9

The Secret Embassy

Gafferty dropped her bag and ran forward to help Crumpeck as he shakily got to his feet.

‘You don’t look like someone who’s on a daring mission,’ observed Gobkin, as the Smidgen stretched and rubbed his neck sleepily. Crumpeck was dressed in his bird clothes, but his grey coat was patched and had a few sad, scruffy feathers stuck to it, and on his head was a pointed cap that was faded and crumpled. In all, he resembled a pigeon that had perhaps fallen down a drainpipe or barely escaped with its life from the claws of a cat.

‘Appearances can be deceptive, young man,’ said Crumpeck, smoothing his coat down. ‘It’s all part of the subterfuge, you know.’

‘What subterfuge?’ said Gafferty. ‘Crumpeck, tell us what’s going on. You half scared us to death just then.’

The Smidgen cleared his throat.

‘I do apologise to you both,’ he began. ‘You see …’ He paused and looked around him, as if there were hidden ears listening. ‘I’m going to the Burrow!’

Gafferty didn’t know what to think. How could this be true?

‘But Lady Strigida said any expedition needed careful consideration. And that was only yesterday.’

‘Of course, she has to say that publicly,’ Crumpeck replied, with an attempt at a sly wink, ‘as she’s our leader and she has to be seen to be wise and far-sighted. But really, she’s as keen as you or me to head out on an adventure. So, she’s sent me – unbeknownst to everyone at the Roost – on a secret mission to make first contact with the Burrow Clan.’

‘You?’ Gafferty said, her face screwing up in disbelief. How could Strigida say Gafferty was irresponsible, and then send Crumpeck out instead? He might be an adult, but his appearance didn’t exactly shout ‘courageous explorer’.

‘Well, yes, actually.’ Crumpeck looked slightly deflated at her response. ‘I may not look like an adventurer, but I am utterly fearless at heart, I can assure you.’

There was a sudden metallic clank behind him and Crumpeck leaped in the air with a shriek.

‘What was that?’ he said, spinning around, his eyes wide in terror. ‘Squirrels? Owls? Snakes? Owlsnakes?’

‘It was me,’ said Gobkin, looking guilty. ‘Sorry, my snack seems to have dropped out of Gafferty’s bag by accident.’ He picked up Len’s Case from where it had fallen as Gafferty glared at him. ‘I thought your friend might be hungry,’ he added, shrugging.

The man eagerly took the plate from the boy and gobbled down the spicy potato Mum had supplied as Gobkin watched enviously.

‘Look, Crumpeck,’ Gafferty said, speaking more gently. ‘Are you sure that’s what Strigida wanted? After all, you’ve told us about your secret mission, so it’s not very secret now, and you’ve managed to get yourself shut in a cupboard. I’m fairly certain the Burrow isn’t here. So, it doesn’t seem like you’ve had a lot of success so far.’

‘A few missteps, that’s all, Miss Sprout,’ Crumpeck said between mouthfuls. ‘I made an unfortunate miscalculation when flying through the factory last night  – I’ve never had much of a head for heights, I’m afraid – and ended up with a bit of a bumpy landing on the top of this cabinet. While climbing down I was shut inside by the Big Folk and had to spend the night here. If only I’d known there was another way out! But it was very dark, of course. However, the fact that you’ve chanced upon me is confirmation of your destiny.’

‘My what?’ said Gafferty. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘You must come with me, of course!’ Crumpeck dropped the plate and clasped her by the shoulders. ‘Join me on this secret embassy to the Burrow. You set the Smidgens on this historic path, Miss Sprout, and you should lead us on the next stage of this momentous journey. Your name will go down in the annals of Smidgen history as Gafferty Sprout, the Great Uniter of the Clans. Just think of the adventures! Think of the discoveries!’

He stared at her delightedly. For a moment she couldn’t help grinning back. A chance to go the Burrow! It was exactly what Gafferty had been hoping for – an opportunity to get answers about the knife, to find more Smidgens. She would show Wyn and Strigida that she could be responsible, she would prove them wrong!

So why was she hesitating? She knew that she was sometimes impulsive, but she wasn’t stupid. And there was something about what he was saying that didn’t ring true.

‘Did Lady Strigida actually ask you to take me?’ said Gafferty.

‘Not … exactly,’ said Crumpeck. ‘But she’ll come round to the idea, I’m sure. And you want to go on this expedition – you said so yourself.’

‘Yes, I do. I really do.’ Adventurous Gafferty was battling Responsible Gafferty. She looked at her brother. She had to do the right thing. ‘But I’ve got to get Gobkin home in one piece, and that’s no small matter. And I can’t just leave without saying goodbye to my parents. Why don’t you come back to the Hive and we can talk about it? Make a proper plan.’

A look of anger briefly flashed across Crumpeck’s face.

‘I see that you doubt me. I am not a Smidgen-child, Miss Sprout. I know what I’m doing. If you’re not going to come with me now, then I will be on my way before anyone finds ou—That is, before I waste any more time.’

He picked up her bag from where it lay, dropped the plate back into it and handed it to her.

‘Thank you for the food. I have a copy of your atlas with me so can quite safely continue my journey through the Tangle. On. My. Own.’

Without another word, he grabbed a small rucksack from under the cloths and scampered to the mop handle, shinning down it to the bucket.

‘Crumpeck – wait!’ Gafferty called, but he didn’t look back. They heard a crash and an ‘Ouch!’ as he tumbled to the bottom of the cupboard, and then hobbling footsteps as he staggered out through the gap in the door and into the factory.

‘That was weird,’ said Gobkin, as they peered over the edge of the shelf after him. ‘He was desperate for you to go with him, and then suddenly he dashes off as if he can’t wait to leave.’

‘I hope he’ll be OK,’ said Gafferty, biting her lip doubtfully. ‘He might actually be the one Smidgen more accident-prone than Will.’

‘He seems to be a few crumbs short of a biscuit if you ask me.’ The boy tapped his head with a finger. ‘Maybe Strigida was hoping he wouldn’t come back.’

‘That’s what worries me.’ Gafferty sighed. ‘I don’t think Strigida – or anyone – knows what he’s up to at all …’