One of the participants made a strange noise, and then threw up on the table in front of her. Others made pained noises, or gasped. There were quite a lot of scraping sounds as more people were eliminated. Wolf looked around. Only he and Lucy were left.

14

LEXY WAS RELIEVED WHEN they emerged out in the street near the hospital where Maximilian’s mum worked. Everyone had been quiet for the last few minutes as they followed Festus through the complex passageways, with their candles flickering and making great shadows dance on the walls.

By the time Lexy got in it was almost six o’clock.

“There she is!” said Hazel.

“At last,” said Marcel.

“I told you she’d turn up,” said JP, wryly. “Children always do.”

Lexy took in the scene before her. Something seemed curiously upside-down about it. Why were her parents both dressed in their best clothes? Marcel was wearing his favorite patchwork waistcoat that Hazel had made for him on their tenth wedding anniversary. And Hazel almost looked normal in a long black dress and mismatched glittery earrings. Meanwhile, JP seemed to be dressed for a comfortable night in. He was wearing gray marled tracksuit bottoms with a sloppy black sweater, and his pompadour, while still upright, was the least extravagant Lexy had ever seen it. Buttons was weaving around Hazel’s and Marcel’s legs in a worried sort of way.

Lexy began to get a horrible feeling deep in her stomach.

“Well,” said Marcel. “Shall we?”

“Where are you going?” said Lexy.

“Have you forgotten the date?” said Marcel. “It’s our anniversary. And for once we can actually go out. JP has very kindly offered to babysit.”

“I’m eleven,” said Lexy. “I don’t need babysitting.”

“Well we’ll talk about that some other time perhaps,” said Marcel. “But tonight you’re going to be—”

“Maybe the little lady can babysit me?” said JP charmingly. “If that makes her feel better. No one as mature as Lexy should need supervision, I agree. But I would certainly be very happy if she would consent to keep me company for the evening.”

“Why on earth are you making that face?” Hazel said to Lexy.

Lexy had been trying to indicate to her mother that she shouldn’t be left alone here, with this terrible man. But it hadn’t worked.

“Got a headache, little lady?” said JP. “I know just the remedy for that.” He winked.

“We’re going to be late,” said Marcel. “I’ve left money for takeaway. And you can get a video as well if you like. I’ve put extra money on the electric. Just don’t forget to rewind the tape afterward.”

“But that takes extra electricity,” said Hazel.

“Yes, but we can’t leave it to the next people, or the shop.”

“Everyone else does,” said Hazel.