!
"Curtis, are you OK?" the Duke asks the blond boy, tossing the net aside and pulling the boy to his feet.
"I-I think so," says Curtis. "I took a helluva beating from… I don't know who. But I'm aching all over."
"Don't worry; I've got something for that."
Then the unthinkable happens.
The Duke pulls Curtis' face to his…
and then…
and then…
they kiss!?
"What – the – fuck?!" I exclaim, not believing what my eyes are seeing.
The Duke and Curtis pull away from each other and stare at me, their faces going bright red with embarrassment.
"The Cat!" says the Duke. "What are you doing here?!"
"Never you bloody mind that!" I shout. "I want to know what the hell is going on here! You can't have developed Stockholm syndrome already. You were only kidnapped for two hours! Now how about explaining to me why you're kissing your captor?!"
The Duke and Curtis sit in an uncomfortable silence, exchanging embarrassed glances.
"Tell me why!" I demand.
"OK, OK!" says Curtis, holding his hands up. He looks at the Duke, who nods his head at him and he looks at me. "Nigel… Nigel and I planned the 'kidnapping'," – Curtis makes two quote marks with his fingers.
"Wha-a-at?!" I am completely dumbfounded. I cover my face with my hand. "Wa-a-ait, wait-wait-wait. Let me just get this straight: you and the Duke, the two of you, the 9th Duke of Lessex and the… whatever, the two of you planned this 'kidnapping'?"
The boys look down at the ground, going all pink, nodding their heads.
"OK…" I say slowly. I sigh as I cross my arms over my chest. "My next question is simply why? Why would you plan a 'kidnapping' that will not only waste my time, but also MI9's time? Huh? Go on, tell me. Enlighten me."
The Duke takes a deep breath and sighs. "It's hard to explain… Curtis and I… are a couple."
"A-A couple?" I stare at the Duke.
I've gone from dumbfounded to bewilderment.
"Yeah," says the Duke. "We met two years ago in September in Harrow School. Curtis transferred from Winchester College and I was picked to show him around. Curtis and I made instant chemistry and soon developed a friendship. Over the months, we continue to grow closer and then in February, on Valentine's Day… I admitted my feelings to Curtis."
"Awww," I say, placing my hands on my chest. "That's so sweet. And did you confess your feelings back, Curtis?"
"Actually, no," he says. "After Nige confessed, I told him that I liked him too… but only as a friend. We remained friends until the last day of term in July when I realized my feelings for Nige. It was then that we shared our first kiss and after we came back from the holidays, we started dating, and we have been ever since."
"Sooo what seems to be the problem?" I ask.
"It's… It's my dad," says the Duke. "He doesn't know that I'm gay… or that I have a boyfriend."
"Ah. So he's one of those really fierce old-fashioned kinds of father dad?"
"Yep. He's that old-fashioned that when I leave Harrow this year, he wants me to marry a daughter of an MP."
"WHAT!? Is he… Is he serious?!"
"Yep. Once his mind is set on something, he's not gonna let go."
"When Nigel told me what happened, he instantly broke down in tears saying how he didn't want to marry someone of his dad's choosing," says Curtis.
"That's when you two decided to plan a kidnapping?" I ask.
The boys nod their heads.
"I sent anonymous letters to my parents demanding the sum of £2 million or £3 million," says the Duke.
"And I obtained some mushrooms for Nigel to incapacitate his mum, so everyone would think that the 'kidnapper' poisoned the wrong person," says Curtis.
"And where did you get the mushrooms from?" I ask.
"Uhh…"
I look over my shoulder to see the floppy-haired boy staggering to his feet.
"Oh… Christ did that hurt!" he says.
I turn to the Duke and Curtis, and I jerk my head towards the floppy-haired boy. To which the boys nod their heads in response.
"Jamie acquired the mushrooms from some friends of his in Camden," says Curtis.
"So he knows about you two?" I ask.
"Yes," Curtis replies. "And when I told him about the arranged marriage and our kidnapping plan, Jamie said that he wanted to help… as well as get a ten percent cut on the money."
