by Anne Digby
After the three friends had left the cove, they stood on top of the headland for a while. Sue said:
'Lottie seemed different today, didn't she? Much older, somehow.'
Tish nodded.
'It's as if, for the first time, the unthinkable's occurred to her. That she may have to concede defeat. That no one's ever going to believe it's true what she says about Cabro.'
Rebecca was silent. She was looking down into the cove. Thin layers of summer mist were drifting in from the sea, giving it that eerie, uninhabited look again. She'd been out sailing three times since Jamie had first pointed out the rock of the lion. Each time it had looked more real, more lion-like. Now in a cave in a distant cove lies the hero's prize, sleeping like the lion. The words that N. Flavius Cabronius had once written sent a tingle down her spine, each time she remembered them. And she remembered them now.
'Please let Lottie find something,' she thought.
Aloud she said:
'It was hard work, wasn't it? I feel hot and sticky all over.'
Tish turned away from the cove, and looked in the Trebizon Bay direction. It was free of mist. 'Look!' she cried, flinging an arm out. 'Harry's down there – he might let us do some surfing!'
A few minutes later, joined by Elf and Margot, they were riding the big breakers in the bay on the school Malibu boards, shrieking with pleasure as the cool salty spray drenched them from head to toe, the hothouse atmosphere of Mulberry Cove forgotten.
It was Rebecca who made the exciting discovery, on the Wednesday morning.
Tommy, who'd spent the Tuesday afternoon in the cove with the Lazaruses, had come back at tea-time and told them about the squabble. He was more subdued than Rebecca had ever seen him, obviously it had made a deep impression on him.
'Mr Johnson says it's all Uncle Charlie's fault they ain't found anything. Uncle Charlie's ever so upset an' so's Auntie An.'
'Have a jam sandwich, Tommy,' said Tish. 'And do cheer up. People say things they don't mean when they're fed up and tired out. It's all been going on so long . . .'
'Now it's nearly over,' sighed Elf.
Later Rebecca said to her friends: 'Isn't it sad if it's all going to end like this? Recriminations . . . squabbles.' How must Mrs Lazarus be feeling! Suddenly she added: 'Let's go down there in the morning! We're free after breakfast. All the children are going on the boat trip!'
'But only till eleven o'clock,' said Margot dubiously. 'We're supposed to stay around camp – hot drinks to get ready –'
'There's still time!' said Rebecca. 'Even if it's only for an hour, it's still worth it!'
So on Wednesday morning the six waved the children off on their pleasure boat trip to Mulberry Island, before going to the cove, accompanied by Blackie. Tommy had wanted to take the dog on the boat trip but Miss Peabody had said no.
'Hallo, girls!' Mrs Lazarus greeted them all with pleasure. 'I'm glad somebody doesn't want to give up yet!' Those lovely old blue eyes fixed themselves on Rebecca and sparkled for a moment. She recognized the visit for what it was: an expression of solidarity; a gesture. After all, there were only a few square yards left to dig and even the two students, who'd worked hard and well up to now, were lazing around. Jake was sitting on a rock strumming his guitar while Thomas brewed up some tea on a small camping stove. The whole atmosphere was one of lethargy and listlessness.
But the six set to work with a will. A gesture it might be, and probably a hopeless one; but they only had an hour and they intended to make the most of it.
After they'd been working for a few minutes, to the pleasant sound of Jake's guitar, Mrs Lazarus – who was holding the metal detector quite close to where Rebecca was trowelling – suddenly turned her head.
'Sssh a minute, Jake. I think it's clicking.'
It was.
Charles Lazarus came over with a big spade and dug down, turning up some shovelfuls of spoil. He exchanged affectionate glances with his wife at the sight of the rapt expression on his mother's face. The truth was that the old detector often clicked like this, sometimes for no apparent reason. It wasn't very reliable. But his mother's indomitable spirit was an example to them all.
'Like to look through that lot, Rebecca?'
Delicately Rebecca riddled and sieved.
'I – I think there's something here,' she said at last, very solemnly.
It could be a coin. It was about the right size. It was completely encrusted with caked-on dirt. She started to scratch the dirt off with her fingernail, then it dropped off in one piece. They were all gathering round her.
