Polly Pippin and The Tunnel of Death Read Online Free Page B

only caught the end of what he'd said. 'When I was talking,
they both seemed to change colour. Well, their eyes did,' Barbara
said.
    Polly frowned again. What was that that
fizzed in her head?
    'Take in the chocolate cake please, Hams?'
she said and followed him into the dining room as casually as she
could. Piers was staring openly at her while Barbara was still
talking and bragging, and the creatures were still changing colour
if only slightly.
    After the food was finished, and everyone
was congratulating the two chefs, the visitors broke up into
groups, drinking and enjoying the party.
    The party's over
    A knock sounded on the door, and Polly, who
was deep in conversation with Piers and had no intention of leaving
him, called. 'Hamish, get that, will you?'
    Hamish walked down the hall, opened the door
and was surprised to see his friend Ape.
    'This is unexpected. When did you get back?
We're having a party. Come on in. There's plenty of food and drink
left.' Ape followed Hamish into the lounge.
    'Hi sorry everybody I didn't mean to
gate-crash.' And a tall, well-built man with a healthy tan walked
into the room.
    'Listen up, everybody!' Hamish shouted above
the happy chatter. 'This is notorious gate-crasher and ex-SAS
officer Captain Algernon Ponsenby Eagles - Ape for short.' Algernon
looked round the room for any familiar faces.
    'I was just passing, saw the light was on
and called in for a second. I won't eat much.' Everyone laughed and
said hi.
    'I need to talk to you Hamish.'
    'Stay Ape. Have a drink. We can talk
later.'
    'I have a friend in the car.'
    'Bring him in.'
    'It's a her,' Ape said.
    'Well done old man. I'll go and get her.
Polly pour Ape a drink and get him something to eat, he's always
starving.'
    And before Ape could say no, Hamish was out
of the door, running down the drive. Ape excused himself and
followed Hamish out.
    'Hamish!' he called. 'Please! We have to
talk it's very serious. Remember what I told you the other day
about Rebels from another universe?'
    Hamish was still not sure what was going on
in Ape's head so decided to humour him. 'Can't it wait till
tomorrow? My sister's in there trying to impress one of those
blokes.'
    'No, not if you want to save her life it
can't.'
    'What do you mean, save her life?' Hamish
knew his friend was not prone to exaggerate, so this time, he took
what Ape said seriously. 'Do you mean from those blokes in there?'
He started to run back in.
    'No, no. They are in as much danger.'
    'So what is it?'
    'Well, Piers and Miles are twins, and they
don't know it, but the firstborn babies were stolen and taken to
another universe. Now they are Rebels and, along with others, are
planning to destroy Earth.'
    'What are you rambling about, Ape? This is a
lot to take in and understand. Look, I have fought with you for too
long to dismiss what you are saying.' However Hamish thought, now
he's going on about Rebels from another universe again. Maybe Ape
was pulling his leg.
    'Hamish, what are you doing out there?'
Polly's voice floated over the garden.
    'Just catching up,' he called back. 'Won't
be a sec. Look, things will have to wait till this party's over.
Will that be okay?'
    'I suppose it has to be. We'll meet tomorrow
morning at the Brown Sugar Café for breakfast with Polly and
Alison. Get them to invite Piers and Miles. I want to see how much
they remember, and we can go from there. Don't leave the girls
alone tonight. I'm not sure how safe they'll be. Try and wind up
the party as soon as you can, Hamish. I don't want the house to
protect you by swallowing you all.'
    'Swallowing us? Christ, Ape! Hamish said. He
shook his head. The house swallowing us, now Hamish was convinced
his friend has lost it or was drunk. Now I'm really worried.'
    'You should be. Tomorrow at ten. See you
then.'
    'Hamish.' Polly's voice came across the
garden.
    'Coming Polly. Tomorrow, Ape, at ten.' And I
hope he remembers Hamish thought.
    Hamish waved goodbye to Ape and his mystery
passenger and went