I looked down at my traitorous hands and noticed a single spark flickering at the tip of my left index finger. Apart from fiends, I thought; fiends didn’t deserve a damned thing.
Hugo was staring at me.‘You saved us,’ he said.
I wasn’t convinced they’d needed saving – Baudi would probably have released them before too long – but I agreed anyway. There was no harm in receiving Hugo’s eternal gratitude. ‘Not only did I save you, but I also found the treasure all on my own.’ I pulled out the little golden skull. ‘Go me.’
‘Go you indeed.’
I suppressed a grin. ‘I’m a treasure hunterextraordinaire, Hugo, and it’s not the first time your arse hasneeded rescuing. It won’t be the last, either. Honestly, you’re lucky you’ve got me around.’
He snorted. ‘I’ve saved your arse too.’
‘I’m in the lead. I’ve saved you more times than you’ve saved me.’
He stepped towards me. ‘So we’re keeping track now?’ He scanned my face then continued lightly, ‘Because none of us would have been in this situation if you weren’t so determined to help Gordon.’
Yeah, alright. I could admit it. ‘Fine. It was my fault. No good deed goes unpunished.’
‘We’re even, then.’
I rolled my eyes.
‘Say it, Daisy.’
‘Can’t you just admit that I’m better?’
He folded his arms, his eyes dancing, and I shook my head in mock irritation. ‘We’re even,’ I muttered.
He smiled with satisfaction and headed in the direction – and relative safety – of the path. My amusement ebbed away. ‘I’ll always come and save you, Hugo,’ I whispered. He didn’t look around and I wasn’t sure that he’d heard me.
‘Can we leave now?’ Hester demanded. ‘I want to get as far away from this place as we can.’
‘Lead the way.’ I turned and waved at Baudi, who was eyeing us from the centre of the clearing. ‘Stay in touch,’ I told her. ‘Let me know if you have any problems.’
Otis gave me an approving nod. Miriam, Slim and Becky managed tight smiles in Baudi’s direction, and then we left.
We drovethrough the night and arrived outside Gordon Mackenzie’s little house on the fringes of Edinburgh at thesame time as the postman. I yawned and watched as he slipped a collection of letters through the door, then I glanced at Hugo.
‘You should come in with me,’ I said. ‘This was your treasure hunt as much as mine.’ I gestured to the Jeep behind us. ‘I’m sure that Gordon would be happy to see Miriam, Becky and Slim, too. We all had a hand to play in retrieving the skull for him.’
Hugo turned off the engine, took the keys out of the ignition and fiddled with them. It was the only hint that he was concerned about what would happen next. ‘You’re the one who did the heavy lifting,’ he said. ‘And I don’t think Gordon will want me inside his home – he’s nervous enough as it is. It’s best if you hand over the skull on your own.’ The keys jangled in his hands.
‘It’s your call,’ I said. I was disappointed but I understood. ‘I’ll make sure he tells me what the skull does and what will happen next. This is your story, Hugo, not mine.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s not my story, and it’s not yours either. Neither is it Gordon’s. This tale belongs to Lady Rose. Maybe this will finally shed light on what happened to her.’ He sounded doubtful.
‘Your parents—’ I began.
He interrupted me. ‘Let’s not go there. Let’s wait and see what happens with the skull first.’
I gave a tiny nod then, without thinking, I leaned across and brushed my lips against his stubbled cheek. ‘I won’t be long,’ I promised.
He gazed into my eyes. ‘You smell of stinky marsh. He won’twantyou to stay for long.’
I laughed. ‘You smell worse.’
‘I can’t argue with that.’
I stepped out. Otis and Hester came with me. ‘Hugo’s notcoming but we can, right?’ Otis asked. ‘I want to see why this skull is so special.’
