These Dark Wings by John Owen Theobald Read Free Book Online Page A

long.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘They got rid of all the animals at the zoo. Evacuated, or...’ He runs a thumb across his throat in a sickening gesture. ‘Can’t feed ’em. Same at the aquarium. Drained the whole thing, shot the manatees. You know, sea cows.’
    ‘They did not! My uncle told me—’
    ‘You going to feed them? Pay to heat the tanks and all that?’
    ‘They don’t shoot them.’
    ‘Better than letting them starve, right?’
    He flicks some crumbs from his sleeve.
    ‘Why are you rolling your eyes?’ he asks.
    ‘I’m not.’
    ‘What did your uncle say then?’
    ‘A plan is in place,’ I say, ‘to protect the animals.’
    ‘Yeah. Like I told you.’
    The sickening gesture again.
    ‘Well, I protect the ravens now. So they will be safe.’
    Suddenly Miss Breedon appears under a black umbrella at the other end of the corridor. I thrust my hand behind my back, my fist closed round the biscuit.
    ‘Timothy Squire. Get back into the classroom this moment.’ Her gaze flicks to me. ‘I am not sure what kind of institution you attended previous to joining us, Miss Cooper, but here at the Tower School we arrive on time for our lessons. Come, both of you, out of the rain, quickly.’
    Wednesday, 9 October 1940
    ‘A strange man?’
    I swallow, hard, and try again.
    ‘A man. Not at the Gatehouse. By Traitors’ Gate.’
    Uncle turns to me, a glow in his eyes. ‘You know that Traitors’ Gate is a water gate? Prisoners had to enter on a barge, passing under the heads of executed criminals displayed on London Bridge. Queen Anne Boleyn—’
    ‘Yes, but when the tide is out.’
    It was something Timothy Squire had mentioned. Surely that is how the man was able to walk up to the gate.
    ‘Well, dear, Yeoman Oakes was a Company Sergeant Major,’ Uncle answers, ignoring my question about the tides, ‘in conversation with all sorts – Scots Guards, Royal Highlanders. Likely it was an off-duty soldier. And those Royal Highlanders are some of the strangest folks you’ll ever meet.’
    I nod, unsure how to continue. What can I possibly say? That I saw Oakes talking to a strange man through the portcullis? That is the truth. That he could be planning to kill the prime minister? What would Uncle – what would anyone – say to that?
    ‘Come on, you lot.’
    Uncle gives his whistle and dumps the bowl into the cage. In horror I realize my stomach is growling – I am hungry, but not for bloodsoaked biscuits. The chance of having Welsh rarebit for dinner, however, is slim.
    Uncle gestures to the birds with a smile. ‘You know where the word “ravenous” comes from?’
    I watch them tear and jab for as long as I can.
    This week could not get any worse. The girls still whisper, giggle. At least I had the satisfaction of enjoying a leisurely few minutes eating the biscuit under Leslie’s watchful gaze. Timothy Squire – who couldn’t stop talking on Monday afternoon – didn’t say a word yesterday. Not once has his giant head turned round in its seat. He promised to take me out of here.
    Why did I tell Timothy Squire that I would protect the ravens?
    If the Tower ravens leave, Britain will fall.
    Grip arrives – a black flicker, and he is there – to collect his meal, as Uncle Henry predicted. I think I notice a smile of relief, though. Surely Uncle fears Grip will go in search of Mabel. She is an example for us all.
    ‘Uncle. Don’t the ravens... want to be with the other ravens? The free ones?’
    He gives me a look. ‘When did you last see a raven, Anna?’
    I shrug. ‘All the time. On rubbish day.’
    He laughs, filling up MacDonald’s bowl. ‘Those are crows, my dear. It’s a hundred years or more since a wild raven has been seen in London.’
    Really? I thought these ones were just bigger – well fed and flightless, but the same bird.
    ‘What happened to the wild ones?’
    ‘Shot, mostly.’ He is frowning, and after a moment I frown too. ‘Ravens have always been held in suspicion. The dark