CHERUB: The Fall - Robert Muchamore Page 0,32

schoolwork. The difference to your CHERUB career will probably be minimal.’

James thought for a second. ‘Maybe that’s true, but everyone on campus is gonna know I’m under investigation and I know how these things drag out. You say one or two months now, but it’s just as likely to be four or five.’

Ewart rolled his eyes. ‘James, you’re not the first agent ever to be suspended pending an investigation and I’d bet that you won’t be the last.’

‘Besides,’ Zara said, ‘if you leave, you’ll end up at some other school with no friends and about half of the facilities you’ve got on campus.’

‘I guess,’ James sighed. ‘And I didn’t mean to swear at you. It’s just, I could do without this after everything I’ve been through in the last week …’

Zara reached into a carrier bag she’d brought in with her and pulled out a big box of fancy chocolates.

‘Continental selection,’ Zara smiled. ‘Kerry said you liked them. They’re a personal gift from Ewart and me. And this second one is a get well present from CHERUB itself.’

As James grabbed the box of chocolates, Zara reached back into the carrier bag and pulled out a box with an Apple logo on it.

‘I’m not really up on these things,’ Zara explained, ‘but Kerry said you were on about getting an iPod for when you go running. I gave it to Kyle last night and he said he’s loaded on some music and a couple of audio books.’

James was pleased with the gifts, but they left a bitter taste. It felt like they were buying him off.

14. QUESTIONS

Two weeks later

James broke off the cross-country trail and sprinted across a football pitch, heading towards the rear entrance of the main building on CHERUB campus. It had been raining for most of the last three days and mud spattered up his legs as he ran.

When James reached the double doors, he looked at his running watch and pressed the stop button before flipping through the settings: time 22 minutes 17 seconds, distance 5.03 kilometres, heart rate 139 beats per minute. It was only half a minute outside his personal best and he’d set that when the ground was hard.

As he leaned against the wall and pulled off his soggy trainers, James spotted his mates, Kyle and Shak, running across the field behind him. He thought about waiting, but his T-shirt was wringing with sweat and he didn’t want to get cold.

The back hallway on the ground floor smelled of the muggy air that wafted out of the laundry. The lift always took ages and James felt sprightly, so he jogged towards the staircase.

‘Mr Adams,’ a man called sternly.

James’ heart sank as he turned around and saw his geography teacher Mr Norwood. Norwood was an ex-cherub in his mid-thirties. Like many CHERUB staff that didn’t have families, he lived in an apartment on the fourth floor of the main building. He approached James holding a plastic laundry basket filled with folded shirts and jeans.

‘Been for a run I see.’ Mr Norwood smiled, as he glared at the muddy trainers hooked over James’ middle fingers.

‘Yes, sir.’

Mr Norwood tapped his chin thoughtfully. ‘And yet, I seem to recall you telling me that you were still recovering. You said you’d been told to take things easy for a while and not overtire yourself with homework.’

James tried to sound sincere. ‘It’s true, sir. I nearly died.’

Kyle and Shakeel staggered through the doors. ‘You came out of nowhere, James,’ Kyle grinned as he slapped James on the back.

Mr Norwood looked at Kyle. ‘So, you’d say James is in good health now?’

Kyle and Shak both nodded.

‘He’s got strong legs,’ Kyle explained. ‘He’s not fast, but he blasted past us when we were coming up the last hill.’

James’ friends kept on walking and James turned to follow them. ‘Nice talking, Mr N,’ he said hurriedly. ‘I’d better take a shower before I stink the joint up.’

‘Goodbye, James,’ Mr Norwood said. ‘I’ll see you on Tuesday morning, with the homework on rainforest ecosystems.’

‘I still get headaches, sir.’

Mr Norwood shrugged. ‘I’ll give you a choice, James. Either bring your homework, or an excuse note written by your handler.’

James realised he’d been rumbled. ‘All right, I’ll do it,’ he said miserably.

‘And James, I don’t appreciate you trying to con me.’

James walked towards the staircase and found Shak and Kyle cracking up on the first landing.

‘Busted,’ Shak grinned.

‘Shut your face,’ James tutted. ‘I don’t care anyway. It’s only some piddling question-and-answer sheet and Kerry’s in my