Free Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers by Tim Bradley

right in there?’ whispered Arnie, pressing his head lightly against the wall.
    Thomas didn’t reply.
    â€˜I will come back,’ he said to himself as he turned round to leave the room.
    He jumped. Emily was standing there.
    â€˜Where have you been?’
    â€˜I haven’t
been
anywhere,’ she said innocently.
    â€˜Really?’ said Arnie puzzled.
    â€˜Yes! I’ve seen
everything
. I finished laying the fire, turned round and the room seemed to change all around me. You were still asleep but soon woke. I wanted to speak but something stopped me like I was trapped in a sort of bubble – couldn’t even reach out. All I could do was listen and follow. Until now.’
    â€˜Why would that happen?’ said Arnie, as they left the room quickly – him locking the door and pocketing the key.
    â€˜I don’t know – but thinking about it…’
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜â€¦what if I can only be
with
you when you really need me?’
    â€˜How do you mean?’ he said.
    â€˜Well, like now with Thomas when things get a bit sticky – a nudge in the right direction?’
    â€˜You’re to help out when I’m stuck?’
    â€˜Maybe. That’s what it looks like.’
    â€˜I can cope quite all right – thanks a lot!’ said Arnie, folding his arms.
    â€˜Ok. So what are you going to do now?’
    â€˜I haven’t decided yet…I’m thinking,’ said Arnie obstinately.
    Emily peered out of the landing window. ‘Well you had better be quick. Look!’
    Several men had formed a little group on the lawn and were talking. They flashed their lamps towards the house.
    â€˜I think we might get paid a visit. Any minute!’
    â€˜I’m
still
thinking,’ said Arnie struggling, ‘but…as you’re here and I’m not quite sure what the best plan is at this moment…what would you suggest we do?’ As an option!’
    Emily walked a little way along the landing – her mind turning.
    â€˜Well it’s Thomas they’ve come for,’ she said gravely.
    Arnie’s face fell. ‘We can’t hand him over!’ he said, moving across to her.
    â€˜No?’ Emily looked blank. ‘Why not? It might be for the best.’
    â€˜What?’ said Arnie completely thrown.
    â€˜Well he has broken the law.’
    â€˜But…he’s terrified!’
    â€˜I know, he’s a criminal on the wanted list! Traitor some might say.’
    â€˜But he was made to run away. It’s horrible out there – killing and blood and everything. How would you like it?’
    â€˜I wouldn’t!’ she admitted, ‘But it wasn’t me that signed up to go to war.’
    â€˜But he didn’t realise what it would do to him. How could he?’
    â€˜And that’s a good excuse for packing it in? What would happen if everyone thought like him, I mean, where would we be then? Occupied that’s what! Invaded by foreigners!’
    â€˜Emily!’ he cried.
    â€˜I’m only looking at it from the other side of things,’ she said calmly. ‘I don’t want to be uncharitable – but this is bad.’
    â€˜But I promised!’
    â€˜It’s
dangerous
Arnie. If he’s caught hiding here then we are in for it! I’m just explaining the risks.’
    â€˜What risks?’
    â€˜We could get hurt – those men out there are determined to get what they want, can’t you see?’
    â€˜I just wanted to help!’
    â€˜I know you do,’ she said coolly. Her eyes became still. ‘We could perhaps…’
    Arnie raised his eyebrows. ‘What?’
    â€˜â€¦give him a sporting chance? Help him to get out of here unseen and then…it’s up to him.’
    â€˜You’d do that?’
    Emily smiled. ‘Of course I will. We’re both in this together aren’t we?’
    Arnie nodded quickly.
    Emily looked back