CHERUB: Class A - Robert Muchamore Page 0,16

put him down, James straightened his clothes, sat on the grass and started piling chicken drumsticks and sandwiches on to a paper plate. Nicole shuffled up beside him and pinched a couple of his crisps.
Zara began reading notes from a long list.
‘OK, as you all know, we’re leaving first thing the day after tomorrow. Pack light. There are seven of us and it’s a small house. State schools start Tuesday, giving us a nearly a week to settle in before term starts. I’ve prepared a hundred and sixty page dossier on Keith Moore, his associates and his family, I want all of you to read it and memorise as much as you can…’
7. MOVING
It was pandemonium. They had a big moving van and a people carrier. The van was already stuffed, mostly with baby stuff like pushchairs and walkers. Kerry had five bags of clothes and junk, which James had to hump downstairs because her knee was still weak. Kyle, who was always ridiculously neat, wanted to take his clothes rail, eight pairs of shoes and his own ironing board. Ewart was going berserk, using language that would have earned James thousands of laps.
‘I’m only making one trip,’ Ewart shouted. ‘So you lot better sort yourselves out.’
James was the only one who’d followed instructions to pack light. He had a backpack, with toiletries, spare trainers, a jacket and a few changes of clothes. His Playstation and TV had gone ahead the day before with the furniture.
Lauren came tearing around the corner towards them. She was in uniform and she was crying. It was the last thing James expected.
‘What’s the matter?’ he asked, bundling his sister into his arms.
Her T-shirt was sweaty and the sobs made her whole body shudder.
‘Just …’ Lauren sniffed.
James pulled her tighter and rubbed her back.
‘Is someone bullying you, or something?’
‘I’m ten in two weeks,’ she explained. ‘It’s doing my head in thinking about basic training.’
Lauren acted tough most of the time, but she couldn’t always keep the nine-year-old girl inside herself under control. Whenever there was a chink in her armour, she came to James for comfort.
‘Lauren, I passed training,’ James said, feeling a bit emotional himself. ‘I’d never done Karate and I could barely swim. With all the fitness and combat exercises you’ve done, you’re a million times better prepared than I was.’
Lauren dragged her wrist over her eyes. Kerry got Lauren a tissue.
‘Come on, kids,’ Zara shouted, as she climbed into the people carrier. ‘I want most of this drive out of the way before Joshua wakes up and starts screaming.’
‘I wish you weren’t going away,’ Lauren said.
‘Bethany’s going into training with you,’ James said. ‘She’ll probably be your partner. You two will do great.’
Lauren stepped back from James. Kerry gave her a quick squeeze.
‘Just think, Lauren,’ Kerry said. ‘In four months, basic training will be a memory and you’ll be able to go on missions. I’ll bet you, any money you like.’
Lauren smiled a bit. ‘Yeah. I hope so.’
‘If you want,’ James said, ‘I can probably arrange for you to visit us in Luton on your birthday. We can have a laugh.’
Lauren looked surprised. ‘Will they let me?’
‘They won’t mind. It’ll be good experience for you: getting a taste of what it’s like being out on a mission and stuff.’
‘You better go then,’ Lauren sniffled, dabbing her eyes with the tissue. ‘I don’t know what made me start crying. It just … Sorry … I feel really dumb now.’
James pecked his sister on the cheek, before saying goodbye and climbing in the back of the people carrier.
Kyle leaned out of the side window. ‘You’ll make it through training, Lauren,’ he shouted. ‘Don’t go losing any sleep.’
James pulled up the door and buckled his seatbelt.
‘Sorry I shouted, James,’ Zara said, from the driver’s seat. ‘I didn’t realise Lauren was upset. Is she OK?’
‘I think so,’ James nodded.
Lauren waved as they drove away. James’ eyes were a bit damp, but he wasn’t worried. Lauren had a good brain and she was fit. A serious injury was the only thing likely to stop her getting through basic training.
*
Ewart and Nicole travelled in the moving van with the luggage. Zara drove the people carrier, with Kyle next to her in the front. James and Kerry sandwiched Joshua’s baby seat in the back. The baby woke up an hour before they arrived. Kerry had a go at feeding him, but he screamed his head off. She passed him over to James while she hunted round her feet for