'It is a coin!' she cried. 'It looks old!'
Clifford Johnson snatched it away from her, polishing it carefully in a soft cloth. He produced a magnifying glass, cradled the coin in the palm of his hand and looked.
'Good grief!'
His face rarely lit up but it now was quite animated. He looked slightly dazed.
'Yes. This is the real thing. No doubt about it.'
The excitement was unbelievable.
Mrs Lazarus was highly elated but she remained calm, as though this were entirely to be expected.
'Can you ring your Director and tell him, Clifford?' she asked. 'I'm sure the Willoughbys will let you use the phone.' She nodded to the rough road that led out of the cove and up to Mulberry Castle. 'He'll be pleased.'
'Pleased? I should think he'll drop everything and drive down here straight away! Oh, Charles,' he turned to Doctor Lazarus, 'I'm sorry I've been such a doubting Thomas, about your work on this. And Lottie – I'm sorry, Lottie.'
'And so you should be.' She caught Rebecca's eye and smiled. 'Shouldn't he?'
'Woof!' barked Blackie and Rebecca laughed.
'Cabro lives!' pronounced Sue.
It was all gloriously exciting.
As the six friends hurried around the headland to get back to camp in time for the children's return, they skipped and danced beside the waves. Everything was turning out so well! Rebecca's mood in particular was one of great joy.
It wasn't going to last.
ELEVEN
SHOCK UPON SHOCK
The news of the find spread quickly round the camp and even Miss Peabody was fascinated by it. Rebecca told Tommy, as soon as the children got back from their pleasure trip. She broke into the long description of Mulberry Island he was starting to give her, to give him the news. He whistled and gave a wide smile of delight.
He was even prepared to overlook the fact that an outing he'd been looking forward to would now be postponed.
Antonia Lazarus came over to the camp after lunch to tell him.
'I'm sorry, Tommy,' she said, taking him by the arm. 'I know we promised to take you out in the car this afternoon, but will tomorrow do instead?'
It seemed that Mr Johnson had been right about his Director. Sir Nicholas Klaus, who had personally authorized the grant for Mrs Lazarus's work in Mulberry Cove for the past two years – and had come to regret it – had reacted to the news with great excitement. He'd ordered the party to spend the rest of the day digging, in particular to excavate to a depth of ten feet around the spot where the first coin had been found. He'd asked Mr Johnson to book him into the Trebizon Bay Hotel for the night. He intended to set off from the Midlands by car immediately and would be with them on site by the end of the afternoon.
Tommy was excited and full of questions.
'Will he be cross if you don't find nuffing more today?'
'No, Tommy, of course he won't!' The young Mrs Lazarus was in a state of euphoria. 'Our case is as good as proven! You see the Romans never settled in this part of the west country. There's no other explanation for that coin being in the cove. Cabro came here, just as Lottie's always maintained! We're prepared to dig for years now, if necessary –'
'Will you get some more money now, Aunty An?'
'I'm sure we will!' She laughed again. 'I don't expect we'll need it, though. The rest of the coins can't be far away. Our calculations – Uncle Charlie's calculations – were spot o
n.'
'I bet Mr Johnson feels a big fool,' said Tommy, with a sly grin.
'I think he does a bit. But he's apologized. Handsomely.'
She crossed to speak to Miss Peabody, over by the camp fire.
'The Willoughbys are planning a little sherry party for Sir Nicholas at six o'clock this evening. Up at the castle. To celebrate our success. You've been so kind, letting the girls come over and help. Could you come? And the house mistress who's in charge of them here –'
'Miss Morgan?'
'Yes. My husband's mother particularly wanted her invited. Could you have a word with her?'
'We could come along together,' said Miss Peabody, with pleasure. Sherry parties at castles were a little outside her normal line of duty. She would never have wanted to go alone. 'Can you hold the fort here, Donald – just for an hour or so?'
Her assistant nodded.
'The principal will take you both in her car, I'm sure,' said Antonia Lazarus. Apparently the Willoughbys, who knew Miss Welbeck well, had already phoned her and she'd accepted.
