Great Animal Escapade

by Jane Kerr

  ‘And what do you think of life at Belle Vue, Miss Carkettle?’

  ‘I must say I’m extremely glad to be here.’

  Smiling, Mrs Jameson relaxed her shoulders slightly and took a sip of tea. ‘I’m very happy to hear it.’

  ‘Yes, indeed,’ Miss Carkettle continued. ‘I can’t imagine the extent of the damage had I arrived any later. Henrietta is already half-wild. Why, I believe she spends most of her days wandering around the park with that boy you’ve taken in.’ Danny stiffened. ‘A little longer and there’s no telling what might have happened. As it is, I will have my work cut out.’

  ‘Aunt! Danny and I are not causing any trouble! We’re only—’

  ‘Henrietta, was I addressing you? No, I was not. And that’s because this is a conversation between adults, not children. So, please do not interrupt.’ Delicately, Miss Carkettle sipped her tea. ‘As you see, there is much to be done.’

  Mrs Jameson’s spine had snapped straight. ‘Let me make sure I understand you correctly – are you suggesting that Belle Vue is an improper home for your niece?’

  ‘I’m not suggesting it, Mrs Jameson. I’m telling you. I was always against William bringing Henrietta to Manchester. And so far, I’ve seen nothing to change my mind.’ Another sip. ‘A zoological pleasure park is hardly the right environment in which to raise a young girl.’

  Danny could see the muscles in Mrs Jameson’s face tighten. Her cup and saucer met with a clatter; and drops of tea splashed on to the rug. ‘I couldn’t disagree more, Miss Carkettle. My parents began Belle Vue when it was no more than a vegetable garden. My brothers and I were raised here, and our childhood was extremely happy. This is a wonderful place to live.’

  Carefully, Miss Carkettle lowered her teacup. The china didn’t so much as rattle. ‘Then I suppose we’ll have to agree to disagree, Mrs Jameson.’

  If possible, the silence that followed was even more awkward than it had been before. Hetty sat in the corner, biting her lip. Danny had never seen her look so frustrated. He wished he could help, but he didn’t know how to.

  Perhaps Mrs Jameson had also noticed because, after taking a deep breath, she tried again. ‘You may not approve of zoological animals, Miss Carkettle, but you must have heard of our summer production? ‘Prince Dandip and the Fight for Flamenca’? Everyone is so excited. Most of the staff are involved, as well as many local people and their families. It’s certain to be a wonderful show.’

  ‘So I’m told. And while I can’t stop it from happening, I shall not be attending. No one should have fun on a Sunday. I’m just glad no member of my own family will be taking part.’

  Hetty made an inarticulate sound but fortunately her aunt didn’t hear. Someone was knocking on the Jamesons’ front door, pounding so hard that the sound seemed to bounce along the hall.

  Danny jumped to his feet. He didn’t care who it was – this was the excuse he’d been waiting for. Staring at Hetty, he tilted his head towards the door, hoping she’d understand. Fortunately, it didn’t take long. She slid from her chair.

  ‘Aunt Augusta, why don’t Danny and I see who’s calling, while you get to know Mrs Jameson a little better. I’m sure you’ll be much happier without us in the way. Then there’ll be no risk of interruption.’

  They were both out of the room before either woman could protest. In the hallway, Hetty grabbed Danny’s arm. ‘What did I tell you? She’s even worse than she was before. You have to help me.’

  ‘Of course, I will . . .’ Danny paused. The knocking still hadn’t stopped, and there was no sign of the Jamesons’ maid. He sighed. ‘Wait here. It’s probably not important.’

  But when he wrenched open the door, Tom Dalton was standing on the top step, twitching with impatience. ‘About time! I need to speak to Mr Jameson. Is he in?’

  ‘He’s busy. If you’ve a message, give it to me.’ Danny didn’t care that he was being rude. He needed to talk to Hetty. Alone.

  ‘Fine. Then you can be the one to tell him.’ A sly expression crossed Tom’s face. ‘Tell him . . . tell him the lioness has disappeared.’

  Danny’s fingers tightened around the door frame. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Just what I said. The lioness – Victoria – has escaped. She’s been gone at least two hours. Probably more. And from what I’ve heard, her cage door was left wide open.’

