Dead Gorgeous

by Malorie Blackman

  So as long as I didn’t get lost . . . but I wouldn’t. And if I did, I’d just call out until someone heard me, so I wasn’t in danger. OK, I shouldn’t have been in the tunnels in the first place but I could argue about that afterwards. The quarrel I’d had with Dad last night had been a scorcher – by both our standards. But if I could want to go home and face Dad, then I could face anything.

  I started walking again, my hands out in front of me. I had to be only seconds away from the exit. I’d feel the rope ladder and be out before I could string five thoughts together. No problem. I shook my torch and tried switching it on and off again. Nothing. Then I dropped it.

  ‘Hell!’ The word exploded into the darkness around me.

  I squatted down to fumble around in the dirt for my torch. I swept my hand across the dirt in ever-increasing arcs. My hand swept over something small and furry – and moving. Instantly, I drew back my hand, wiping it on my jeans. I couldn’t help the shudder that ricocheted through me. I didn’t even want to know what that was. My feet swivelled on the dry earth as I felt around again. Stupid Josh must’ve been playing with my torch and drained the batteries. My lips thinned into a angry frown. ‘Just wait till I get hold of you, Josh,’ I muttered.

  At last I found the torch. I had to really stretch out to get it. It must’ve rolled away from me. But as I straightened up, I realized instinctively that I wasn’t facing in exactly the same direction. My feet had moved slightly to the right. So all I had to do was move them a quarter turn to the left. Too much or too little? I couldn’t be that off track. Just keep going. Whatever happens, just keep going.

  I wanted to go home. I wasn’t afraid, but these tunnels were like a maze, with tunnels off more tunnels, and I didn’t want to get lost in the darkness. I carried on walking. I was OK. Just walk in a straight line back to the tunnel entrance. See! Easy!

  Crack!

  I stopped in my tracks and looked straight up. What was that?

  Cra-a-ck! What felt like dry rain fell over my face. I leapt back and wiped the dirt and dust from out of my eyes. There was that sound again. And then panic grabbed me. And all I wanted to do was run. Move. Get out of there – as fast as I could. I started running. But before I could take more than three strides, the cracking sound turned into a deafening roar and the rain of dust and dirt was just the start of something far worse. I hit the ground, trying to protect my head with my arms as the world fell on top of me and all I knew was darkness and the sound of thunder. And then the world changed from pitch black to a cold, ice white which blinded me and froze every part of my body until I shattered into a million pieces.

  19. Liam

  Liam stood outside the toilet cubicle listening to the sounds of someone inside being violently sick. He shook his head, his frown cutting into his cheeks as he listened. It was like clockwork. Within half an hour of every meal time, she’d be in here, making herself vomit. He could set his watch by her – if it’d been working instead of permanently stuck at 10.37.

  What was the matter with her family? Couldn’t her mum and dad see what was going on? Didn’t they notice the pattern to her eating? Insisting on certain foods with every meal and always eating them first. Always guzzling orange juice or fizzy drinks after eating. Disappearing after every meal and then reappearing a little while later to look listless and sombre. Being tired all the time. The signs were all there. And then there was the bingeing on snack foods. She’d sneak up to her room with two or three packets of crisps or a packet of custard creams or fruit shortcake biscuits, followed half an hour later by the famous disappearing act into her favourite toilet cubicle. Liam was sure that if he were her dad or one of her brothers, he’d have been very suspicious about her behaviour. OK, so her mum and dad were busy running the hotel, but that was a reason, not an excuse.

  Liam shook his head again. The toilet was flushed and the sound was followed by a racking cough. Then came the sound of more retching. Liam turned away in disgust. He couldn’t stay there all day listening to her cough her guts out – he had things to do. There had to be some way to solve his problem without involving her. But how? Liam faded out slowly, shaking his head.

  Time was running out.

  20. Dinner

  ‘Can I get you anything else, Andrew?’ asked Raye.

  ‘No thanks,’ Andrew smiled. ‘And please say thanks to your mum and dad for such a delicious meal.’

  ‘Yes, it was,’ Mr Stanley chorused.

  ‘It was lovely,’ Mrs Stanley agreed after a pointed look from her husband.

  ‘I’ll tell Mum. It’ll make a change, someone actually enjoying her cooking!’ said Raye.

