CHERUB: Class A - Robert Muchamore Page 0,35

you’ve done it,’ James said. ‘Training’s horrible, so when something tough happens on a mission, instead of being scared, you remember that you’ve been through worse and you can handle it.’
‘Sometimes,’ Lauren said, ‘just thinking about it makes me feel like puking.’
‘The fear is worse before training starts,’ James said. ‘Once you’re there, you’re too worn out to think.’
There was a knock on the door.
‘Yeah,’ James shouted. ‘We’re awake.’
Zara pushed the door open and stuck her head in.
‘James, when Kerry left you earlier, did she say if she was going anywhere after she left Dinesh’s?’
‘No,’ James said.
‘I rang their house,’ Zara said. ‘Dinesh said Kerry left before eight. She ought to be home by now.’
‘Did you try her mobile?’ James asked.
‘That’s the first thing I did. I even sent a text.’
‘Maybe we should go out looking,’ Lauren said.
‘I wouldn’t panic yet,’ Zara said. ‘She’ll probably turn up. You two get some sleep and try not to worry.’
*
A mobile woke James up. He’d forgotten Lauren was asleep next to him and bumped into her as he sat up.
‘That’s your tasteless ring tone,’ he said, giving her a kick. ‘I bet it’s that idiot Bethany.’
Lauren got out of bed, flicked on the light and found her phone inside her jacket. James looked at his clock. It was gone midnight.
‘Hello?’ Lauren answered. ‘Kerry, wow. Everyone’s looking for you … Hang on, yeah, James is here.’
James snatched the Nokia off Lauren.
‘Kerry?’
‘Oh, thank god,’ Kerry said. ‘Why did you switch your phone off?’
‘It’s probably gone flat,’ James said.
‘I couldn’t get an answer from Kyle, or Nicole either. I tried Lauren as a last resort.’
‘Where the hell are you?’ James asked. ‘Zara’s going frantic. She’s sitting downstairs waiting for you to get in.’
‘I’m outside Thunderfoods. I need a huge favour.’
‘What’s Thunderfoods?’ James asked.
‘Dinesh’s dad’s company,’ Kerry explained. ‘I think I’m on to something, but I need you and one of the others to ride out here and give me a hand breaking in.’
‘Why don’t you explain everything to Ewart or Zara?’ James said. ‘They’ll know what to do.’
‘Because if I’m wrong, I’ll look like an idiot and they’ll boot me back to campus.’
James couldn’t refuse. After all, he spent half his life telling Kerry to be more relaxed about rules.
‘OK,’ he said. ‘What is it you want?’
‘I’d like Nicole or Kyle to come as well,’ Kerry said.
‘Nicole’s at her sleepover. Kyle’s out partying.’
‘But I’m here,’ Lauren said, sounding excited.
James looked at his sister. ‘No way, you’re not trained.’
‘It’s better if there’s three of us to search,’ Kerry said. ‘But two is OK. I need you to bring some stuff: torches, your lock gun, your digital camera and some beer.’
‘Where the hell can I get beer at this time of night? Even if there was somewhere, I’m too young to buy it.’
‘There’s a few cans in the bottom of our fridge,’ Kerry said. ‘Sneak one out.’
‘What do you need beer for, anyway?’ James asked.
‘James,’ Kerry snapped, ‘I don’t have time for two hundred questions. Get the stuff, get on a bike and ride your butt out here.’
James took down directions and ended the call.
‘What’s happening?’ Lauren asked.
‘God knows why,’ James said, ‘but Kerry wants to break into some food factory. She doesn’t want Ewart or Zara to know what she’s doing in case she’s wrong about whatever it is she thinks is going on.’
He stepped into some tracksuit bottoms and trainers.
‘I’ll go get the beer for you,’ Lauren said.
‘Thanks.’
Lauren crept down to the kitchen, while James churned through the mess under his bed and got his lock gun and camera. He grabbed Kyle’s camera in case they needed two and took Lauren’s phone because his was flat.
Lauren came back with the cold beer.
‘Thanks,’ James said. ‘It’s gonna be well hard, sneaking my bike out of the garage without Ewart or Zara noticing.’
Lauren started putting on clothes.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’ James asked. ‘You’re not coming. No way.’
‘Kerry asked for a third person.’
‘You’re not trained.’
‘I’ll ride along,’ Lauren said. ‘If Kerry doesn’t want me, I’ll look after the bikes.’
James knew how stubborn Lauren could be. He didn’t have the time or energy to argue.
‘Fine,’ he said. ‘But don’t think I’m taking the rap for you if we get in trouble.’
‘I’m ten years old,’ Lauren said proudly. ‘I can make my own decisions.’
14. CURRY
There wasn’t much traffic, but what there was drove dangerously fast. It took twenty minutes to ride across to the industrial park. Thunderfoods had a full car park and lights on everywhere. The factory worked