“I’m sorry I wasn’t quicker at grabbing it,” I mumble at last.
“Well,” says Sadie, clearly making a supreme effort. “I suppose it wasn’t completely your fault.”
“Let’s go around the house. We may be able to slip in somewhere. Go inside and see if the coast is clear.”
As Sadie disappears, I creep cautiously over the grass and start moving along the wall of the house. I’m making slow progress, because every time I pass a window I duck down and crawl on my stomach. Although that won’t exactly help if one of the security guards comes along-
“There you are!” Sadie pops out of the wall beside me. “Guess what?”
“Jesus!” I clasp my chest. “What?”
“It’s your uncle! I’ve been watching him! He’s just been to his safe in his bedroom. He looked in it, but he couldn’t find what he wanted. Then he banged it shut and started shouting for Diamanté. The girl. Odd name.” She wrinkles her nose.
“My cousin.” I nod. “Another of your great-nieces.”
“She was in the kitchen. He said he needed a private word and sent all the staff away. Then he demanded, had she been going in his safe and taking things? Then he said an old necklace was missing and did she know anything about it?”
“Oh my God.” I stare back at her. “Oh my God! What did she say?”
“She said no, but he didn’t believe her.”
“Maybe she’s lying.” My mind is working overtime. “Maybe that’s her bedroom, where the necklace was.”
“Exactly! So we have to get it now, before he realizes where it is and locks it away again. There’s no one around. All the staff have got out of the way. We can go through the house.”
I haven’t got time to think about whether this is a good idea or not. My heart pumping, I follow Sadie to a side door and in through a laundry room as big as my whole flat. She beckons me through a pair of swing doors, down a passage, then holds up a hand as we reach the hall, her eyes widening warily. I can hear Uncle Bill shouting, his voice increasing in volume.
“… private safe… personal security… how dare you… code was for emergencies only…”
“… not bloody fair! You never let me have anything!”
It’s Diamanté’s voice, and it’s getting closer. On instinct, I dart behind a chair and sink down, my knees trembling. The next moment she strides into the hall, wearing a strange asymmetrical pink miniskirt and a teeny-tiny T-shirt.
“I’ll buy you a necklace.” Uncle Bill comes striding in after her. “That’s no problem. Tell me what you need, Damian will find it-”
“You always say that!” she shrieks at him. “You never listen! That necklace is perfect! I need it for my next Tutus and Pearls show! My whole new collection is based on butterflies and insects and stuff! I’m a creative , in case you hadn’t realized-”
“If you’re so creative, my love,” says Uncle Bill with a sarcastic edge, “why have I hired three designers to work on your dresses?”
For a moment I’m gobsmacked. Diamanté uses other designers? The next minute I can’t believe I didn’t work that one out before.
“They’re… fucking … assistants!” she screams back. “It’s my vision! And I need that necklace-”
“You’re not using it, Diamanté.” Uncle Bill’s voice is ominous. “And you’re never going in my safe again. You’re going to give it back to me right now-”
“No, I’m not! And you can tell Damian to fuck off, he’s a git.” She runs up the stairs, closely followed by Sadie.
Uncle Bill looks so furious, it’s as though he’s not quite in possession of his faculties. He’s breathing heavily and thrusting his hands through his hair as he gazes up the grand staircase. He looks so uncool and out of control, I almost want to giggle.
“Diamanté!” he shouts. “You come back here!”
“Fuck off!” comes a distant cry.
“Diamanté!” Uncle Bill starts to stride up the stairs himself. “That’s it. I won’t have this-”
“She’s got it!” Sadie’s voice is suddenly in my ear. “She’s taken it! We need to catch her! You go round the back. I’ll guard the front stairs.”
With scrambling legs I get to my feet, run back down the passage, through the laundry room, and out onto the lawn. I sprint breathlessly around the house, not caring if anyone sees me-and stop dead in dismay.