'I don't think a sherry party is much in your line, Rebecca,' she said with her delicate smile, just before she left the camp, 'but we'll have our own way of saying thank you to you and your friends, you can be quite sure. Perhaps tomorrow.'
Rebecca smiled back. The mood of joy was still with her.
That afternoon, Rebecca and Elf had some shopping to do in town. Miss Peabody gave them a list of things to get at the chemist's shop: the first aid box was running low. They also wanted to get some dog biscuits for Blackie. They were taking him with them, on a lead, just in case he took it into his head to dive across the road.
Tommy wanted to come, too, especially now his outing had been postponed. He'd been refused permission to go and see what was happening at the dig –'You'll get in the way, you silly boy. They're going to be very busy this afternoon!' – and he didn't want to join in the organized activities with the other children.
'Oh, all right then, Tommy,' said Miss Peabody. 'Keep an eye on him, you two.'
So off they all went, wearing anoraks in case it rained.
As they walked along, Tommy became conscious of the knobbly binoculars in his pocket and scowled to himself, hating them more than ever. A heavy burden of guilt settled on his shoulders, only lifting when he saw some big oil tankers way out to sea, as they reached the top road. 'Cor! Look at them ships!'
It was a long walk to town. When they reached the outskirts, Tommy took Blackie on the lead. 'We're goin' to get some biscuits for you, boy!' he said. Then, turning to Rebecca: 'Can we get him a big juicy bone as well with loads uv meat on it?'
'We'll see if we've got any money left,' smiled Rebecca.
They dropped down into the town, with its steep, narrow main street and picturesque old shop frontages. It was crowded with people and traffic, cars and bicycles and buses all mixed up, as today was market day in Trebizon.
They shopped at the chemist, then bought some dog biscuits at another shop. Rebecca had a spare carrier bag with her and handed it to Tommy. She also gave him a pound.
'Blackie's in luck – we have got some money. Look, there's the butcher's, three doors along. Go and see if he'll sell you a bone. Mind you don't lose the change. We'll hang on to Blackie for you.'
Rebecca had seen a dazzling window display. She dragged Blackie over by the lead.
'Look at these swim suits, Elf. Come and see!'
Tommy went to find the butcher's shop. He was about to put the pound in his anorak pocket when his fingers touched the binoculars again; he withdrew his hand quickly, as if scalded. He suddenly felt like screaming. If Rebecca knew he still had them and hadn't sent them back, she'd kill him! He should have sent them back. . . he should have done!
He found the right shop and the butcher wrapped up a huge juicy bone for him and handed him his money back. 'It's all right, son. You can have it on the house.'
But Tommy was staring. He was looking out into the street, through the big plate glass window of the butcher's shop. 'Thanks, mister,' he said, automatically putting the wrapped up bone in his carrier bag.
'What are you staring at, lad? Never seen a bus before?'
It had stopped right outside the shop. Its destination was written on the side, the words dancing hypnotically in front of Tommy's eyes. It was Fate, it must be. Fate was putting him to the test. Telling him what he really ought to do . . .
Suddenly Tommy dived out of the shop; the bus was starting to move away. He managed to leap on board just in time. Then it accelerated and went roaring away down the hill.
'Woof!' barked Blackie, tugging on the lead. He'd seen Tommy dive out of the butcher's shop, carrying an interesting looking bag, and jump on the bus. 'Woof! Woof!'
'Shut up, Blackie!' said Rebecca. She and Elf were still engrossed in the swim suits.
'I like that blue one, with the white edging,' said Elf.
'So do I,' said Rebecca.
'You're lucky,' smiled Elf. 'It'd fit you!'
'What d'you mean lucky?' laughed Rebecca. 'It's fifty pounds.'
'Woof! Woof!' said Blackie, tugging and straining on the lead.
Rebecca dragged her eyes away from the shop window. 'What is it, Blackie?' she frowned.
She looked up and down the street to see what had excited him. She didn't even notice the bus, which had now reached the bottom of Trebizon High Street and was going round the corner out of sight. He seemed to be pulling towards the butcher's shop.
'Maybe he realizes Tommy's in there choosing a bone for him,' Elf giggled.