  Andrew’s smile was warm as Raye gathered up his plate. She stood beside him, returning his smile with interest as they regarded each other.

  ‘Raye, I think we’ve finished as well,’ said Mr Stanley gently.

  Raye forced her eyes away. ‘Yes, of course.’ Reluctantly she moved away from Andrew and continued round the table.

  ‘Any chance of us getting our dessert before I’m too old to have the teeth left to chew it?’ Miss Eve called from an adjacent table.

  ‘There’s no hurry.’ Miss Dawn smiled sympathetically at Raye.

  ‘I’ll be right there,’ Raye promised. Very professionally, she gathered up the rest of the plates on Andrew’s table and turned to head for the door.

  ‘Remind me to come back as a boy next time,’ Miss Eve grumbled. ‘Then I might actually get some pudding from that girl this side of Christmas.’

  Raye turned to glare at her, before she carried on out of the dining room. Andrew leapt up and ran across to her.

  ‘Let me get that door for you,’ he said.

  ‘Thanks.’ Raye’s smile was dazzling.

  Andrew held open the dining-room door, despite the fact that it swung open with the lightest push.

  ‘Thanks again,’ said Raye, wishing she could think of something more scintillating to say.

  ‘Would you like to go for a walk with me some time tomorrow?’ asked Andrew.

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Maybe down to the beach?’

  ‘That’d be lovely,’ Raye enthused. Her face fell. ‘But I’ve got to help around the hotel in the afternoon and then I’ve got to finish my homework so I can probably only get away straight after breakfast.’

  ‘That’s fine with me,’ Andrew nodded. ‘I’ll meet you just outside the hotel?’

  ‘It’s a date.’ Raye’s smile shone out.

  ‘It’s a date,’ Andrew agreed and headed back to his mum and dad’s table.

  Raye did her best not to grin from ear to ear. If Mum saw she’d instantly start asking questions. Raye bustled into the kitchen, her tray stacked with dirty dinner plates, most of which were surprisingly empty. Nova was at the table, preparing more desserts while Mum refilled the coffee machine with fresh coffee grounds.

  ‘Your pie is going down well,’ Raye told Mum.

  ‘It is, isn’t it?’ Mum looked dubiously at the two slices of pie she had left in the baking tray. More often than not, she made two trays-worth of food and at least one tray was still left over at the end of the evening. She’d have to try that tinned lamb as a pie filling again.

  ‘Miss Eve wants her dessert,’ said Raye.

  ‘Over there on the counter.’ Mum pointed.

  Raye picked up a clean tray and placed two bowls of peach and raspberry strudel on it – one with custard from a tin, one with soft scoop vanilla ice cream.

  ‘Nova, can you manage that coffee for Mr Jackman?’ asked Raye.

  ‘No problem.’

  ‘He’s in the alcove,’ Raye told her.

  ‘Why d’you put him in there?’ Mum turned to Raye.

  ‘I didn’t seat him. Nova did,’ Raye defended herself.

  ‘Before you have a go at me, he asked for it specifically,’ said Nova. ‘Said he wanted some privacy.’

  ‘There’s a surprise,’ Raye muttered.

  Nova shook her head. ‘I wonder w
hat’s wrong with the poor man. I feel sorry for him.’

  ‘Why?’ Raye was scornful. ‘It’s his choice not to make friends with anyone.’

  ‘Maybe it’s not that simple —’ Nova began.

  ‘Oh, Nova, don’t start!’ Raye begged. ‘You’re always trying to create mysteries around people. He’s just an anti-social loner, so let’s leave him alone.’

  ‘I was only saying,’ Nova huffed. ‘No need to jump down my throat.’

  Raising her eyebrows in exasperation, Raye gathered up a number of dessert menus and headed out of the kitchen, followed by her sister. They both entered the dining room and split like a fork in the road to hand out their various items. Nova concentrated on the coffee on her small tray, determined not to spill a drop. A quick glance up to make sure she wasn’t about to trip over anyone’s leg or bag, and she made her way to Mr Jackman’s table. The dining room was L-shaped, with a secluded booth at the end of the alcove that formed the shorter section of the room. Mum liked everyone to mix and mingle and never seated anyone in the alcove unless nothing else was available. But Mr Jackman always asked for the alcove table when he ate in the dining room with the other guests, which wasn’t often. Nova kept her head down, her eyes still focused on her coffee. She turned the corner and made her way down to the last table. It was only when she’d dodged past the only other unoccupied table in the alcove that she glanced up again – and stopped dead in her tracks.

