Itchcraft Read Online Free

local university. His father used to be the foreman here when the mines were cranking out small amounts of thorium. He’s going to show us around. There are a number of old shafts here which are best avoided – they’re sealed off anyway – but he’s told me there’s one that might be explorable. Might pick up some europium, you never know!’
    ‘So does Dr Alexander own these mines, then?’ asked Itch. ‘Is that why we can just drive where we want around here?’
    They drove in silence while Nicholas thought of his answer. Eventually he said, ‘Well, you know, this is all supposed to be secret – but I’ve probably kept enough from you guys, so . . .’ He sighed. ‘Essentially we’ve more or less bought the mines for study by the local university. There’s a few paperwork issues to sort out, but I think the deal is pretty much done. There’s a lot of buzz around the gold and platinum mines, but not much here. No one is interested because they’re – officially – clapped out and dangerous. But our man here reckons otherwise. And there he is!’
    Their father pointed to the T-junction ahead, then waved at a man standing by a flatbed truck. A boy sitting in the back stood and waved as Nicholas pulled up just behind them.
    ‘Themba, good morning! Thanks for meeting us!’ called Nicholas as he climbed out.
    The other man smiled warmly. ‘Nicholas! Good to see you again!’ He was thin and slightly stooped, with tightly curled black hair that was going grey at the temples. ‘This is my son Sammy.’ The boy jumped down and stood, hands by his side, grinning. ‘Well, say something, Sammy – this is the Mr Lofte from England who I was telling you about.’
    ‘Hello, Mr Lofte,’ said Sammy, still smiling. ‘It is nice to meet you.’
    They shook hands formally, and then Itch and Chloe came over.
    ‘Itch, Chloe, this is Themba Motsei and his son Sammy. Themba’s going to head up our work at the mines here.’
    They all shook hands and nodded politely.
    ‘How old are you both?’ asked Themba.
    ‘I’m twelve and Itch is fifteen,’ said Chloe. ‘How about you, Sammy?’
    The boy squirmed and smiled some more. ‘I’m thirteen,’ he said softly. Then, ‘Do you like Manchester City?’ He pointed to his pale blue football shirt.
    Nicholas and Themba started laughing, but Itch and Chloe looked baffled.
    ‘I don’t really follow football,’ Itch said awkwardly. Sammy looked disappointed. ‘I don’t dislike it,’ he added quickly. ‘I just don’t really have an opinion one way or another. Some boys at school like them, I think. And Manchester United. And Chelsea . . .’
    ‘Itch, don’t try and talk football,’ said Chloe. ‘We’ll find other stuff to talk about.’
    They all climbed into the truck – Nicholas and Themba in the cab at the front; Sammy, Itch and Chloe in the open box at the back. An assortment of packing cases was strapped down at the far end.
    The truck’s progress was slow; the holes in the road made any speed above five mph extremely dangerous. Itch and Chloe clung to the sides of the truck.
    Sammy smiled again. ‘You ridden like this before?’
    Itch and Chloe both shook their heads.
    ‘It’s the best way. Even if the whole mine area is full of holes and very bad roads.’
    ‘Do you know where we are going?’ said Itch.
    ‘My father says we are going to the Hewitt B mine. That’s OK – at least you don’t need the radiation suits there.’
    Itch and Chloe glanced at each other. ‘Is there a Hewitt A mine?’
    The smile again. ‘Yes. An A, C and D. We don’t go there too much. But B is fun. You’ll see. Why are you wearing those Geiger counters?’
    ‘You know about these things?’ said Itch, holding up his yellow, clicking metal box.
    ‘Sure,’ said Sammy. ‘Dad brings that stuff home all the time. We’ve played around with them, but you’re wearing them like necklaces.’
    ‘It’s a long story,’ said Chloe, tucking hers away down the