Secret Army - Robert Muchamore Page 0,27

poker champion of the seven seas. He wears a patch over both eyes and has hooks on the end of each tentacle. I lost every time, as well.’

As the players laughed, Rosie looked behind and saw Paul standing up and clutching his side.

‘You OK, mate?’ she asked.

Paul grimaced. ‘I just need a crap.’

They played another hand and Rosie was delighted to find herself holding three queens. She tried raising the stakes to maximise the winnings from her strong hand, but she was a cautious player and everyone grew suspicious when she tried to raise the bet.

The win was still enough for Rosie to double the size of her pile of buttons and she stood up and waved her arms in the air as she scooped up her winnings. When she sat back down, she noticed that Luc wasn’t on his bed.

‘Did you see where Luc disappeared to?’ Rosie asked.

‘Yeah,’ Joel said. ‘He went out just after your brother.’

*

Paul was feeling worse as he got tired. He sat on the toilet with a throbbing head and, although he’d escaped serious injury, aches and bruises made every movement a trial.

‘My old mate!’ Luc smiled, as Paul slid the bolt across the door and stepped out of the cubicle. ‘Fancy seeing little Paulie here!’

Luc grabbed Paul by his pyjama top, swung him around effortlessly and bundled him into the shower area at the back of the room. The floor was covered with puddles and steam hung in the air.

‘Leave me the hell alone,’ Paul protested.

Luc mocked Paul’s voice as he shoved backwards through the puddles and jammed him against the tiles. ‘Nuh-na-na-nuh-nuh-nuh.’

‘Let me go.’

Luc lifted Paul off the ground with one arm and thumped him against the wall. ‘I tell you what,’ he smiled. ‘I had enough fun with you down in the hall this morning, so I’ll let you go if you lie down on your belly, kiss my feet and tell me how great you think I am.’

‘I’d sooner die,’ Paul spat.

Luc laughed. ‘Do it now, or I’ll smack you around and make you.’

Paul considered his options. If he yelled, Luc would stick his hand over his mouth and probably knock his head against the wall for good measure. If he stood his ground he’d end up taking another beating. So lying on the floor, getting his pyjamas soaking wet and kissing Luc’s feet was pretty much his only option.

‘You’re twisted,’ Paul said, as he went down on one knee. ‘You know that, don’t you?’

As Paul spoke, the bathroom door came open. Rosie leaned in and shouted out. ‘Paul, are you OK?’

The showers were off to the side, so Rosie couldn’t see the boys. Luc put a finger in front of his lips and gave Paul a severe look.

‘Keep your trap shut.’

Part of Paul wanted to yell out, but he didn’t want Rosie to see him kneeling on the floor, being humiliated.

‘Paul,’ Rosie shouted, then she turned back and spoke to someone else. ‘I don’t think he’s in here.’

‘I’ll check the showers up the back,’ Joel said.

Luc grabbed Paul up off the floor and eyeballed him. ‘You say one word,’ he growled menacingly.

‘What are you doing back here?’ Joel asked.

He was joined at the entrance to the showers by Rosie, Marc and PT.

‘Why can’t you keep your hands off my brother?’ Rosie shouted.

‘I haven’t touched him,’ Luc smiled. ‘He slipped in a puddle. I was helping him up.’

Paul looked at the wet leg of his pyjama trousers as PT and Joel stepped up to Luc.

‘I turned a blind eye when it was the odd shove or kick in the hallway,’ PT said angrily. ‘But it’s well out of order now. It’s got so that Paul can’t even go to the toilet without you smacking him around.’

In the background, Marc threw a mound of towels in the sink and turned on the cold tap, full blast.

‘I can take any one of you, just like that,’ Luc said aggressively, snapping his fingers.

‘But not all of us,’ Joel said pointedly. ‘Rosie and PT have warned you to cut out the bullying, but you’ve ignored us. McAfferty would expel you if she found out, but we’re prepared to give you one chance.’

Luc looked uncertain as Paul backed away from him.

‘Fine, I’ll stop,’ Luc said indignantly. ‘What do I care? He’s just a scrawny little poofter anyway.’

‘That’s agreed then,’ PT smiled. ‘Now lie face down on the floor.’

‘What?’ Luc gawped.

‘Face down,’ PT repeated. ‘What’s so hard to understand?’

‘You’re not just getting away with it,’ Rosie smiled.