by Alesha Dixon
Nanny Beam clapped her hands, swooning at the mere sight of it, before launching into a list of its hidden features.
“An engine more powerful than turbine jets; lighter than a feather; the fastest car in the world; invisibility feature, of course; fire, flood and bullet proof; extremely spacious inside. I’ve been able to fit a couple of the alpacas in the back seat, would you believe? Laser light-beams; fully decked-out computer system; cameras on every corner; AND,” she paused, inhaling dramatically, “she can fly.”
“It … it can fly?”
“She, Aurora. Not it. She has feelings,” Nanny Beam scolded. “And yes. She can fly. That’s a new feature I’m yet to test out. I think I’ll give her a couple more checks before I try to get her in the air, but I imagine she will be ready for that in a week or so.”
We stood in silence for ages staring at the car before Nanny Beam turned to look at me.
“What do you think?” she asked eagerly.
“I think…” I began, a dazed smile spreading across my face, “I think that it is safe to say you are the coolest granny on the planet.”
Nanny Beam put an arm round my shoulders, pulling me close.
“So, if you promise you won’t tell your mother,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “how do you feel about taking her for a spin?”
9
Mum stopped in front of a lamp post.
“Here we are!” she announced brightly, pushing her sunglasses up her nose.
Dad and I shared a look.
“Um, Mum?” I said, as Dad tried and failed to suppress a snigger. “That’s a lamp post.”
“Yes. And?”
“And we’re supposed to be going to the Superhero Conference.”
“Exactly.” Mum nodded.
“I think I had better get you some water, Kiyana,” Dad said, glancing round for any sign of a newsagents. “I think the heat has gone to your head.”
“The heat has NOT gone to my head,” Mum huffed, folding her arms stubbornly. “The superhero conference is exactly here.” She pointed at the lamp post.
Dad sighed. “On second thoughts, I think I’ll get you two bottles of water.”
As they bickered, I took a moment to sit on my suitcase and admire the Houses of Parliament. We were standing by one of the lamp posts right in front of it and the sun was beginning to set, so it looked even more beautiful and grand in an orange glow.
I felt excited about the conference, but apprehensive too. I didn’t really know what to expect and even though I had been asking Mum loads of questions about it since I got back from Nanny Beam’s, she hadn’t been very helpful.
“The last Superhero Conference like this one was years ago, Aurora,” she’d said in a tired voice when I asked her about it for the twentieth time that day. “I can’t really remember all the details, but it was just lots of superheroes in a room having a big discussion. Boring really.”
Except this time it surely wouldn’t be boring, especially since the whole reason for the conference was because we had found the most precious stone in existence, the Light of the World, and needed to decide where it would be safe. And it DEFINITELY wouldn’t be boring for me because that stone is the source of all my superpowers.
Anyway, when Mum said that we were going to the Houses of Parliament for the Superhero Conference, Dad and I got really excited because I’d never been there before, and Dad always gets excited about geeky stuff like old buildings.
Clara was very jealous that she wasn’t allowed to come with us.
“Have fun,” she’d said glumly when we’d waved goodbye this morning. “Try and appreciate the perpendicular Gothic style of the Palace of Westminster.”
“We’re not going to the Palace of Westminster,” I’d corrected, smiling at my little sister. “We’re going to the Houses of Parliament.”
She’d let out a long sigh and plodded up the stairs with a new encyclopaedia tucked under her arm. “The Palace of Westminster is the Houses of Parliament, Aurora.”
Kizzy had been equally as jealous when I told her on the phone where we were going, making me promise to take some photos. I had missed the Bright Sparks loads while I had been away in Cornwall and was hoping to see them before leaving for the conference, but they were all on their own summer holidays with their families.
I WISHED I could tell them all about Nanny Beam’s secret lair and her supercar; it took all my self-control not to let such cool information slip out. Driving around the country lanes of Cornwall with Nanny Beam had been like zooming around in a luxurious space rocket.
They had all messaged me to say good luck for the conference on our group chat: Georgie had reminded me to bring my special new Lightning Girl jacket, Suzie had told me to practise my cartwheels during any free time I had as they needed “a LOT of work”, and Kizzy promised to organize a Bright Sparks meeting when I returned. Fred said good luck too and then informed us that he believed he’d just broken the loudest burp world record and his mum had banished him from the room because of his achievement.
“Henry, for the last time, I do NOT need any water,” Mum hissed, as Dad continued to outline the symptoms of dehydration. “This lamp post is the entrance to the conference. When has my sense of direction ever let us down before?”
Dad harrumphed and muttered under his breath, “How long have you got?”
Mum ignored him and inspected the lamp post closely. “This is definitely it. Look at all the other lamp posts on this road. What’s different about this one?”
I glanced up and down at the tall, elegant, black lamp posts lining the pavement around the Houses of Parliament. Then I looked back at the one Mum was standing next to.
“This one isn’t on and all the others are?” I suggested.
“Exactly! The reason it isn’t on is because it’s not really a lamp post; it’s a door.”
I shrugged at Dad as Mum checked to make sure there weren’t any tourists or busy Londoners looking our way, before crouching to pretend to tie her shoe lace. Instead, she pressed something at the bottom of the lamp post and then stood up straight.
