Behind the Sorcerer's Cloak Read Online Free Page B

said nothing. She flung her arms around Mr. Smythe and gave him an enormous hug.
    The tips of his ears went pink. He patted Holly’s back. “I just took advantage of an unexpected opportunity, my dears,” he said. “But what about Chantel’s mother?”
    â€œIgnore the phone,” said Owen.
    â€œWe can’t do that,” protested Holly. “It’s Chantel’s mum.”
    â€œYes, we can,” insisted Owen. “She always makes Chantel cry by going on and on about the divorce.”
    â€œChantel will want to talk to her,” insisted Holly.
    â€œWe’re sunk if she spills the beans,” warned Owen.
    Right on cue the phone rang again.
    Owen and Holly stared at it.
    Owen picked up a cushion to muffle the bell.
    â€œWho’s calling?” Chantel’s voice floated downstairs.
    â€œWe think it might be your mum,” Holly admitted.
    Owen threw the cushion back on its chair.
    Chantel half ran, half fell down the stairs. “Answer it!” she yelled.
    â€œTold you,” Holly mouthed to her brother. She picked up the receiver. “Hello?…Yes, it’s me, Aunt Celia….Yes, Chantel’s here, but…but…Adam’s out with a friend…” She stared at Chantel, willing her to catch on.
    Chantel stared for a moment. She gave a small nod.
    Holly handed the receiver to Chantel and patted her shoulder.
    â€œMom?” said Chantel. She sat on the bottom step of the staircase and hunched over the receiver.
    The others retreated into the dining room but openly listened to Chantel’s side of the conversation.
    â€œNo, Mom, Adam’s not here…No, he’s not out with a kid…he’s with…Mer…Mr. Green, Mr. Smythe’s friend, the man whose house we’re staying in.
    â€œEr…Yes, we…we’re…meeting them later…Yes, of course Mr. Smythe’s with us.”
    There was a long pause at Chantel’s end, while her mother talked.
    Chantel gave a big sigh. “Mom…It’s okay. Me and Adam are getting on fine.”
    Holly and Owen nudged each other. They had both heard the catch in Chantel’s voice.
    Owen crossed his fingers and held them up. “Don’t cry, Chantel. Don’t give anything away,” he whispered.
    Holly crossed her fingers.
    Chantel’s voice became shrill, and the stairs creaked as she sat up. “What do you mean, you’ve solved the problem of us fighting? We’re not fighting. It’s you and Dad who were fighting…No…NO…” Chantel’s voice rose to a shriek. “NO… YOU CAN’T DO THAT…NO WAY.” There was a bang as the phone slammed down. Chantel burst into noisy sobs.
    Holly and Owen rushed back into the hall. They’d never, ever, heard Chantel shout at her mother.
    Holly crouched on the stairs beside her young cousin and hugged her. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”
    Chantel shook her head. “It’s not. It’s awful.” She howled into Holly’s shoulder.
    Holly patted her back but looked baffled. “What’s awful, Chantel? What on earth did your mum say?”
    Chantel lifted her head. “I hate her, I hate her.” She hiccupped. “I thought the worst bit of them getting a divorce would be us not seeing Dad very often.” She sobbed and shuddered. “But now they want us to divorce.” She buried her head again.
    Holly looked baffled. “What do you mean?”
    â€œSpit it out, Chantel,” Owen said.
    â€œThey…they’re sp…splitting us up,” hiccupped Chantel. “Mom says I’m to live with her, an…and Adam’s going to live with Dad. It’s not fair. Just ’cos they’re divorcing, why should we be split up? It’s not fair. It’s just not fair.” Chantel’s hands covered her face. Tears leaked through her fingers and dripped on the floor. “I wish I was