  Liam was sitting opposite Mr Jackman at his table.

  ‘Liam, what. . .?’ Nova’s lips snapped together. She had to remember not to talk to him in front of other people.

  Mr Jackman stared at her. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  Mr Jackman sprang to his feet. ‘What did you say?’ he urged.

  Nova stared at him. She glanced at Liam, who vigorously shook his head. ‘I just said . . . erm . . . what. . . what did you order to drink? I just wanted to check I’ve brought this coffee to the right table.’

  Mr Jackman slowly sat down again. ‘Oh, I see.’

  Nova was glad he did, because she didn’t. ‘Is something wrong, Mr Jackman?’

  ‘I thought you said . . . something else.’

  ‘What?’

  Mr Jackman shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter. The coffee is mine.’

  ‘There you are.’ Nova put the cup and saucer down on the table, adding a small jug of milk and a tiny bowl of brown and white sugar cubes. It was so hard to carry on as if there was nothing unusual happening with Liam sitting there watching her every move.

  ‘Nova, I need your help. You can’t let him leave the hotel tonight. You must find a way to stop him,’ Liam urged.

  ‘What?’ Nova wasn’t sure if she’d heard correctly.

  ‘I didn’t say anything,’ said Mr Jackman.

  ‘D’you understand me, Nova? He plans to leave the hotel as soon as he’s finished his coffee. You mustn’t let him,’ Liam pleaded.

  ‘How am I meant to do that?’

  ‘Who’re you talking to?’ Mr Jackman turned his head to where Nova was looking. ‘Who’s there?’

  ‘I—’

  Mr Jackman grabbed Nova’s arm. ‘It’s him, isn’t it? I know it’s him. I can feel him.’

  ‘You’re hurting me.’ Nova tried to pull away.

  ‘Tell me who you’re talking to!’ Mr Jackman demanded.

  ‘Let her go!’ Liam sprang up, furious.

  ‘Liam . . .’ Mr Jackman immediately let go of Nova’s arm. He stared directly at Liam, his eyes huge, his mouth open and slack with stunned surprise. ‘Liam . . .’

  Without warning Liam swept the coffee across the table into Mr Jackman’s lap.

  ‘Ahh!’ Mr Jackman yelled and sprang up like a scalded cat, pulling his hot, soaking trousers away from his skin and hopping from foot to foot.

  ‘What on earth . . .?’ Raye appeared round the corner and took in the situation at one glance. ‘Nova, what on earth d’you think you’re doing?’ she asked furiously, rushing over. ‘I’m so sorry, Mr Jackman. Nova, how could you be so clumsy?’

  ‘I didn’t do it,’ Nova said indignantly.

  ‘I suppose Mr Jackman did it to himself,’ Raye fumed.

  ‘Don’t worry about it,’ Mr Jackman said through gritted teeth, pulling the fabric of his trousers away from his thighs.

  ‘We’ll pay to have your trousers cleaned,’ Raye said quickly.

  ‘I didn’t do it,’ Nova repeated, glaring at Liam.

  Liam wasn’t looking at her though, or at Mr Jackman. His eyes were on Raye, with the strangest look on his face that Nova had ever seen. Liam waved a tentative hand in front of Raye’s face. Raye didn’t bat an eyelid. She obviously couldn’t see him. His expression changed, swinging between acceptance and disappointment like a pendulum. Mr Jackman looked around, looking straight through Liam, looking past him, looking without any real focus. And Nova realized that Mr Jackman could no longer see him.

  ‘Is he still here?’ Mr Jackman asked.

  Nova regarded him. How should she answer? She didn’t want to answer. Mr Jackman had called Liam by his first name. How did this man know him? Who was he? And why was Liam so frightened of him? Or was it frightened for him? It was hard to tell.

  ‘Is he here?’ Mr Jackman insisted.

  ‘Is who here?’ asked Raye.

  Nova looked across to where Liam was standing. Liam shook his head frantically at her.

  ‘Is he?’ Mr Jackman asked Nova again, ignoring her sister.

  Nova nodded. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Where?’

  Nova pointed.

  ‘Prove it.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Ask him who owned our house,’ Mr Jackman suggested intently.

