CHERUB: The Fall - Robert Muchamore Page 0,42

drinks. You’re tired and a bit over-emotional.’

‘You’re not even worth crying over.’ Sniffing, Kerry knotted her robe and began hunting for her slippers. ‘I’ve been planning this for weeks. Everything was supposed to be perfect. You don’t have any respect for me or my feelings.’

‘I can’t help it,’ James said desperately. ‘I’ve really had fun today. I do love you and I want to be a fantastic, wonderful, caring boyfriend who understands your feelings and all that stuff. But I’m also a fifteen-year-old virgin and I really, really need a shag.’

Kerry wiped her eye on the sleeve of her gown and James thought he heard her laugh as she stepped towards the door.

‘Goodnight, Casanova,’ she tutted.

17. BRIGHTON

James was woken by the buzzer on his door. It went off again as he scrambled around in the nude looking for his robe.

‘Hang on, I’m coming,’ James shouted.

He was surprised to see Lauren standing in the doorway. She was fully dressed, with her jacket on and her wheeled suitcase behind her.

‘Hello,’ he said curiously. ‘What time is it?’

Lauren glanced at her watch. ‘Eight minutes past seven,’ she said as she stepped into the room.

James had been up worrying about what had happened with Kerry. He’d had less than four hours’ sleep and the wine had left him feeling groggy.

‘What’s going on?’ he asked. ‘I didn’t think we had anything planned for this morning.’

‘You don’t,’ Lauren said, as James sat down on the corner of his bed and rubbed his eyes. ‘I think you’ve got a session in the spa booked for later, massage and that. I was well looking forward to it, but I’ve got a mission and John Jones is waiting downstairs.’

‘Oh,’ James said, surprised. ‘When did this happen?’

‘I found out yesterday, but I didn’t mention it last night ’cos it always feels a bit sad when someone’s going away. I didn’t want to spoil the mood.’

‘How long for?’

‘Less than a month and it’s only down in Brighton so we’ll probably see each other.’

‘Who’s with you?’

‘John’s the mission controller, but I’m the only agent.’

‘Oooh, black T-shirt and going on your first solo mission at twelve years of age,’ James said, a touch sarcastically. ‘You’re quite the little superstar, aren’t you?’

Lauren flushed and looked down at the carpet as she realised that she was being insensitive. ‘I hope your inquiry and everything works out, James,’ she said awkwardly. ‘I mean, nobody can fault your record on missions until now. You’re the only agent who was on both of the missions that knocked out Help Earth. I’ve heard loads of people say that you should have got the black shirt for that.’

‘I expect it’ll all turn out OK in the end,’ James said unconvincingly. ‘Anyway, good luck with your mission and keep safe.’

‘It’s categorised as low risk, so there’s no need to worry,’ Lauren grinned, as the two siblings hugged. ‘And do me a favour and keep an eye on Rat for a few days. He was a bit choked last night when I told him I was going away. He’s not been at CHERUB for long and I think Andy’s his only close mate.’

James nodded. ‘I’ll invite Rat along if something’s happening. I like him anyway, although it’s awkward when Andy’s around. He’s still sore because I beat him up that time.’

‘Hardly surprising,’ Lauren grinned.

‘I’ve apologised about eighty-six times,’ James shrugged. ‘You can only say it so much.’

‘Anyway, John’s waiting in reception. I’d better skedaddle.’

‘One last thing. You haven’t spoken to Kerry, have you?’ James asked. ‘Only, we had a bit of a row late last night.’

Lauren stared pointedly at the condom on the bedside table. ‘I wonder what that was about,’ she said.

‘I feel really bad,’ James muttered. ‘I mean, you and Kerry set all this up and I end up rowing with her. Plus she’d had a few glasses of wine and you know how she gets.’

‘Haven’t spoken to her,’ Lauren said. ‘But I’d recommend grovelling and lots of it.’

*

James couldn’t get back to sleep. He ended up ordering tea and toast from room service and sitting on his bed reading the Sunday paper he’d found outside his door.

Kyle called just after nine. ‘Everyone seems to be up and about. We’re heading down to breakfast and we’re booked into the spa for ten o’clock.’

‘Righty ho,’ James said. ‘I’m not sure about this spa thing though. Have you ever been to one? It looks girly to me.’

‘Can’t say I have,’ Kyle said. ‘But you should have seen the girls cooing over the