'Maybe he wants to help choose it!' added Rebecca. 'No, Blackie!' They were getting nearer the shop now. 'Don't you know you can't go in there?'
'Dogs aren't allowed in butcher's shops –'said Elf.
'For very good reasons,' added Rebecca. 'We'll have to wait outside!'
But Blackie didn't seem to want to go in the shop. He suddenly sat down on the pavement, at the spot where he'd seen Tommy jump on the bus, panting eagerly with his tongue hanging out, looking up and down the street.
'Thirsty?' inquired Rebecca.
Blackie got to his feet and started barking again. There was a bus coming slowly down the High Street. It was a different bus, but Blackie wasn't to know that.
'Woof! Woof! Woof!'
Suddenly, to Rebecca's horror, he shot off the pavement with such force that the lead jerked out of her hand. 'Blackie!' she shrieked. He was racing straight into a stream of traffic that was crawling down the hill. 'Blackie – come back this minute!'
Blackie was weaving through the traffic and streaking towards the bus.
A car driver swerved to avoid him. There was a scream of brakes and then – bump! The car behind rammed his bumper. All the way up the hill brakes screamed on and cars banged into each other.
Blackie, oblivious of the trail of disaster he was leaving, had now reached the bus and was trying to scramble on to the platform. 'Oh, no you don't!' A passenger caught him firmly by the collar. 'Whose blamed dog is this, anyway?'
Puffing for breath, Rebecca reached the platform and grabbed hold of Blackie's lead.
'You bad dog,' she said, her cheeks very red.
In the High Street, people were emerging from their cars, doors were slamming, damage was being inspected and voices were becoming shrill. A crowd gathered and then a policeman appeared.
'This is a fine mess,' he told Rebecca. She was holding on to Blackie firmly now. 'That your dog?' He took down all the details of the incident in a notebook. Fortunately nobody had been hurt, but minor dents and scratches on several cars were going to cost a lot to put right.
The policeman's car was parked nearby. At last he snapped his notebook shut:
'If you two young ladies would like to step this way, with your dog, I'd better drive you back to your camp and report this.'
Rebecca's heart sank. Elf was looking around anxiously.
'Where's Tommy?' she said. 'We're supposed to have a little boy with us,
' she told the policeman.
'Oh?' he replied.
The butcher had come out of his shop and was standing on the pavement in his striped apron.
Rebecca questioned him urgently and he said: 'I gave the lad his bone and then he jumped on a bus.'
'On a bus?' exclaimed Rebecca. They both looked at Blackie. So that was it!
The policeman questioned the butcher quietly. Then he escorted the girls and Blackie to his car.
'It's all right, we'll catch him up at Battenbury.'
'Battenbury –?' exclaimed Rebecca.
'Yes, lucky for us Mr Curtis noticed which bus it was. It was a green 'un with Battenbury Nature Park written up on the side.'
'Why on earth should Tommy have done that?' whispered Elf to Rebecca, in despair. 'Given us the slip and jumped on a bus to the nature park?'
'I suppose he just felt like it!' Rebecca whispered back, in fury.
But a few minutes later, she found out the real reason.
The bus had got to Battenbury ahead of them and disgorged all its passengers outside the big ornamental gates to the nature park. As the policeman pulled up behind the bus, Blackie stuck his head out of the car window and started to bark.
Tommy was standing with his back to the gates, idly swinging the bag with the big bone in it.
He didn't notice the car, or Blackie barking at him. He looked blissfully happy. He looked like a small boy who had just had a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
'Tommy!'
Rebecca, Elf and Blackie tumbled out of the car and ran towards him.
'What are you doing here, Tommy? Come on!'
In startled surprise he turned round and stared at them. 'Hey – did you follow me –?' he began.
Suddenly a woman standing by the gates shouted:
'You've left your binoculars behind, sonny.'
She came across with them. Tommy's face turned a deep beetroot red.
'They ain't mine,' he jerked out, then turned his back on her.
'I think they must belong to the nature park,' Rebecca said quickly. 'Perhaps you ought to hand them in at the ticket office.'
'Yes – yes, I will. Sorry. I thought the little boy left them by the gate.'
