Page 64 of Black and White, Twice the Might

I look at Sly and shake my head, grinning, but I don’t stop them thinking up different ways to kill him. If it were me, I’d rip his heart out just to see if he actually had one. Gory, probably, but I wouldn’t have an ounce of regret.

We walk around the shops and buy some things we know we’ll need, like a new kettle, coffee, tea, squash and a few funny mugs, as well as batteries and bedside clocks. We’ll leave them in the boot until we get the keys.

We arrive back in Cadenbury and have lunch at the baker's. We bump into Adhan and Emily as we’re leaving.

“Hey, Adhan, Emily,” I greet, smiling at them.

“You all look happy,” Emily comments.

"We are,” Xander tells her.

Enoch pipes up. “Eb and Sly transferred the money over for the house this morning.”

Adhan laughs. “Just a bit excited, I see, and yes, I saw that. Come for dinner tonight and I’ll give you the keys.”

Emily smiles at Xander. “Xander, what is your favourite dinner? I’ll make it tonight as a celebration for you all.”

Xander grins. “Really?”

Emily nods. “Yes, really.”

Xander launches himself at Emily and hugs her.

Emily laughs and hugs him back.

Xander pulls away. “My favourite dinner is trenchers, with roast pork.”

“Nice,” Adhan says, looking at Emily. “We’ve not had that in years.”

“Well, we’ll be having it tonight. Now I need to dash. I’ll see you all later.”

“Bye,” we say, as she walks away.

“I hope I’ve not caused Emily a lot of work,” Xander comments, looking troubled as he watches her leave.

“You didn’t, don’t worry. If Mum didn’t have time to make your favourite dinner, she wouldn’t have offered,” Adhan assures him.

Xander nods, looking relieved.

“I have to go as well, so I will see you all later. Dinner will be at the usual time,” and just that quickly, Adhan walks off.

“Shall we pop into the bookshop quickly to say hello and then go to Shattered Glass?” I suggest.

We walk in and see Ernest by the counter.

“How’s your day going?” he asks us.

“Really good. Sly and Ebby transferred the money for the house,” Enoch says, happily.

“We did. Adhan said we can pick the keys up later tonight,” I say.

“Nice. We’ll have to have a welcome to the town party.”

“Really?” Xander asks, looking surprised.

Ernest nods. “Oh yeah. Leave it with me and I’ll arrange something.”

“Thanks,” Sly says. “Adhan invited us round for dinner tonight to celebrate. Emily is making Xander’s favourite dinner.”