‘If I was going to take one of you along,’ said Ed, scanning the row of kids, ‘and I’m not saying I am, which of you would it be?’

‘I’m no good,’ said Skinner. ‘And Fish-Face is too shy.’

‘That leaves …’ Ed looked at Trinity.

‘Us, I’m afraid.’ Both of them nodded, grinning. ‘Reckon you can squeeze us in?’

‘I was thinking I could maybe take one more.’ Ed was already picturing how cramped it was going to be in the car. ‘No offence, but you’re more like two, if not three. And Ebenezer ain’t gonna like it.’

‘We’ll charm him.’

‘You’re gonna have to. Guy’s a bit of a fundamentalist. Thinks you lot are an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. This is going to be one interesting trip.’

‘Well now, you wouldn’t want life to get boring, would you?’ said Trey.

‘As a matter of fact,’ said Ed, ‘I would. I’d like nothing more. A boring, boring life in which nothing happened. But you know what? I’ve had to accept that that is not gonna happen. So let’s get this show on the road.’

Chapter 34

34

‘You’re too bony, girl, you’re digging into my ribs like a bag of knives. It’s like sitting next to a skeleton.’

‘Yeah, well, at least I don’t stink like a sicko. Jeez, you got no soap at the Tower? Or do you just bathe in pig scat?’

‘Oh, you’d know about that, wouldn’t you? I heard you used to go out with a pig.’

‘Oh, that is so funny, I almost laughed.’

‘Shut it, you two,’ Ed shouted from the front seat.

It had been like this all the way from the museum. Brooke and Macca getting at each other like a couple of little kids bickering. Ed like a fed-up dad, getting crosser and crosser. He was beginning to wish he’d left Macca behind. It had almost happened. He’d gone from having not enough people to having too many. Macca had offered to give up his seat, but Will had persuaded him not to and volunteered to stay behind himself. He’d pointed out that Macca was better in a fight than him. Will said he’d be more use at the museum working with Einstein.

Ed had reluctantly agreed with him. He relied on Will, who was sensible and bright, but if it came to a fight Macca was definitely the stronger of the two. Ed just wished he wasn’t such a pain in the arse sometimes.

‘You tell him to behave himself,’ said Brooke. ‘He’s being a prick.’

‘Takes one to know one,’ said Macca.