Free Invitation to a Stranger by Margaret Pearce Page B

not beef cattle. Was that a slip of the tongue or did he really mean something more sinister? She shivered.
    â€œBeen outside too long,” Mrs. Campion scolded. “You’re chilled right through.”

 
    Chapter N ineteen
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    At school the next morning, Katie was morose. “I asked Dad about a job for Drake, but he just said to get him to put in a C.V. and he would see whether he could help him.”
    â€œDid you find any ammonia at your place?” Ronnie asked.
    Katie cheered up. “No problems, there’s a bottle in the laundry. Mum said that she uses it as a cleaner. So why would it wake people up?”
    â€œMy Mum said that in the old days they used to wave it under the noses of people who fainted,” Ronnie reported.
    â€œI’ve been thinking,” Katie continued. “Not much use rescuing the kids and whoever else they’ve captured if they can steal them back again.”
    â€œDrake said the only way they could be destroyed was by fire,” Ronnie reminded her.
    â€œIf we set the Castle Street place on fire the fire brigade would be down there within minutes,” Ronnie said. “The fire brigade is just around the corner from that street.”
    â€œThe locals at Munawala were lucky they could get the Demento place burned down without a fire brigade turning up,” Katie grumbled.
    â€œBut we don’t live in the back blocks of Munawala,” Ronnie pointed out. “There must be another way of getting rid of them.”
    She lowered her voice. “Do you remember Drake saying his family raised meat cattle and not beef cattle?”
    " Still sounds like vampires to me,” Katie whispered.
    â€œMy Mum says there are no such things,” Ronnie whispered back.
    â€œJust suppose that they sleep all day, like vampires,” Ronnie said. “We shouldn’t have any trouble getting all their captives out.”
    â€œExcept Mr. Demonto was awake during the day,” Katie said.
    â€œWe’ve only got a few days,” Ronnie worried. “Do you think we should tell Will and Jeff about it all?”
    â€œThey wouldn’t believe us anyway,” Katie said. “Jeff is pretty solid, but there is no way he would believe in vampires.”
    â€œDrake said they aren’t vampires,” Ronnie retorted. “And whatever they are, Jeff won’t believe.”
    â€œNeither will Will,” Katie confessed with a sigh. “We are on our own.”
    The bell went for Assembly, so they grabbed their bags and ran into place, their faces screwed into identical worried frowns that stayed on their faces right through the day.
    â€œI’ve been thinking,” Katie said as they headed to Ronnie’s place that afternoon.
    â€œSo ?” Ronnie asked.
    â€œDrake must hate his kin if he wants them incinerated.”
    â€œHe did look as if he was scared of his Dad,” Ronnie said.
    â€œScared enough to hope that someone, namely two fourteen year old girls, could kill his only rellies, his father, his grandfather and his two cousins?”
    â€œKill or murder?” Ronnie whispered. “I can’t believe we’re having this discussion.”
    â€œDo you believe your little brother Jamie and his mate Herbie are in great danger, and according to Drake, the entire district could be in danger?”
    Ronnie thought about her mother’s permanently red eyes and Jasmine’s blank face when they had visited. She shivered. “I believe . ”
    â€œGlad you came straight home,” Mrs. Campion said with relief as they walked in. “I’ve made muffins for your afternoon tea.”
    â€œThanks Mum,” Ronnie said. “We’re going to have it in the tree house.”
    â€œI’ll put the hot chocolate into a thermos flask for you,” Mrs. Campion said. “Don’t stay up there until you are chilled again.”
    The two girls took their muffins and two thermos flasks