The Underground City by Anne Forbes Read Free Book Online Page B

smiled. “Everyone is happy about it and it means that we’ll still be able to raise a sizeable amount for Children’s Aid.”
    “Which theatre is it going to be in?” asked Neil, mindful of what his mother had said. “I mean, all the big theatres have their own shows and
we
couldn’t think of anywhere else big enough.”
    “We approached the Church of Scotland, Neil, and they have given us permission to use the Assembly Hall.”
    “The Assembly Hall?”
    “You know, that enormous building that sits at the top of the Mound. They wouldn’t normally have allowed us to put on a pantomime there but it’s for charity and a very good cause!”
    “When will the next rehearsal be?” asked Clara.
    “Saturday evening, perhaps. We don’t usually have them at the weekend, I know, but we’ve missed a lot of rehearsal time because of the fire. The biggest job is going to be moving all theprops and costumes from The King’s Theatre to the Assembly Hall.”
    “Were any of them damaged by the fire?” asked Mrs MacLean, who had Mischief on her lap.
    “Some of the scenery was damaged, that’s all. It’s being replaced and they say it’ll be ready in time for the opening night.”
    Neil jerked his head at Clara and, taking the hint, she followed him to the kitchen where he made himself a warm drink. Kitor was perched on the back of one of the kitchen chairs but fluttered to Clara’s shoulder when she entered the room.
    “Gosh, this is good,” Neil muttered, warming his hands round the mug. “It’s freezing outside!”
    “How was Mary King’s Close?” asked Clara. “I bet you wore your firestone!”
    “Yeah,” grinned Neil. “I almost wish I hadn’t now. I’ve bags to tell you!”
    “Well,” asked Clara, “did you see any ghosts?”
    “Dozens!” Neil said, and laughed at the disbelief on Clara’s face. “I did really!”
    “What … what did they look like?” Clara asked in alarm. “Did they scare you?”
    “They did, actually,” admitted Neil. “They looked awful. Sort of empty eyes, you know.”
    “Did they know you could see them?”
    “Yeah, that was the problem really …”
    “Problem?” croaked Kitor.
    Neil nodded and starting from the beginning, told them everything that had happened in the Close.
    “So you saw Mary King herself. What was she like?”
    “Quite old, I think. She wore a sort of bonnet on her head and was quite well-dressed. You know, long skirt, blouse and a kind of thick shawl affair. I’m sure she wrote the message, ‘cosshe was pointing to it when it appeared.”
    “What did it say again?”
    “Neil. We need your help. Come again. Mary King.”
    “You’re not going to go back, though, are you?” queried Kitor anxiously.
    “I might. Just to see what they want.”
    “They can hurt you, Neil. Look what the ghosts did to this Graham Flint that you told us about.”
    “There was a reason for that, though. He’d made a fool out of me and they didn’t like it.”
    “It must have scared him though!”
    “Scared him! It scared him stupid!” Neil grinned. “I told you, he was howling like a baby!”
    Clara looked dubious. “You’re having me on, aren’t you? Graham! Crying?” she said.
    Kitor flapped his wings, ruffling Clara’s long, brown hair. “You shouldn’t have worn your firestone,” the crow said. “It was asking for trouble and now look what has happened! You’re involved with ghosts!”
    “Kitor’s right, you know,” Clara said. “What on earth do they want to see you for? You don’t know their motives. They could be trying to trap you.”
    Neil shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he said. “They stuck up for me, after all. If Graham hadn’t tried to make a fool of me they’d never have shoved him into a wall or frozen him half to death!”
    “I wish the MacArthurs were here,” sighed Clara. “We could have asked Hamish or Archie what to do.”
    “Why not ask your father or Sir James?” suggested Kitor reasonably.
    Neil