“Everything’s fine!” he replies defensively, and jerks his head at me. “She just started talking to thin air.”
“Would you like a different car, Lara?” I can see it’s taking Sarah a supreme effort to keep up her pleasant manner. “Or to go to a different location? Neville can take you anywhere. Perhaps you’d like the use of him for the rest of the day?”
She really, really wants to get rid of me.
“This car’s fine, thanks,” I say brightly. “Get in the car,” I mutter to Sadie out of the side of my mouth. “Can’t talk here.”
“I’m sorry?” Sarah frowns.
“Just… on the phone. Tiny earpiece.” I tap my ear and quickly slide into the car.
The car door clunks and we glide away toward the gates. I check that the glass partition is closed, then flop back and look at Sadie.
“This is unbelievable! How did you find it?”
“I just went looking.” She shrugs. “I looked in all the cupboards and the drawers and the safe-”
“You went in Uncle Bill’s safe?” I’m agog. “Wow. What’s in there?”
“Bits of paper and hideous jewels,” says Sadie impatiently. “I was about to give up, when I walked past a dressing table and there it was.”
I can’t believe it. I’m popping with anger. Uncle Bill just sat in front of me and said he didn’t know anything about any dragonfly necklace. He’s a lying … liar . We have to make an action plan. As quickly as I can, I reach inside my bag for a notebook and pen.
“Something’s going on,” I say, writing Action Plan at the top of a page. “There has to be a reason he took it and a reason he’s lying.” I rub my brow in frustration. “But what? Why is it so important to him? Do you know anything else about it? Does it have some kind of history… or collectors’ value-”
“Is this all you’re going to do?” Sadie’s voice explodes. “Talk, talk, drone, drone? We need to get it! You need to climb through the window and get it! At once!”
“Er…” I look up from my notebook.
“It’ll be quite easy,” Sadie adds confidently. “You can take off your shoes.”
“Right.”
I’m nodding. But truth be told, I don’t feel absolutely prepared for this. Break in to Uncle Bill’s house right now? Without making a plan?
“The only thing is,” I venture after a moment, “he’s got lots of security guards and alarms and stuff.”
“So what?” Sadie’s eyes narrow. “Are you frightened of a few alarms?”
“No!” I say at once. “Of course not.”
“I bet you are!” she cries derisively. “I’ve never known such a ninny in all my life! You won’t smoke because it’s dangerous! You wear a safety belt in the motor because it’s dangerous! You won’t eat butter because it’s dangerous!”
“I don’t think butter’s dangerous,” I retort indignantly. “It’s just, you know, olive oil spread has got better fats…”
I trail off at the contemptuous look on Sadie’s face.
“Are you going to climb in through the window and get my necklace?”
“Yes,” I say, after only a split-second pause. “Of course I am.”
“Well, come on, then! Stop the car!”
“Stop bossing me about!” I say resentfully. “I was just about to.”
I lean forward and open the glass partition between us and the driver. “Excuse me? I’m feeling carsick. Could you let me out, please? I’ll go home by tube. I’m not dissing your driving or anything,” I add hastily, as I see him frowning into the rearview mirror. “You’re great. Really… er… smooth action.”
The car pulls over and the driver looks around dubiously. “I’m supposed to take you home to your door.”
“Don’t worry!” I say, clambering out. “Honestly, I just need some fresh air, thanks so much…”
I’m already on the pavement. I bang the door shut and give the driver a little wave. He shoots me one last suspicious glance, then does a three-point turn and heads back toward Uncle Bill’s house. As soon as he’s out of sight, I start retracing my path, keeping unobtrusively to the side of the road. I round the corner, see Uncle Bill’s gates ahead, and pause.
The gates are closed and they’re massive. The security guard is there in his glass box. CCTV cameras are everywhere. You don’t just march straight in to Uncle Bill’s house. I need a strategy. I take a deep breath and approach the gates, looking as innocent as possible.