“Come on,” Cecily said, wiping her face on the sleeve of her leather jacket. “We’ve still got to get to school. We can’t have anyone asking questions.”
Arthur wanted to see his dad more than anything, but he knew Cecily was right. They had to act as if their trip to the future hadn’t happened; at least around other people. When school was over he’d run home and give his dad the biggest hug ever. Until then, he had to be patient.
“Like this?” Ren spread her arms, presenting her damp second-hand outfit. “I haven’t showered in three days, and I’ve been using the end of my finger to brush my teeth. People are going to notice. And what about our uniforms?”
Arthur sniffed his armpits and recoiled. “Ren’s right; if we turn up like this we’ll raise suspicions. We have to go home to wash and change into fresh clothes. I don’t have a spare blazer so I’ll have to make up a story about losing my old one.”
Hurrying out onto the street, they could hear police sirens. “I would have only called them a few minutes ago,” Cecily realized, biting her lip. “We can’t still be here when they arrive. I’ll have to convince them that I was so shaken up by the explosion I went back to my aunt’s.”
“All right, but who’s taking Cloud?” Ren asked. “My mum’s allergic to dogs. I won’t be allowed to keep him.”
Cecily gathered him up and smiled as he licked her face. “I’ve already thought about that. I’m going to tell my parents that if they have to go away so often on business, then I need him. And that’s the end of it.”
She said it with such assurance, Arthur didn’t doubt it would be.
“We’re going to be late,” Ren noted as they rushed along the road. “I guess I’ll see you two in detention?” She waved as she turned off towards her house.
Arthur and Cecily continued in the same direction. “The one good thing about staying at my aunt’s is that I don’t now have to go to the other side of town to get a shower,” she commented.
Arthur lifted an eyebrow. “The one good thing? Aren’t you forgetting that Ren and I also live here?” He imagined how things would change now. If he needed help, if he wanted someone to talk to, he could call on Ren and Cecily. They didn’t care how much money he had or where he came from; they were real friends – they liked him for him.
Hiding a smile, Cecily pretended to shrug. “I suppose I will be able to see you more. Hey, maybe we could watch Frankenstein together this weekend?”
Arthur thought of the copy on his dad’s bookshelf. “Sure, but I’m gonna read the book first. Actually, I’m gonna read about all the heroes we met.”
“Me too,” she agreed. “Except Amaros Ba, of course.” Before they parted, she looked pensive. “It’s strange to think that even though we’ve travelled to the future, we still have no idea what will happen in our own lives.”
“Our futures are full of possibility,” Arthur said, feeling light. “They always have been.”
Acknowledgements
The heroes depicted in Wonderscape are fictitious versions of incredible real people. I consulted a range of books, articles, paintings, podcasts, films, TV programmes and websites when writing them. Readers who are interested in learning more could visit their local library or bookshop and ask for advice from a librarian or bookseller.
Wonderscape has been a challenge to write and I wouldn’t have come close to completing it without the generous support of others. I’d like to thank my editors, Denise Johnstone-Burt and Megan Middleton, for giving me advice on how to refine the story; and copy-editors Jenny Glencross and Clare Baalham for helping me polish the text.
My gratitude goes to illustrator Paddy Donnelly, designer Ben Norland and typesetter Anna Robinette for making the inside and outside of the book look amazing. Huge thanks also to Kirsten Cozens, Jo Humphreys-Davies and everyone at Walker Books who has been behind Wonderscape every step of the way.
Polly Nolan, thank you for guiding me along the sometimes-prickly path of professional writing. You are the best agent in the world and I am so proud and grateful to be represented by you and your agency, Papercuts.
A very special thank you to Sarah Bryars for offering the best advice and Alice Lickens for her good humour and endless patience. Tara Kemsley, thank you for listening to me, laughing with me and being the greatest brainstorm partner ever. I am beyond grateful to count you among my friends.
Peter, I love you for always believing in my writing. Thanks for the endless encouragement, and for the jokes and hugs. They were important.
Mum, thank you for being my hero and for knowing that even though I’m a grown up, I still need you to hold my hand sometimes.
Finally, I want to say a massive thank you to my sister, Beth, who inspires me every day. You are a wonder.
Londoner JENNIFER BELL worked as a children’s bookseller at a world-famous bookshop before becoming an author. Her debut novel, The Uncommoners: The Crooked Sixpence, was an international bestseller. She is also the author of Agents of the Wild, an adventure series for younger readers. Wonderscape is inspired by some of her favourite heroes from history (there were too many to fit in the story) and her love of gaming. Find out more about Jennifer at www.jennifer-bell-author.com or say hello on Twitter at @jenrosebell and Instagram @jenbellauthor.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All statements, activities, stunts, descriptions, information and material of any other kind contained herein are included for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied on for accuracy or replicated as they may result in injury.
First published 2020 by Walker Books Ltd
87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ
Text © 2020 Jennifer Bell
Cover illustrations © 2020 Paddy Donnelly
The right of Jennifer Bell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data: a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-4063-9636-2
www.walker.co.uk
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