CHAPTER 5

Think simple.

I write down the letters of the alphabet, then put the numbers from one to twenty-six underneath:

I try to match them up with the code.

But nothing makes sense.

I stare at the numbers. What am I missing?

Then I realise. The numbers in the coded message are all between 2 and 9. Why would that be?

Suddenly it hits me like a bolt of lightning.

I race back to the drawers and go to the third one. I pull out the old mobile phone. It doesn’t work. But it doesn’t have to. I just need to look at it.

Yes! I’ve got something!

Under each number on the phone is a set of letters, the first beneath number 2 and the last beneath number 9.

I write down each number, then the letters underneath, exactly as it looks on the phone:

But nothing stands out. It’s just a mumbo jumbo of letters.

Suddenly I have a thought!

I draw some lines under each set of numbers. Then, where the number repeats itself, I put a letter from under the corresponding number on the phone, to see if anything makes sense.

But nothing does. Well, not yet, anyway.

I fiddle around a bit. Try a few different things.

Yes! The words are starting to take shape.

Suddenly I have it! I have broken the code!

I am too stunned to speak. The words won’t form in my mouth.

I take a deep breath and try to regain a modicum of calm. It is the only way I am going to get to the bottom of this.

‘Whoever wrote this is a shocking speller,’ I say to Ted, then I show him the decoded message.

It says:

If You Go On Money Bags

Your Dead Meet

‘That is not how you spell you’re,’ I tell him. ‘Well it is, but not in this instance. And meet should be meat, not meet.’

I look at Ted. But he is looking straight at the floor. He can’t even look me in the eye.

‘There is only one person I know who could spell as badly as this.’

Ted says nothing.

I am shocked. I am not sure what to think. But one thing is certain: I am not impressed. Not one little bit.

How could Ted do this? Why would he do this?

I shine my torch in his face. I don’t care if he has spots in front of his eyes for a month.

‘Okay Ted,’ I say as calmly as I can. ‘I think you’ve got some explaining to do.’