“Kiyana Beam! It’s been years!”
We jumped at the shrill voice that suddenly came from behind us, turning to see a tall dark-haired woman wearing blue lipstick and a long blue summer dress. She held out her arms and drew Mum into a big hug.
“Crystal!” Mum grinned, hugging her back. “How are you?”
“Very pleased to see you! I think the last time I saw you was that boring conference about that volcano. You remember, when the lava was green, and everyone went mad thinking the world was ending? Turned out to be a villain, who you managed to sort out in five seconds flat! You always were one of the best.” She turned to smile at me and Dad. “This must be your handsome husband and charming daughter!”
Dad blushed all the way to his roots and mumbled something incoherent as she shook his hand.
“Almost everyone is here now. You had better go in or else Mr Vermore will start getting twitchy. He’s very strict about the conference running to schedule and bossing us all about, despite the fact that he has no superpowers to speak of. I honestly think if he’s not careful, Benjamin Jackson – you know, the very strong, handsome hero from Lagos – is going to lose his temper.”
The name Vermore rang a bell but I couldn’t work out why.
“Right,” Crystal said, clapping her hands. “Let’s open the door, shall we? But first I just need to sort the safety measures. If you could all stand very still on those four paving slabs. Don’t forget your luggage. I’ll see you soon; I just have to wait for the remaining guests to arrive and then I’ll be joining you all.”
Mum, Dad and I did as she instructed, stepping on to the indicated squares around the lamp post. She winked at Mum and then inhaled deeply, wiggling her fingers. I gasped as a thin sparkling blue bubble seemed to form around us and the lamp post.
“Crystal has invisibility superpowers,” Mum informed me, watching her in admiration. “
She can create an invisible field and a hallucination around us. Nobody on the street can see us now. All they see is the lamp post and the pavement exactly how it should be. She can’t do it for very long, but it is quite an amazing superpower.”
Suddenly, the paving slabs began to lower through the pavement. I gripped on to Mum’s arm as we sank into the ground, passers-by not noticing a thing. Crystal waved cheerfully to us from the street. The pavement slabs came to a halt, level with the doors of a large transparent pod with seats inside.
We stepped off and into the glass pod and the pavement gradually went back up, closing above us.
“Sit down,” Mum said, excitedly. “And you’ll need to put on your seatbelt.”
Dad and I nervously buckled into our seats. Before I had time to ask Mum what was about to happen, the glass bubble jolted forward, speeding through a tunnel, turning and twisting, making my stomach drop, before coming to a sudden halt. It opened its doors on to a platform, and I felt a bit dizzy as I stood up, as though I’d just been on a roller coaster.
“Isn’t that a fun way of getting around! The Superhero Express!” Mum exclaimed, dragging our luggage out. Dad didn’t look like he’d had much fun. He had gone very green and Mum had to go back into the pod to help him undo his seat belt.
“The Beams! Welcome!”
A burly man with thick dark hair and strong eyebrows, wearing an expensive-looking suit, came hurrying over to greet us, holding out his hand to Mum.
“What an honour to meet you. I’m Darek Vermore,” he said, beaming at me. “You may know my tagline: Vermore, for those who want more.”
I realized why I had recognized the name Vermore before. He was a powerful businessman, who ran loads of big London tech companies. Alexis worshipped him, and I’d seen his adverts on television, where he’d say the tagline at the end with a cheesy smile. But as I shook his hand, something niggled at the back of my brain. As though I’d seen him somewhere else, other than on his adverts. I just couldn’t place him.
“Of course, I know who you are,” Mum said as she smiled warmly. “Thank you for providing all the technology and equipment we need for the next few days.”
“Not at all. Sponsoring the Superhero Conference is an honour. I’m extremely proud of this building and my company’s advanced security technology,” he added, in a more serious tone. “Rest assured, Mrs Beam, the Light of the World will be safe here. I assume you have it with you? How exciting.”
His wide eyes flickered towards her handbag. Mum’s hand drifted over it protectively.
Vermore opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a short man with thick-rimmed glasses and scruffy blond hair. The new arrival came running over to us, tripping over his feet and landing flat on his face, sending the computer tablet he was holding scattering across the platform. He looked as though he belonged in a cartoon.
I quickly bent down to get the tablet as Mum and Dad, who had now recovered from the Superhero Express, helped him up.
“Are you all right?” Mum asked, handing him his glasses.
“Aye, I’m so sorry, so sorry. Thank you, thank you,” he spluttered in a thick Scottish accent, as I gave him the tablet back. “That was lucky! It didn’t crack!”
Mr Vermore was looking at him with disgust and I immediately felt sorry for whoever he was.
“Ah yes, this is my new assistant.” Mr Vermore sighed impatiently, as though annoyed that he had to take the time to introduce him. “David Donnelly. He’s yet to get the hang of things, so I’m afraid you’ll have to be very patient with him.”
“Are there any refreshments I can get you?” David asked quietly, so embarrassed he hardly dared to look at us.