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Danny, I want an honest answer. Did you leave that cage unlocked?’ Mr Jameson sat behind his desk and stared across at Danny. The distance between them seemed far wider than usual.

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘Are you certain?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  Silence. Mr Jameson leant forward and rested his fists on the desk. They were clenched tight. ‘I’m goin’ to give you one more chance to change your answer. Did you leave the lion enclosure open?’

  The injustice of it blocked Danny’s throat. It was true that he had finished his jobs quickly, rushing to be on time to see Hetty at church. But that didn’t mean he’d been careless. He knew he hadn’t left Victoria’s cage unlocked. He knew it.

  ‘NO!’ It was almost a shout.

  ‘Fine! I hear you.’

  Abruptly, Mr Jameson pushed back his chair and walked to the window. A knock on the door broke the silence. It was Hetty’s father.

  ‘William! Any news?’

  Mr Saddleworth shook his head. ‘Nothing yet. I’ve got as many staff as I can spare out searching for her. And the message has gone out across Belle Vue. But if we’re not careful, we’ll have a panic on our hands. Losing a lioness is a far more serious problem than losing an emu.’

  ‘Yes. You don’t have to tell me.’ Mr Jameson scowled, and shot a narrowed glance at Danny. ‘I’ve been tryin’ to find out how it happened.’

  Mr Saddleworth rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Does it matter, James? Surely, the important job is to find the lioness. Let’s leave who was to blame until after we get her back.’

  ‘Maybe you’re right. But this is the second animal in only a few days that’s managed to escape.’ This time, Mr Jameson’s gaze moved to Danny and stayed there. ‘I have to know if it was an accident or if someone’s makin’ mischief for Belle Vue. Do you understand what I’m sayin’, lad? Cos I’d rather have the truth now, than later.’

  ‘I told you . . . it wasn’t me!’ Danny didn’t know how many times he’d have to say it before he was believed. But like an annoying fly, his conscience buzzed at him. ‘But . . .’

  ‘But what? Come on, lad. If you have somethin’ to say, just say it!’

  He took a breath. ‘But . . . I don’t think Emerald’s escape was an accident.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘I found the old lock from her cage. I think someone hammered it. That’s why she was able to get out.’

  Frowning, Mr Jameson walked around from behind the desk. ‘And why didn’t you tell me this before?’

  ‘I meant to, but I didn’t . . . I thought . . .’ Danny trailed off. How could he explain that he’d been so full of anger and resentment that he’d deliberately said nothing? Now the reasons sounded stupid and petty.

  ‘So where is this lock now?’

  Danny swallowed. Already he could feel his throat closing up. ‘At the bottom of the pond. In the Italian gardens . . . sir.’

  Mr Jameson let out a snort. ‘Well, that’s no good to me. Without proof, I’ve only your word for it. And let me tell you, at the moment your word’s not worth a great deal.’ He stared at Danny. ‘So, is there anythin’ else you’re hidin’ from me?’

  Briefly, Danny thought about last night’s shooting, and about the stranger who had come to his rescue. ‘No, sir,’ he said. ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Go on then. Get out and make yourself useful. But remember you’re not to leave the park on your own. Not without someone with you. Not with Frank Scatcherd roamin’ loose. And this time you make sure to do as I say. Understood?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  Danny slippe
d from the room but he didn’t leave the house. Instead, he rested his head against the wall outside the study and waited. It didn’t take long.

  ‘You heard him. He says he didn’t do it.’ Despite the muffled effect of the closed door, the frustration in Mr Jameson’s voice was obvious.

  ‘And you believe him?’

  Danny held his breath.

  A sigh. ‘I don’t know. The head keeper swears Danny was the last person in that enclosure. It was his turn to feed the big cats. No one else went in there afterwards, he says. And there’s no sign that the gate was forced.’ A pause. ‘So, who else could it be?’

  Footsteps moved across the floor. Now Mr Saddleworth sounded closer. ‘Look James, even if Danny did leave the cage unlocked, I can’t believe he did it on purpose. He’s a good lad. You know that.’

