The clear oval pod was climbing slowly round the big wheel of the London Eye and Dad was just pointing out a funny-looking building nicknamed ‘The Gherkin’ when Ben heard his ringtone.
‘I wonder who this is? I don’t recognize the number.’ Ben pulled the phone out of his pocket. ‘Hello?’
Instead of an answering voice there was a torrent of urgent barking – it sounded like one of the pups, although Ben couldn’t be sure. Lara was sure, though. She recognized Spud’s voice straight away and jumped up to put her head beside the phone.
‘Oh, I see, it’s for you, Lara!’ laughed Ben. Then he realized from Lara’s face that something was wrong.
‘You’re where?’ barked Lara. ‘What about Star? What?! Stanley Strange! When? Midday? But it’s almost that now! OK, go back to the shop and wait. I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
‘What’s the matter, Lara?’ asked Sophie. By now their pod was creeping over the top of the wheel. The sun was out and the views were fantastic, but no one noticed. They were all looking at Lara.
Lara grabbed Dad’s tourist map of London and pointed to the store. Then she pointed at Ben’s phone and barked urgently.
‘Spud and Star are in that shop?’ asked Ben. ‘But how? Why?’
I haven’t got time for this, thought Lara desperately. I’ve got to get there. I’ve got to stop Strange and rescue Star!
She looked down at the city spread out so far below them. The slow ride up had been such fun, but now she felt like a prisoner trapped high in the air.
It’s going to take ages to reach the ground. I might as well try and explain, she thought.
Lara took Ben’s phone and, using Dad’s pen between her teeth, carefully spelled out two words as if she was going to send a text.
strange santa
‘Strange Santa? Do you mean there’s a strange Santa in the shop?’ asked Sophie.
Lara nodded vigorously and then pointed meaningfully at the word ‘Strange’ and began to mime playing the mouth organ. For a minute everyone looked blank.
‘I’ve got it!’ said Ben. ‘ When we were carol singing – that horrible man at End House – his name was Stanley Strange, wasn’t it? Is he the strange Santa, Lara? Is that why Spud and Star are there?’
Yes! Well done, Ben – and Star is in danger too. Oh, why doesn’t this big wheel thing move any faster?!
Lara looked as anxious as she could and pointed at the number twelve on Dad’s watch. Now Ben and Sophie understood perfectly, although Dad was still looking baffled.
‘Something bad is going to happen in the shop at twelve o’clock, Dad,’ explained Sophie.
‘Yes, something that involves Stanley Strange – that man who nearly ran us all over. I think he might be disguised as Santa Claus,’ added Ben.
That’s right! That’s right! barked Lara, nodding.
‘WHAT?!’ said Dad, suddenly looking horrified. ‘But that’s where Mum’s taking Ollie for his special treat – to see Santa in that shop. We’ve got to get there – and fast!’