"Speaking of money, what would have happened in Captain Forrester paid up? Before I attacked, I heard that when the Captain pays, the second part of the plan would come into action. So, what was the second part of the plan?"
"Well… after my father pays the ransom and drops the money at St Pancras railway station, Jamie will collect the money and will leave a note mapping my whereabouts. After my father and I are reunited, we'll carry on as normal until the day of my arranged marriage, when as I get ready, I'll feign a headache and when my servants get me some paracetamol, that's when I'll make my getaway. I'll meet Curtis here in Sydenham Hill Wood and together we'll escape to Paris by ferry," the Duke explains.
I raise my eyebrows at how well thought-out he planned this. Or so he thought…
"Wow…" I start, "that seems like quite a plan. No flaw in it whatsoever. I mean, it's not like Captain Forrester will place a tracker in the briefcase with the money so he can follow Jamie to the place where you're hiding. Or, or since he's a Royal as well as captain of the Royal Navy, he's not gonna call on his very powerful friends in the Secret Service to track the both of you down."
"Ah," says the Duke. "Maybe we should have looked into that."
"Come on, guys. The only way everyone can live happily ever after is if you confess to your dad. The kidnapping, the fact that you're gay – everything."
"But –"
"Look, I know your parents, particularly your dad, will be furiously pissed off about this, but I know that deep down inside they love you and, in time, they'll accept you."
"Hmmmm…" the Duke hums worryingly.
"Don't worry, Nige," says Curtis, taking the Duke's hand. "I'll be there to support you."
"Same goes for me," says Jamie, coming up beside me.
The Duke looks at Jamie, then me and finally Curtis, into his eyes, his persuasive and very irresistible smile. "Well… all right."
"Great!" I say, clapping my hands together.
My communicator beeps. I flip it open and I read the text.
MI9 coming your way – K
"Well, looks like I'm done here," I say, closing the communicator. I go up to the Duke and pull him into a hug (and discreetly taking the cat-tracer from his jacket pocket!). "Good luck with your dad, Your Royal Highness." I turn to Curtis. "Sorry for the arse-whooping." I turn to Jamie. "Ditto about... you know."
"S'alright," says Jamie.
"No worries," says Curtis.
I hear the sound of heavy footsteps and rustled bushes getting nearer and nearer.
"Gotta go. See you all later, guys!" I hurry away from the folly, taking a path to the right of the folly. I carry on down the path and I turn right when I reach a clearing of trees. I follow the steps back down to the footbridge. I cross the footbridge to the entrance, where Kenzie is waiting for me, his motorcycle roaring. I pile onto his motorcycle and we take off.
As we ride back to St Hope's, I hear an almighty yell.
"ARGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The person's roar is so loud that the birds fly into the air in terror and people stop dead in their tracks all over the street and probably in the next town, wincing and putting their hands over their ears.
"DAMN YOU, CA-A-A-A-AT!"
I smile to myself. I love you too, Starky.
"What the hell is that?!" Kenzie yells over the roar of his motorcycle.
"That, Kenzie, is my good friend Chief Agent Horatio Stark of MI9 throwing the world's biggest tantrum!" I yell back.
God, I love pissing off MI9, particularly Stark.
(Frank's POV)
I decided that I'll check up on Jenny to see how she is doing… as I am mopping up sick all over the canteen at Mrs King's request. While cleaning up, my mobile beeps. I pull out my phone and I read the text from Carrie.
We've got the Duke. We'll be back soon.
Smiling to myself and nodding my head, I pocket my phone and I go back to cleaning the sick on the floor… and the wall… and, oddly, the ceiling.
After an hour of cleaning up sick, I wander down the corridor to Mrs King's office to see Jenny. I bring some Cadbury's Dairy Milk because they're her favourite. As I round the corner, I see Chief Agent Stark coming down the corridor and he is in a very foul mood. I take a step to the side and I avoid looking Stark in the eye. Though, from the corner of my eye, I can see that the Duke is with Stark. Along with the floppy-haired boy (James Sowton) who chloroformed Jenny and a third person with blond hair. After the four go past me, I let out a sigh. I look in the opposite direction of which Stark and the three boys came and see Rose, Oscar and Carrie at the end of the corridor, by the staircase. I go over to them to find out what happened.