  ‘A week ago, I’d have said the same. I thought he was settlin’ into Belle Vue. Makin’ his home here with Ethel May and me. But in the last few days, somethin’s been off. And I’m sure he’s hidin’ things from us. Of course, this news about Frank Scatcherd doesn’t help. Ethel May’s worryin’ herself sick.’

  Mr Saddleworth’s exclamation was loud enough to be heard on the other side of the house. ‘There you are, then! Danny’s not hiding anything from you. He’s just worried about Scatcherd escaping. Lord knows, he’s got every reason.’ A floorboard creaked as though he’d taken a sudden step forward.

  ‘Listen, James. Being a father isn’t easy. I struggle with it myself. Hetty thinks I’m too protective, and Augusta doesn’t think I’m protective enough. You can never get it right all the time. The important point is to keep trying.’

  This time Mr Jameson’s sigh was much deeper. ‘Maybe, William. You’ve a lot more experience at parentin’ than me. But to be honest, I’m wonderin’ if me and Ethel May . . . well, maybe we made a mistake. Bringing him here, I mean . . .’

  Danny felt the words like a punch. They seemed to land somewhere in the centre of his chest, forcing the air from his lungs. Blindly, he pushed himself away from the wall and stumbled out of the house. He didn’t know where he was going, only that he needed to get away.

  How had this happened? How – in just a handful of days – had his safe, comfortable life at Belle Vue fallen apart?

  Danny was at the gate of the elephant enclosure before he realized how far he’d travelled. Shocked, he looked around. He didn’t remember choosing this path. Or walking this far.

  He opened the gate and stared across the paddock. Maharajah’s outline was clearly visible on the far side. Danny began to run, stumbling in his haste. Suddenly, Maharajah raised his head, flapped his great ears and lumbered forward.

  They met somewhere in the middle. And Danny laid his hand against the warm, rough skin, then rested his cheek in the spot next to it. He took a deep breath. And another.

  His mind was whirring like the innards of a clock, every cog and wheel spinning in different directions. But here, like this, with Maharajah’s warmth around him, the chaotic whirling seemed to slow. And stop. Gradually, he eased back. Above him, gold eyes glittered, bright as candle flames. They stood watching each other for a moment. Then Maharajah turned and ambled towards the pond.

  Danny watched him go.

  He slid down on to the grass, lay on the ground and stared into the sky. It seemed to him that in the last few days, nothing had gone right. From the moment he’d humiliated Mr Snade and the other investors at the lakeside, he’d been in trouble. Later that same day, Emerald had escaped – very probably helped by someone who’d hammered through the lock on her pen.

  Then two nights ago, he’d narrowly missed being shot at in the maze, and just when he was about to blurt out the full story, Constable Oversby had brought news of Scatcherd’s escape. But if those weren’t disastrous enough, Victoria the lioness had vanished from her cage – and Danny was the last person to have seen her.

  Someone was causing trouble at Belle Vue, pulling strings with the expertise of a puppetmaster. But even worse, whoever was responsible had left Danny in the centre of the storm.

  The thought carved a hollow in his stomach.

  ‘Hello? Hello there!’

  Danny lifted his head, shading his eyes against the brightness. A man stood looking down at him, the sunlight cast his face in shadow. But even though his features weren’t clear, there was something about him that was oddly familiar.

  ‘I thought it was you.’ The man hesitated. And then, in just a handful of words, Danny’s life changed for ever. ‘I want to introduce myself . . . I’m your father.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  Danny sat up. His head felt dizzy. The blood pounded through his temples. He pressed his palms against his eyes until the lids prickled. Then he opened them again.

  The man was still there.

  Danny scrambled away, crawling backwards along the grass like an upturned crab, arms and legs splayed out in all directions. The stranger didn’t move. Danny stopped. Across the short distance, they watched each other warily.

  ‘I’m sorry. I should have realized it would be a shock. It was foolish of me to blurt it out like that. But after seeing you a few nights ago, I just . . . I just couldn’t wait.’

  And then Danny realized something – he knew this man. It was the stranger who’d helped him in the maze. Although, it wasn’t his face that Danny recognized; it was his voice. So polished. So perfect. And so precise.

  ‘You see, I’ve been looking for you for some time. And I meant to do this carefully. But then there were those gunshots, and I had to do something. Because otherwise . . .’ He let the thought trail off, before swallowing visibly. ‘Well? Won’t you say something? Anything at all?’

