Andrew could have cried with relief as the cabin began to move. The ground got closer and closer. He pressed his palms against the glass. Get the door open, get the door open, he thought, over and over.
Minnie was the first to reach up and try the door handle. She found it was locked. He could see her gesturing to someone. Then there were keys in her hand. A scrape in the lock. And the door swung open.
Andrew took great lungfuls of freezing-cold air.
He was free.
The others reached to help him down, he was lifted by them, just for a moment, floating in mid-air, held up by their strength. Then his feet were on solid ground again. In socks. Piotr climbed up to fetch his shoes.
‘What time is it?’ Andrew asked, his throat hoarse from shouting.
Flora checked her watch. ‘Nearly nine. Wait. Are you OK? Are you hurt? Who did this to you?’
‘Austin Vasey,’ Andrew said.
A woman, who he noticed for the first time, gasped. ‘Mr Vasey? Why? Why would he do that?’
‘To shut me up,’ Andrew said. ‘But no one can shut me up – I’ve got school reports to prove it!’ He steadied himself against Piotr as he pulled on his shoes. ‘Right. We have to get to Meeke’s before Vasey does. But first, I need to speak to Mum. Can I borrow someone’s phone?’
Flora’s phone was in his hand instantly. Already ringing his number. Mum answered on the first ring.
‘Andrew?’ she asked. The worry in her voice was like a shard of steel in his heart.
‘It’s me. I’m all right. I’m sorry.’
‘Where have you been? What’s going on?’
‘I can’t explain now. I have to get to Meeke’s. But I will explain properly, very soon. I just wanted you to know I was safe. I love you.’
‘Andrew! Andrew!’
He finished the call and handed the phone back to Flora. ‘Come on,’ he said, ‘I’m not the only one who needs saving today.’
* * *
Minnie was in front the whole way as they raced across town, darting between stomping commuters, using lamp posts as pivots to spin her way through sharp turns. Piotr was next, head down, running like he was on the sports track. Andrew and Flora weren’t far behind, gasping and panting, but keeping up. Sylvie trailed at the back, wailing something about her shoes being too tight for long distance.
‘Andrew, what … oof … what has Vasey got to do … oof … with the curse?’ Flora asked as they ran.
Andrew, gripping a stitch in his side, could barely breathe, let alone answer. ‘Tell you when we get there,’ he managed.
They’d reached Marsh Road. The colour, sound, smells of the market rushed past. A few people yelled after them as they ran through, telling them to slow down, but the cries were already lost. Andrew leaped a cardboard box and landed upright. He felt like a superhero!
Minnie and Piotr were waiting, panting, outside Meeke’s. Inside, Andrew could see Tilda, and Benedict – and Austin Vasey.
‘Ready?’ Piotr asked.
Andrew wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his sleeve. ‘Ready,’ he said.