Midsummer's Night Murder

2

Just over a week later, I was sitting with my feet up most unladylike on the red seat of our rather stuffy train compartment, leaning on Daisy, who obviously took the window seat. She opened up the window, and a summery breeze blew in, that smelt of grass and sunshine. Her golden hair was swirled up under her hat so as she wouldn't be recognised as a supposedly 'dead girl'; but a wavy lock slipped out and tickled my face. I pushed it out of the way and smiled to myself, as I thought of the plans for the coming 6 weeks. Daisy's Uncle Felix and Aunt Lucy had made sure that Daisy would get no more cases from the government for the whole holidays. I believe she is glad about that, despite what she says. We're spending the entire time at Fallingford, the Wellses' house; but Lord and Lady Hastings were elsewhere, which I was rather happy about, as I don't think Daisy would have come if she had to see them. Things hadn't been going well since our 2nd case. Best of all, Alexander and George would be there too! I simply squirmed with delight every time I thought about it!

My hand automatically dropped to my bag, where my letters were hidden, and I turned to look at Daisy, checking if she was still awake. Of course she was: Daisy rarely ever slept in public. She said it was very 'unladylike' and that she didn't want to 'miss anything if there was a murder'. So I switched to the other side of the seat so she couldn't see, and gently opened up my bag. The letters were well-thumbed and some a little tear stained. Many were rather singed from when I warmed them rather eagerly to reveal the message written in invisible ink. I pulled one out at random, and unfolded it.

Georgina and I are well. Hope you and Daisy are too.

Alexandra x

I flipped it over.

Dear Hazel,

How are you doing? Is school okay? Any new cases? George and I haven't had any, unless you count the 'case of the missing apple', which we don't. Have you heard from Daisy recently? You're very brave not to see your best friend by the way, and I know it must be really hard to keep the secret. You're amazing!!

By the way, I wrote to Mom and Dad asking if I could join you at Fallingford and they said..... YES!! And George can come too! I can't even explain how excited I am - I miss you very much. Only 3 weeks and 4 days till we see each other again! Also, when is your birthday? Is it the 30th or 31st of July? I'm so happy that I can give you your present in person l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶i̶s̶h̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶'̶v̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶m̶e̶ . Sorry, Hazel, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful.

Hazel, have you heard of the war? I hope I'm not the first person you hear it from, but they say there's going to be another war. And by they, I mean the government. To be perfectly honest, I'm scared. But that doesn't mean you should be, and I don't want you to worry. Besides, we'll be okay. Even if there was one, it still wouldn't be for a few years. George and I might have to, well, fight, but you can go home to Hong Kong, and you'll be safe. We would all get through it safely, wouldn't we?

Anyway, enough about that. What shall we do during the holidays? We'll probably have to stay around Fallingford, as there will be no adults (yay!). But I suppose if Daisy's Uncle Felix and Aunt Lucy aren't busy, then they could take us all somewhere like the beach? That entirely depends though, and you don't like British beaches, so maybe not. We'll think of something when we get there!

Well, I suppose that's all I have to say at the moment! I miss you, and I'm dying to see you!

Love,

Alex xx

I could hear the American twang in his voice in my head as I read it. The 'xx' still sent a happy tingle through my body, even though I knew the letter off by heart. My eyes had only glazed over the part about the war. I was scared too, and I was scared for Daisy, and George, and Alexander. And I was scared for Father, and Ah Mah, and Jie Jie, and Teddy, Rose and May. What if I wasn't safe back in Hong Kong? If Hong Kong was safe, I'd take Alex, Daisy and George with me, whether they liked it or not. I couldn't bear to think of Daisy cowering in a bomb shelter, and George and Alexander lying dead on the battle field. So I didn't. I turned around and lay back against Daisy, and thought about the Summer, and happy thoughts about having fun with my 3 best friends. I was sure I only closed my eyes for a second, but next thing I knew, I was being vigorously shaken, and someone was saying in my ear:

"Hazel, wake up! Wake up you chump - we're here!"