CHERUB: Brigands M.C. - Robert Muchamore Page 0,15

Ross asked. ‘Did you get anywhere trying to track down a relative?’

Lindsay shook her head. ‘Scotty was a product of the care system. No known father, mother deceased. There’s an uncle, but he’s in Wandsworth prison and won’t be available for babysitting duties until 2011. On Dante’s mother’s side there’s one grandparent, but she’s in a psychiatric hospital and there’s no aunts or uncles.’

‘Shit,’ Ross said.

Lindsay shrugged. ‘A healthy boy with a tragic sob-story background and cute baby sister. They’ll get snapped up for adoption. I know it’s sad, but in the long run it’s probably better not being brought up by some biker scumbag.’

Ross nodded. ‘I was actually thinking about tonight. Dante’s the only witness. The Führer’s going to want him dead. We can’t have an eight-year-old living in a police station, but we’ve got to find somewhere safe.’

‘Could you deal with that?’ Lindsay asked. ‘Maybe take him under your wing for a few days, until we find a foster home in a safe location? You’re the only person he’s responded to. We’ll find a couple of nice rooms in a hotel.’

‘Sounds reasonable,’ Ross said. ‘I’m a London boy, so I’ve got to find a hotel anyway. I’d suggest somewhere at least an hour’s drive from Salcombe. I’ll need some shopping money as well. He’s got nothing except the clothes he’s standing up in.’

*

Every time Dante woke up he hoped it was a dream. He wanted to find himself back in his own bed with the floor piled with junk and Jordan’s teenage odour in the air. But this was the third morning he’d woken in a king-sized bed at the Bristol Park Hotel, after a night of drug-induced sleep.

Nothing could compensate for the loss of Dante’s family, but the plush hotel did at least provide some novel distractions: room service, mini bar, on-demand movies and best of all swimming pool at the end of the hall.

Dante’s family weren’t rich. He’d never stayed in a hotel before and he’d worn hand-me-downs from Jordan all his life. It felt satisfying peeling sticky labels and tags from new BHS boxers and socks each morning. Devon police had also granted him enough money for an Adidas tracksuit, two nice pairs of jeans, some warm tops, a camouflage coat and a pair of blue Etnies skateboarder shoes that were the coolest item of footwear he’d ever owned.

Ross slept in the adjoining room and the doors in-between were propped open. Dante strolled through and found GMTV on Ross’ television with the sound turned low. Ross himself was in the bathroom using his Philishave.

‘Morning,’ he said, when he saw Dante reflected in the bathroom mirror. ‘Did you sleep well?’

Dante smiled a little. ‘Those pills are like pressing a magic button. You take one and ZONK: fast asleep.’

‘I probably need to reduce the dosage. You don’t feel groggy at all? No headaches?’

‘Nope,’ Dante said, as he sat on the bed and eyed Ross’ laptop on the desk nearby. ‘Are they saying anything about us on the news?’

Ross wiped his face on a towel and came into the bedroom dressed in his boxers and a vest. ‘I’ve only been up for about ten minutes but the story seems to have died down.’

Dante felt disappointed. The story was out of the news after four days, but it would be the biggest thing that ever happened to him if he lived to be a hundred.

‘Your mood seems quite even this morning,’ Ross said. ‘You know you don’t have to hide your emotions from me? I’m here to support you.’

‘I know,’ Dante said. He crashed back on Ross’ unmade bed and stared at the ceiling rose. ‘I still feel upset when I think hard.’

‘But you feel like you’re beginning to move on?’ Ross said.

Dante shook his head. ‘I feel weird because everything is different. Like, on Monday I’d never even met you. Now you’re like, my only friend in the world.’

Ross was flattered and couldn’t help smiling. ‘This is just for a couple more days until we find a foster family, Dante.’

‘So,’ Dante said thoughtfully. ‘Have there been lots of boys and girls like me, who you’ve looked after when something horrible happened?’

‘I’ve interviewed and counselled children all over the country. I carry on helping witnesses right up to when they testify in court. Even afterwards if they still need me,’ Ross explained. ‘But most children in your situation have a grandparent, or an auntie or an older cousin or something who they can live with. This is only the