Free 100% Hero by Jayne Lyons Page B

else,' Chester
hissed.
    'Mrs Mutton will show you the wooden spoon,'
was all Freddy could mumble.
    'Do you think I'll let an old woman stand in my
way? I'll pull Farfang down if I have to.' Chester shook
his head. 'And if I hear one complaint from Madam
Tarot, then your stinking mongrel pet will be at the
bottom of the moat, where all her kind belong.'
    Freddy was speechless as he took in the meaning of
Chester's words. Priscilla gave a laugh at his stunned
face.
    'Oh, Freddy! Did you really think you were my
hero? You're so-ooo pathetic – you scummy little
poodle.' Priscilla looked down her nose at him as if
he were dirt.
    Freddy had really believed she liked him. He
stepped back in shock and tripped, landing on the
mattress, as Chester slammed and locked the door.
It was a total disaster. His family was in the gravest
danger again.
    'It's all my fault,' Freddy croaked, looking at the
mop buckets. And then the real horror struck him.
'I'm at a ballet school!'

    That night, the wind howled across the hills and rattled
the sign on the iron gates of Drumbogie House.
    'Madam Tarot's Ballet School for Elegant Young
Ladies', it read. But some naughty boys had crossed it
out and written 'Madam Tarot's Ballet School for Total
Sissies'.
    Freddy did not have a good night. He was cold,
miserable and worried for his father, Mrs Mutton and
Batty. Added to his fear for his friend was the shame
he felt when he saw how he had pushed her aside for
Priscilla. The mongrel had been loyal and faithful, but
Freddy had left her behind so that he could impress
such a horrible girl.
    When he thought about Priscilla Puceley, Freddy
went cold with the creeps. How could anyone seem to
be so perfect, and yet be so vile? He had no idea what
the Treasure of Bane was, but he felt sure that the
Puceleys shouldn't have it – somehow he would have
to stop them. He wasn't the Second Greatest Werewolf
Hero Ever for nothing.
    He dropped into a fitful sleep, only to jerk awake
in fright in the very coldest, darkest part of the night.
There was something outside! Freddy climbed onto
the mop bucket and managed to peep out over the
high window ledge into the garden below. His scalp
tightened with fright, and he only just managed to
hold back his shriek.
    In the light of the moon he saw a beautiful pale
woman with long red hair and a green dress, which
was billowing behind her in the howling wind. She
seemed almost to float, so elegantly did she move over
the lawn. She drifted towards a stone archway in the
wall. The dust on the window ledge started to irritate
Freddy's nose. He gave an explosive sneeze.
    The lady stopped immediately. Her eyes flew to
him, piercing fire through the dark. The whites turned
a ghastly blood-red colour and then her black pupils
grew to fill her sockets, the fire still burning bright
behind them. She started to smile, and then sped
towards him like an arrow, her arms reaching out.
Freddy dropped to the floor, shaking with fright. He
froze – he was sure he could hear a woman's laughter
and fingernails scraping on the window pane.
    'No!' a deep, throaty voice growled. 'Leave this
place!'
    And that was all Freddy heard, for he clamped
his hands over his ears, and closed his eyes. This was
far worse than Coldfax: at least then he had Batty to
comfort him. How much braver he felt when she was
with him.

C HAPTER T HIRTEEN
Ballet School for Total Sissies

    Chester arose early the next morning, for he had a
journey to make and a man to visit. His goodbyes
with his daughter were to the point.
    'He must not leave here, so watch him like a hawk.
If he tries any funny business, call me. I'll know what
to do.'
    'But, Papa, how long must I stay in this dump?'
Priscilla sulked, looking around. It was the height of
summer, and yet the house was freezing.
    'Until I have pulled that castle apart – at least a
week, princess. Now, be Papa's brave girl.'
    Priscilla smiled. Of course she