"Why does Stark look like he's ready to kill someone?" I ask them.
"Only one person could make Stark that extremely angry," says Oscar.
"The Cat?"
"You won the prize," Rose replies dryly. "She must have placed a tracker on the Duke. That's why it was easier for us to locate him."
"Y'know, I wouldn't normally agree with what Stark says, but the Cat can be a blank blank blankety blank, the blanking blanker," says Carrie.
I raise my eyebrows at Carrie.
"Stark said some pretty amazing words about the Cat," she says.
"So, other than the Cat taking all the credit… again, what happened?" I ask.
"Well, on the car ride back, the Duke explained that the reason he planned the kidnapping was because he wanted to be with his boyfriend…" says Oscar.
"Hold up, wait a minute…" I cut in. "His boyfriend? You mean…?"
"Yeah. The Duke… is gay," Rose states. "He's being seeing a boy called Curtis Hawes for over two years."
"You just saw him. He's the blond one," says Carrie.
"Ah. I was wondering who that person was," I say. "Anyway, carry on, Oscar."
"The Duke and Curtis is just one of the reasons why they planned the kidnapping. The other reason is because of Captain Forrester, the Duke's dad. Apparently, he wants the Duke to marry a daughter of an MP."
"An arranged marriage? In this day and age? Well, now I completely understand why the Duke did this. But what about the floppy-haired boy that was with the Duke and Curtis? James Sowton?"
"You mean Jamie? He's friends with Curtis. He provided the Duke with those mushrooms to temporary disable Lady Imogen," says Carrie.
"I see. So what happens now?"
"Well, Stark is taking the Duke, Curtis and Jamie to Mrs King's office where Captain Forrester is, where the Duke will confess to what he did and why," says Oscar.
"Mrs King's office? Isn't that where Jenny is resting?" I ask.
Before anyone can answer, a familiar voice causes me to jump.
"Is this a private party or can anyone come?"
Even before I see her, my heart flutters to my throat. A second later Jenny Brownstone comes up beside me.
"Hi. Why aren't you three in class?" she asks Rose, Oscar and Carrie.
"Um, uh, I…" the three try to think of something to say.
"They were at the library doing research for a History project," I reply for them.
"With no notes?" Jenny's eyes fall on the young spies' empty hands and she adds, "And no books?"
"Uh… well umm…" I try to think of something to say but I see a smile flicker around Jenny's mouth.
"You should count yourselves lucky that I'm such a laid-back, tolerant teacher," says Jenny. "Now, go on, back to your classes."
Rose, Oscar and Carrie walk past Jenny and me and hurry down the corridor to their classes.
"It's good to see you up and about," I say. "How're you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking," says Jenny.
"I, er, I got you some chocolate." I hand her the Dairy Milk bar.
"Aw, thanks, Frank!"
"It's the least I can do." I feel my face turn red, but I recover quickly.
"Any news on the Duke's kidnapping?" Jenny asks, while opening the wrapper and nibbling on the chocolate.
"Yeah. I heard Mrs King tell Captain Forrester that MI9 have found the Duke. I even saw the Duke with an MI9 agent walk by me about five minutes ago."
"Thank God he's OK!" She snaps off a couple of pieces of chocolate and offers them to me, but I decline. Shrugging her shoulders, she eats the pieces. "But who would wanna do such a terrible thing?"
I wanted to tell Jenny that it was the Duke who 'kidnapped' himself to escape from an arranged marriage and be with his boyfriend, but if she starts asking questions, that's the end of my MI9 career.
Instead, I shrug my shoulders and say, "I don't know, Jen. There are some people who would do anything for money."
"Mmm." She finishes eating her chocolate bar absent-mindedly and places the empty wrapper in her bag. She glances away and sighs.
