Lady Friday(43)

‘For me?’ asked Feorin. He stepped out into the corridor after her. At the same time, someone inside – almost certainly Milka – called out, ‘Who is it?’

‘Tell her it’s a messenger,’ whispered Leaf. She coughed again and held out the stone she’d scratched up. ‘And I’ll give you this … ah-woof … coughstone.’

‘A messenger!’ called out Feorin. He advanced on Leaf, reaching for the stone … but she was too quick for him and retreated, coughing again.

‘You have to help me find a telephone to the House first,’ whispered Leaf. ‘Then you can have the coughstone.’

‘What’s the message?’ Milka called out from inside.

‘Tell her nothing important,’ hissed Leaf anxiously.

‘Nothing important,’ called out Feorin. ‘It’s just that sleeper!’

Leaf groaned.

‘Was that part of the cough?’ asked Feorin.

‘No,’ said Leaf. As she expected, Milka came out the door. She was also wearing a leather apron and was holding a glue pot.

‘What is it, then?’ she asked.

‘What?’ asked Leaf dully. Her plan had fallen apart.

‘The message,’ said Milka impatiently. ‘So you are a Piper’s child after all? I always said we needed some here to run messages.’

‘Uh, yes,’ said Leaf, her brain suddenly re-engaging. ‘That’s what I’m here for. You two are supposed to take me to a telephone so I can call … um … a sorcerer in the House to order in some special items for you Denizens. This coughstone is a sample … only I might have used it ah … ah … ah-woof … up.’

‘Good!’ said Feorin. Milka didn’t answer, instead reaching over to take the stone.

Leaf held her breath as the Denizen examined it and popped it in her mouth. It lodged in her throat for a few seconds and her breath caught, a hideous whistle emerging from her mouth. Then it was gone, into her stomach.

‘A whistle and a cough,’ said Feorin admiringly. A second later he pouted, adding, ‘But it should have been mine. I could have taken you to the telephone as easily as Milka.’

‘I’m senior, so I get any bonuses,’ said Milka. ‘Right. Let’s go.’

She stalked off down the corridor, closely followed by Leaf. Leaf figured that she only had a short space of time before Milka figured out she’d been tricked.

Milka went up to the noon door and knocked. When no answer came, she opened the door and ushered Leaf in.

‘Noon’s office,’ she said. ‘He must be up with Lady Friday. He’s got a phone on his desk.’

Leaf looked around the room. It was furnished much as a modern manager’s office in a hospital might be. There was no sign of a telephone.

‘Where’s the phone?’ asked Leaf.

‘Oh, it will be in the desk drawer, I expect,’ said Milka.

‘Right,’ said Leaf. She dumped the pillowcases by the door, quickly crossed the room, sat down, and opened the top drawer. Her hands shook as she saw a red box, exactly like the one that Arthur had kept in his room. She swiftly took it out, opened it, and picked up the old-fashioned two-piece telephone. The earpiece crackled as she held it to her ear.

‘Yes?’ said a distant voice.

‘I want to make a call, please,’ Leaf replied.

‘Why else would you be talking into a telephone?’ said the voice.

‘Yes, I suppose,’ said Leaf nervously. Milka and Feorin were waiting for her, and though they had stayed near the door, she knew they were listening. ‘I need to talk to Dr Scamandros, please.’

She lowered her voice and swiftly added, ‘He’s probably in the Lower House. Or maybe the Great Maze.’

‘The Lower House? They’re cut off, by order of Superior Saturday. Can’t connect you there, nor anywhere below the Middle House.’

‘But it’s very important,’ pleaded Leaf. ‘Please!’

‘Who is this calling—’ the voice started, but before it could continue, it was cut off and a new voice came in, much stronger.

‘Get off, you imposter! Operator here.’

‘Operator? Who was that, then? Uh, never mind.’ Leaf’s precious time was evaporating. ‘Please, I need to speak to Dr Scamandros urgently. He’s in … ah—’

‘Friend of Arthur’s, are you?’ asked the operator.

‘Yes!’ said Leaf without thinking. ‘Or … no … depending on why you’re asking.’

‘Putting you through. Might not last, though. Saturday’s minions are all through the lines.’