Mr Arthurs lead the group up the stairs at the John Rylands
Library and stopped on the landing. Sophie already felt like
she was in another world, as some of the others talked of
Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. She had been taken back
in time, to ancient cathedrals, the palaces of old kings.
Instead of being watched by CCTV cameras there were
carved faces and stern-looking statues.
“It’s not as old as you might think,” said Mr Arthurs.
“Victorian, in fact. Just over a hundred years really.” That
seemed quite old enough to Sophie. “And while it’s called
John Rylands, the real power behind it was his wife, who
went by the fabulous name Enriqueta Augustina.”
“Yeah, go girl,” came a voice from the back of the group.
“Well quite,” said Mr Arthurs. “Although a large inheritance
might have had something to do with it. Anyway, have a look
round, see if you can find any books you know, look out for
some of the interesting decoration, complete the worksheet
you’ve been given. Remember, it’s a working library, so
behave just as you would in the school library. Except for
you Mo; you should be quiet and respectful.”
“Ah man, you’re taking the piss.”
“Indeed I am. But please, I think we’d all appreciate it. Okay,
off you go. Any questions, I’ll come round and catch up with
you.”
Sophie gazed in wonder at the intricate stonework as they
made their way through the library. Cabinets full of ancient
books of secrets. She still wished they’d gone to Jodrell
Bank instead, but she couldn’t help but be swept away with
the mysterious surroundings. She saw Mo across the room,
pestering the people sat at the desks in the alcoves and she
was determined to stay out of his way. She wasn’t sure
where Tom had got to either. Then Kaz caught her eye with a
wave.
Kaz was one of those girls everyone got on with. She had a
smile that was infectious and a way of making you feel like
the most important person in the room when she spoke to
you. Somehow she had a way of being liked by teachers as
well while at the same time no one could accuse her of being
a goody-two-shoes, so a wave from Kaz and Sophie was
intrigued.
“Mr Arthurs has a book here somewhere, you know that?”
Sophie actually didn’t have a clue what Kaz was on about.
“Yeah, he wrote it years ago, apparently it’s here
somewhere.”
“What’s it about?”
“History and legends and stuff. He was starting to tell me
about it, a while ago, and then decided not to. Just left juicy
hints for me to follow. I think he was a bit embarrassed,
actually.
“So how do you know it’s here?”
“This is all the myths bit, innit? You know they never put stuff
alphabetically in libraries, cos that’d be too simple.”
“It’s by subject.”
“That’s subjective.”
“I don’t know what that means, but anyway.”
“It means, why are all these books about King Arthur here in
the myths section rather than in the history section.”
“Maybe because King Arthur is a myth.”
“Okay then.” Kaz gave Sophie a sceptical look that Sophie
took to mean Kaz thought Sophie was the gullible one, but
didn’t rise to the bait. Sophie knew how to find books in a
library, that was the main thing.
“I meant, how do you know Mr Arthurs book is here?”
“The catalogue is all on line; I checked last night.”
“Very clever. What’s it called?”
“The Sword in the Saucer, I think.”
“And it should be here?” Sophie started running a finger
along the shelves.
“This is where it said.” So many of these books looked as
though they hadn’t been read in years, maybe never, and
they definitely looked older than Sophie. Even older than Mr
Arthurs; the heavy brown covers with gold lettering, the little
stickers taped to the edges. Sophie didn’t really get how
there could be so many books on a king who wasn’t even
real. She crouched down and started to go through the
bottom shelf, taking the books one by one, fingering the
spines, when suddenly she dislodged one of the books which
seemed to trip a switch and the bookcase lurched towards
her. Before she could even think what had happened, it
clicked shut again as a shadow fell and she looked up.
“Have you found it?”
“Sorry?”
“What you’re looking for.” They couldn’t see Mr Arthurs
expression at first, his face silhouetted against the window,
but as they scrambled to their feet they were reassured he
didn’t appear angry, at least. “Come on, we’re all heading for
the café.”
Kaz gave Sophie a look as they headed down but didn’t say
anything until she noticed Mr Arthurs was out of earshot.