"Jen? Is everything alright?" I ask.
She shakes her head. "No. No, everything is not alright." She turns to face me. "Frank, there's something I have to tell you."
I nod. "OK."
"Uh… I don't know how to say this. I'm not very good at this, but uh… I want you to know that… I… I…"
Heat rushes to my face. I swallow – is this what I think this is?
"Um… Frank… I… I-I… l-l-l-li–"
"Jenny? Jenny, is that you?"
Oh, no! Not now, Mrs King!
"There you are! I've been looking for you," says Mrs King, walking through the door. Her eyes flicker from me to Jenny. "What's going on here?"
"It's nothing, Aunt 'Mione. Frank and I were just talking," says Jenny. "Anyway, you wanted me for something…?"
"Ah, yes. Captain Forrester and the Duke are about to leave and I wanted you to see them off. Also, the Duke says that he has something to tell you."
"Oh. OK, then."
Mrs King leads the disappointed Jenny down the corridor, leaving me to contemplate what just happened. Jenny was about to confess her feelings to me… that is until Mrs King came and intervened. I let out a sigh and I wander down the corridor. We'll confess our feelings to each other, Jen. Not today, but soon…
(Jenny's POV)
"I'm really glad that you and your dad worked it all out," I say as we come out of the school and into the playground.
"Yeah, so am I. Also, Curtis, Jamie and I would like to apologise for the trouble we've caused," says the Duke.
"Yeah. Sorry, Miss Brownstone," says Curtis.
"Soz," says Jamie.
"Hey, that's OK. It actually kinda explains why you looked so nervous," I say. Move over Angelina Jolie, there's a new actress in town. I can't believe no-one suspects a thing! The Duke, Curtis or Jamie don't know what I do know, and as for Frank telling me that MI9 (per-lease!) found the Duke; my fake – and very natural – surprise acting sprang into action. And speaking of Frank, I can't believe I was gonna confess my feelings to him! The Duke's story about him confessing to Curtis inspired me to do the same… only for Aunt Hermione to come and spoil it. Don't worry, Frank, you'll get my confession – soon…
"Jen?"
I totally forgot that I'm surrounded by people. "Sorry about that. I got distracted there. Anyway, I think you and Curtis make a great couple, You Royal Highness!"
"Don't we just?" says Curtis, putting his arm around the Duke.
"Nigel! It's time to go!" Captain Forrester calls.
"Coming, Dad!" the Duke replies. "See you, Jen."
He, Curtis and Jamie towards the limo and they climb in.
"Take care!" I wave. "Come back anytime… minus the fake kidnapping."
Just when the driver shuts the limo door, the Duke climbs out and rushes towards me.
"Nigel, is something wrong?" I ask.
"I… I just wanted to say thank you," he says.
"Thank you? For what?"
"For convincing me to not through with my plan and to talk to my dad."
There's a long silence as I stare at the Duke. What the hell does he mean by…? Oh, God, no. He can't…? He doesn't…? The Duke smiles sheepishly at me. My eyes widen. Oh, crap. He knows.
"How did… when… I mean…" My voice trails off and the Duke smiles.
"When you called me Your Royal Highness, your voice sounded… familiar," he says. "But don't worry –" he taps his nose with his fingertip and winks at me – "your secret's safe with me."
I stare at the Duke for a moment, then I smile. "Thank you."
The Duke runs back to the limo and climbs in. After the driver shuts the door, the Duke winds the window down and waves at me. I wave back as the limo takes off.
"Wow," I sigh, placing my free hand on my hip and musing over what just happened. I mean who've thunk it? Someone other than Zeke and Kenzie knows about my identity – and he's not gonna tell! "Thanks, Nigel," I murmur.
"Jenny?" Aunt Hermione approaches me. "You OK?"
I smile and nod. "Peachy-keen."
"Come on, let's go back inside. I don't know about you, but I could do with a cup of coffee or two after the day we've had."
"Agreed."
I link my arm with Aunt Hermione's and we walk into school.
I sigh with content at the end of another typical day at St Hope's…