“I’m all right, thank you, David. That’s very kind of you,” Mum said kindly, shooting a glare at Mr Vermore who was too busy flicking a speck of dust from his pocket square to notice.
“I think it’s time you showed the Beams to their rooms,” Mr Vermore snarled at David. “Help them with their bags.”
David nodded and beckoned us to follow him along the platform to the large doors at the end.
“Relax and settle in, Beams,” Mr Vermore called out behind us, his booming voice echoing around the platform. “And then the real fun can begin!”
10
“WOW!”
I had to rub my eyes to believe what I was seeing. Twice.
The Superhero Conference was the coolest place EVER. When David opened the doors from the platform, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting to step forward into a HUGE, spectacular glass dome. It was so high, I had to squint my eyes to see the top of the curved ceiling.
There were several large metallic circle doors around the dome and I watched in awe as someone walked up to one, pressed a button at its side and the metal door opened in a spiral. The vast central space of the dome was split into sections – there was a seating area around a beautiful water fountain where people were lounging, drinking coffee and chatting; and on the other side of the dome was what looked like a small overgrown jungle, with trees, plants and colourful flowers. Someone was taking a nap in a hammock in the middle of it.
“I can’t believe this is right below the Houses of Parliament, built so far underground,” Dad said, polishing his glasses with his shirt before putting them back on to make sure he was seeing things correctly. “Outstanding architecture. I’d love to learn more about it.”
“I have pamphlets,” David said hurriedly, checking his pockets. “Argh, I must have left them somewhere. Mr Vermore is going to kill me if I’ve lost them.”
“It’s all right,” Dad assured him warmly. “You can just let me know when and if you find them.”
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Mum smiled, enjoying my stunned reaction. “Would you believe, Aurora, that such an underground complex exists where you’d never expect?”
Actually, I thought, I can completely believe that, because my grandmother happens to have one of her own built underneath her quaint Cornwall cottage.
But I obviously couldn’t say that out loud.
“It’s amazing,” I said instead. “Is everyone in here a superhero?”
“Oh yes,” David nodded. “Everyone except me. And Mr Vermore, of course.”
As if on cue, one of the women lounging next to the water fountain began to entertain everyone by holding out her hand and manipulating the water, shaping it into dolphins. The man opposite her laughed, took a leisurely sip of coffee, and then gave a sharp nod towards her water dolphin, which instantly turned into an ice sculpture.
I burst into an enthusiastic round of applause, causing everyone to swivel round and look in our direction. There was a ripple of whispers that echoed throughout the dome and I quickly stopped clapping.
“Everyone is very excited that you’re here,” David explained, as Dad put an arm around my shoulders. “They’ve all been waiting to see the … light stone… What was it called again?”
“The Light of the World,” Dad informed him.
“And they’ll have to wait a little longer to see it,” Mum said sternly. “We will be keeping it under lock and key until the main conference in a couple of days.”
“The Vermore security systems are the best in the world,” David assured her. “Mr Vermore told me to let you know that if you want to put it somewhere other than your room before the conference, then he’d be happy to—”
“That’s all right,” Mum answered, cutting him off. “It’s very secure and he did inform me there’s a safe in the room?”
“Oh, aye,” David nodded, adjusting his glasses. “The safe in your room is the best Vermore one there is. It’s only, Mr Vermore has a personal vault, and he mentioned you might want to keep it there instead.”
Mum and Dad shared a look.
“Please thank Mr Vermore on my behalf, but we’ll hold on to it for now.”
Mum and Dad hadn’t even told me exactly where the Light of the World was. We’d learnt from the night at the Natu
ral History Museum that just being near the precious stone made my matching swirled scar glow brightly and made my powers very volatile, but Dad had informed me that they’d managed to have a special small box designed for it that was made of such an incredible metal – a hundred times stronger than the vaults the stone had been kept in at the museum – that I wouldn’t be so affected with it being nearby.
And considering my powers hadn’t been out of control and my scar hadn’t been glowing at all for the entire journey here when they had the stone on them, I’m guessing the specially designed box worked.
“Well,” Dad said, clearing his throat and pretending not to notice everyone in the dome staring at us, “shall we continue?”
“I … I don’t have time to give you a full tour of the complex,” David said apologetically, his shoulders hunched forward. “But if you follow me to your rooms, I can point out some of the main features. That door there –” he pointed at one of the doors set into the dome – “leads off to the superhero training room. It has all the equipment you need.”
“Sounds great!” Mum said enthusiastically.
“And that is where the meetings will be held over the next two days,” David continued, pointing out the next circular door along. “On the opposite side of the dome, that door over there leads to the canteen. And your rooms are this way.”
He tripped over his foot again, stumbling forward but managing to stay upright this time. He blushed and scurried on, leading us past another large circular door.
“Poor guy,” Mum whispered to me, frowning. “His boss clearly terrifies him.”
I nodded in agreement, stepping after Dad and David through the spiral door right at the back of the dome. It led to a long, wide corridor of bedrooms.
“Miss Aurora Beam, this is your room.”
David knocked loudly.
“Who is it?” a voice behind the door replied.
“It’s only me, David Donnelly. Your new room-mate has arrived.”