  Danny lifted his chin but he stayed silent.

  Because he knew this was a trick. A lie. A joke.

  It had to be.

  He looked nothing like this man. They didn’t share a single feature in common. While Danny’s skin was bronze-brown – just a few shades lighter than his dark hair – the stranger was pale, lightly freckled and pink-cheeked, the perfect complement to his sandy curls and hazel eyes.

  No. Danny was certain. This stranger could not possibly be his father. He would have laughed if he hadn’t been so angry. Instead, he bit down on his lip until he tasted blood.

  ‘I know it’s hard to believe. But it’s true. I’m only sorry it’s taken so long to find you.’ The man stepped forward, almost as though he couldn’t restrain himself. Quickly, Danny scrambled back, and the man stopped. ‘Maybe I should have waited. For a better moment.’

  Distractedly, the stranger lifted his hat and combed a hand through his hair. A sandy curl flopped down on to his forehead. He pushed it away but the curl refused to stay. And suddenly, the safe, solid ground underneath Danny disappeared.

  Because he recognized that gesture. Every morning, in front of the mirror in his room, he did exactly the same. And every morning, a cow’s lick curl fell stubbornly back into the centre of his forehead.

  He trembled. And he remembered the first time he’d climbed up on to Maharajah’s back – the dip of his stomach as he’d risen upwards and the giddy, rocking motion that had followed. This felt exactly the same.

  ‘Look. I’ll go now and give you time to think. But all I ask is that you do the same for me. Give me some time . . . to get to know you. And for you to get to know me.’

  The stranger paused but if he was expecting a response he was disappointed. Because a thousand thoughts were beating in Danny’s brain and not one of them made enough sense to voice aloud.

  ‘I’m staying at the Longsight Hotel on Redgate Lane. When you’re ready to talk, come to me there. Ask for Larkin. Charles Larkin. I’ll wait for you. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, I’ll wait.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  Two days later there was still no sign of the lioness; Frank Scatcherd had still not been recaptured; and Danny had still not visited the Longsight Hotel. For the past forty-eight hours, it was as though he’d bee
n living in a fog. A fog that dulled everything except for the constant questions in his head.

  Conversations had gone on around him, and yet he hadn’t heard any of them. People had talked to him and he’d answered back, but he didn’t remember what they’d said. Decisions were made, but he couldn’t have explained what they were.

  He was distantly aware that the hunt for Victoria had moved away from Belle Vue, and on to the neighbouring streets. There had been no news, despite a five-shilling reward offered by Mr Jameson. And the newspaper headlines were growing increasingly excited.

  KILLER LION ON THE LOOSE! ANOTHER BEAST ESCAPES BELLE VUE MANCHESTER’S MENAGERIE: THE MOST DANGEROUS ZOO IN ENGLAND!

  Once, any type of publicity would have delighted Mr Jameson – good or bad. He’d always said that being talked about was better than not being talked about at all. But not this time. These news stories only seemed to make him angrier, and even Mrs Jameson hadn’t been able to lift his spirits. Eventually, after her husband had lashed out once too often, she’d taken Danny to one side. It was one of the few conversations he did remember.

  ‘Don’t let it worry you, Danny. He’ll be fine in a few days, I promise. It’s just that . . .’ She’d hesitated. ‘Well . . . Mr Snade and the other men who’ve put money into Belle Vue are a little worried . . . about all the stories. But once Victoria’s back home, everything will be back to normal. You’ll see.’

  Danny had nodded to show he’d understood but, compared to what the stranger had told him, nothing else had seemed important.

  I’m your father . . . he’d said. I’m your father . . .

  Was it true?

  Danny didn’t know.

  But he kept remembering how Larkin had pushed back the cow’s lick curl. And he couldn’t help wondering – what if it was true? What if by some curious twist of fortune, Charles Larkin had met Danny’s mother years ago in Edinburgh. What if they’d had a child together? A boy? And what if that boy was him?

  ‘Danny? DANNY!’

  His head snapped up. He was supposed to be sweeping the courtyard at the front of Belle Vue House, but he’d not got very far along the path. And now Mr Jameson was scowling down at him from the front step.