“Did you notice? He shut it with his foot. Where do you think
it went?”
“Are you sure? Are you sure it wasn’t just a cupboard?”
“Now Sophie, who used a secret switch to hide a secret door
just for somewhere to store sellotape and polish? No, I bet is
was a passageway.”
“Where to?”
“Who knows. But I think we should find out.”
“You’re turning in to Tom.”
“He’d be up for it.”
“Where is he?”
“What do you think Mr Arthurs is trying to hide?”
“Maybe he’s the guardian of king Arthur’s secret tomb
patrolling earth to protect it from meddling kids.”
Kaz took a moment to decide whether or not Sophie was
being serious and decided she wasn’t. Sophie suspected
that Kaz thought this might actually be a possibility but was
too embarrassed to admit it. She looked away out of the
huge glass windows to see Tom sat against the wall opposite,
next to a man under a sleeping bag and with a bettered
paper cup between them. They seemed to be getting on
famously and Sophie felt a strange pang of jealousy.
Time was getting on. Mr Arthurs wrapped up the trip by
checking everyone had completed the worksheet and
gathered together those who were getting a lift back to the
school. Sophie made her way out to head in the direction of
her Dad’s office and a nearby coffeeshop to wait. She
stopped by Tom and his new friend.
“Sophie, meet Ethan. Ethan, this is Sophie.”
“Good to know you Sophie.”
“So how do you guys know each other?” If there was one
thing Sophie could do, it was small talk.
“We don’t yet, do we Tom?”
“Oh, you tease.”
“Tom here has been keeping me company for the past few
days.”
“Oh.” Sophie didn’t think this explained anything.
“It’s been quite nice. Not many people stop and chat when
you’re sat out on the streets.”
“You’re a beggar?”
Ethan looked down, shrank in to his sleeping bag. “No,” he
said quietly.
“He doesn’t beg. He takes help if it’s offered. It doesn’t have
to be money. But that’s the only thing most people can think
of. Or can be bothered with.”
“You’re homeless?”
“Yes.” Ethan wanted the road to swallow him up. If being
ignored was tough, it at least wasn’t as mortifying as Sophie’s
examination. “It’s complicated.”
“His Mum and Dad fell out with him.”
“What did he do?”
“Sophie!” Tom’s tone was so sharp that she suddenly
realised she’d crossed a line. “You have no idea what’s
happened to Ethan and you’re about to say something you’ll
regret when you hear the full story.”
“It’s okay Tom. You don’t have to argue over me.
“I’m sorry Ethan. Any friend of Tom, as they say. I’m glad
you’ve got on.”
“He’s been very useful. He’s even raised my takings.”
“A bit like having a pet dog?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Ethan laughed with a look to Tom. Sophie
smiled; it was always good to find someone she could take
the piss out of Tom with. Maybe they’d all end up friends.
Tom scrambled to his feet. “I should be going.”
Ethan looked at him. “Home?”
“Yeah,” said Tom before realising, and Ethan left an
uncomfortable pause before smiling.
“Ha. Look at you. I’ve got a bed, hostel opens at eight, just
gonna wait here for a bit.”
“You’ll be okay.”
“Sure.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Don’t be skiving off school.”
“It’s Saturday tomorrow.”
“Ah. I lose track. Then if you’ve nothing better to do.”
“I can do the washing up on Sunday.”
Tom and Sophie headed up Deansgate as the office crowds
were starting to emerge.
“Nice to see you’ve made a new friend.”
“He plays guitar. We’re going to start a band together.”
“Can you play anything?”
“I’m gonna learn the drums.”
Suddenly they heard a screech behind them and they both
swirled round to see a van pulled up next to Ethan. Four
military-type men fall out and onto Ethan, grabbing him and
bundling him into the back. He only had time to yell out in
surprise as the doors slammed shut on him. Both Tom and
Sophie ran as fast as they could but by the time they’d
reached his abandoned sleeping bag and guitar the van had
vanished off a side street out of town.
*
Chapter 3 coming soon