Free The Bonehill Curse by Jon Mayhew

go.
    She emerged on to a busy street. The brightness and bustle dazzled her after the dank closeness of the alleyways. Street sellers of all kinds called out their wares as people pushed past them. Carriages rattled across the cobbles. Someone yelled at a careless pedestrian who had nearly stepped out in front of a cab. Ness’s heart sank. London was so big and busy. She didn’t have the first idea where Gladwell Gardens were. It was all very well knowing an address, but another thing altogether trying to find it.
    She leaned against a shop window, watching all of London life pass by. She could hear her father’s voice echoing in her head.
    ‘The common herd,’ he used to say. ‘Remember, Necessity, you are better than them. You are my daughter. Mine.’
    ‘You are special,’ her mother had told her repeatedly.
    Then why dump me in the Academy and pretend that I died? she thought bitterly.
    A sudden movement caught Ness’s eye. Azuli stood only a few feet away from her, glancing around and scratching his head. He winced and put a hand to his bruised chin, making her smirk. He turned and stared right through her. Ness ducked into the crowd but Azuli still stood perplexed, scanning the passers-by for any sign of her.
    He must have seen me , she thought, hurrying along the street. He looked right at me.
    Something clinked in her sack as she bustled through the crowd. She stopped and frowned, opening it. A few pennies lay nestled next to the slab of bread Suha had put in. Ness shook her head. She didn’t think Jabalah or Suha could afford to give away money but she could hardly refuse it. Why are they so generous when they’re clearly so poor? Ness wondered. I’ll repay them when I find Mama and Father .
    Checking the drivers closely, Ness approached a cab stand and soon found herself rattling towards Gladwell Gardens.
     
    Henry Lumm’s house was grand and imposing. Black railings stood as sharp sentries along the front of the white stone building. The windows frowned out at Ness, daring her to set one foot on the steps that swept up to the shiny, black front door. Ness glanced around her. Her grubby skirt and stained jacket stood out in this street full of smart carriages and silken-clad ladies twirling parasols against the feeble spring sunshine.
    Lumm was a friend of her father’s but Ness had no real memories of him. Now she stood at his front door about to throw herself on his mercy. Would he even believe her? What if he thought she was dead too? Ness drew a deep breath. There was nothing for it but to knock.
    Clambering up the steps, Ness paused. The front door stood slightly ajar. Perhaps the last visitor had forgotten to shut it on their way out.
    ‘Hello?’ she called, pushing on the heavy door. It creaked ominously, making Ness catch her breath.
    The smell of polish and the ticking of a huge grandfather clock reassured Ness as she poked her head around the door. Her boots clicked on the woodblock floor as she glanced about. Doors stood to her left and right. A richly carpeted stairway led up into a shadowy landing. The hall lay deserted but a brass bell sat on a squat mahogany table. Stepping in, Ness closed the door behind her and rang the bell.
    The ring sounded shrill and far too loud in the quiet house, making her wince. She waited, twisting her fingers nervously. Where is everyone? Surely Henry Lumm would have an army of staff, judging by his house. Ness wanted to call out again but the thought of her voice drifting up into the seemingly empty house stopped her. She pushed open the side door to her left and peered into the room.
    It was a study of some kind. Books lined the shelves and a huge globe stood in the middle of the room. With a jolt, she realised that a figure sat with their back to Ness.
    ‘Excuse me,’ Ness began as she edged over to the figure. ‘I’m sorry for the intrusion but the door was open.’
    The figure didn’t turn around. Ness could see a shiny scalp through thinning