  ‘Nova, what’s he talking about?’ frowned Raye.

  Nova turned to Liam, but he had eyes for no one but Mr Jackman. Raye looked from Nova to Mr Jackman in turn, completely baffled. ‘Would someone please tell me what’s going on?’ she asked.

  ‘It was my house,’ Liam said at last. ‘Mum left it to me.’

  ‘Liam says it was his. His mum left it to him,’ answered Nova.

  The silence that followed was only broken by the merest of sighs from Mr Jackman.

  ‘Who’s Liam?’ asked Raye, irritated. ‘The boy I met earlier?’

  ‘You’ve met him?’ Nova asked, astounded. ‘So you saw him?’

  ‘Of course I saw him, but he’s gone now.’

  ‘I’ve wanted so much to find him. I’ve waited so long. But I never gave up hope. I always knew I’d find him – one day’ Mr Jackman didn’t look happy at the prospect though. Far from it.

  ‘My turn now,’ said Liam suddenly. ‘Nova, tell him I saw the letter he was writing this afternoon. Tell him he won’t succeed and all he’ll do is put himself in danger if he goes through with it.’

  ‘Through with what?’ Nova asked.

  ‘Just tell him!’ Liam roared.

  ‘Excuse me all over the place!’ Nova glared, before turning back to Mr Jackman. ‘Liam says he saw what you were writing earlier. He says that you won’t succeed and all you’ll do is put yourself in danger – so don’t do it!’

  Mr Jackman turned in what he thought was Liam’s general direction. ‘It’s the only way I’ll be able to find you,’ he said.

  Nova could tell that Mr Jackman couldn’t see Liam and was just guessing at his location, but his expression was indescribable. Such hope and misery and joy and despair warring with each other for dominance on his face.

  ‘Liam, I have to find you. I can’t think of anything else.’

  ‘Nova, tell him to go home. Tell him I don’t want him here,’ said Liam, adding to, and for, himself, ‘He can’t do anything for me. No one can.’

  ‘Look, what am I? An answering machine?’

  ‘Please, just tell him,’ said Liam, suddenly looking dog tired.

  ‘Mr Jackman, he wants you to go home. He thinks you should leave here now,’ Nova said, unable to kee
p a trace of resentment from creeping into her voice.

  ‘Have you all gone loopy or what?’ said Raye belligerently. ‘Nova, if you’ve got together with Mr Jackman or that stupid Liam to wind me up for a joke, then I can tell you now, I’m not laughing.’

  ‘Raye, I never—’

  ‘Save it!’ Raye turned and strode off without another word.

  ‘I’m not leaving, Liam. Not without you,’ said Mr Jackman, looking in Liam’s approximate direction.

  ‘And that, Nova, is why I didn’t want him to know I was here in the first place,’ Liam told her bitterly.

  ‘Don’t blame me.’ Nova tried to defend herself.

  ‘Whose fault is it then? If you weren’t such a Mouth Almighty, he might’ve given up and gone home.’

  ‘You’re the one who just poured coffee in his lap.’ Nova couldn’t believe her ears.

  ‘Liam, what happened? I need to know,’ urged Mr Jackman.

  Casting a look at Nova that could kill, Liam faded from view. Nova sighed. So much for trying to help.

  ‘He’s . . . he’s gone, hasn’t he?’ Mr Jackman said slowly.

  ‘Yes,’ Nova replied.

  ‘I mean it,’ Mr Jackman told her fiercely. ‘I’m not leaving this hotel without him. If he wants to get rid of me, he’ll have to tell me what I want to know. Next time you see him, you tell him that.’

  And with that, Mr Jackman marched past Nova and out of the dining room.

  21. Liam

  I got up slowly. For a terrifying moment, I had no idea where I was. No idea what the darkness around me could be. Where was I? I did have my eyes open, didn’t I? I blinked a couple of times to make sure. And then I remembered.

  The cave-in.

  I looked around again. I still couldn’t see anything. It was much too dark. But then an odd thing happened. The tunnels got strangely lighter. But not with daylight or even moonlight. This was like something I’d never seen before. It was like lying in my bed at home when it was dead dark and dead quiet, and slowly but surely being able to make out the outlines and the familiar silhouettes of the things around me. Only here, in this tunnel, I could see more clearly and more in focus than I ever could before – and it was all in the dark.