Moonlight Secrets (#2 Penderry's Bizarre)

Chapter Seven

Three days later

Jim's eighteen-year-old sister, Sophie, read aloud from the flyer in her hand. "World Science Fair. Exhibits from around the globe. Be astounded by discoveries, enthralled by inventions. Admission, one shilling." She looked up from beneath her bonnet, the breeze ruffling the dark curls dangling around her ears. "Oh, it sounds so exciting."

The entrance to the British Museum bustled with people. Outside the colossal building, with its rooftop pediment, carved statues, and Greek pillars, a noisy queue spilled down the steps to the forecourt.

Jim's grandmother, Primrose, pursed her wrinkled mouth and tutted. "Well, I think it's shocking that we have to queue when my own brother has an exhibit."

Jim hummed in agreement. "Indeed. Let's slip in through the backdoor."

"James." Sophie chided him with his full name, but amusement laced her tone. "We'll do no such thing. We're honest, paying customers like everyone else."

"Well said, Miss Penderry," said Westman.

"I heard that Professor Bukoski will be here." Sophie hugged a book to her pinstriped jacket, the ruffled cuffs of her blouse obscuring the cover. "Do you think he'll sign my copy of The Natural History of Mosses?"

"I can't see why not," said Westman.

Primrose took Jim's arm for support and they joined the line of visitors. By the time they reached the admission box and handed over their coins, he'd counted four 'looks' from the public. It was remarkable how a black eye could cause such a sensation. The vendor at the ticket booth stared, and a small child took refuge behind her mother. That made six. Then a married couple glanced at him and moved on with haste. Eight.

"What a charming effect you have on people," said Westman, his eyes twinkling.

"I know. Mother would be proud."

A domed glass ceiling let in natural light, but today the clouds cast a sallow gloom overhead. Despite the poor seasonal weather, a crowd filled the dingy museum. Amongst the displays and demonstrations, they found Primrose's brother hosting an exhibit. A banner above his head announced Occult Sciences.

Sophie stretched on her toes to peer over a row of heads and spotted her uncle and his assistant. "Uncle Broom!"

Broom Penderry whipped up his head, a fluffy piece of white hair wavering in the air. "Sophie!"

Without warning, she pulled Westman towards the display.

Jim followed, curious to learn what invention Broom had brought to the exposition. His great uncle, a former professor at Oxford University, studied the stranger side of science. And his obsession with the supernatural had birthed the magazine, Penderry's Bizarre, a scientific exploration into weird occurrences around the country. The blackboard on the display table described his latest fascination. The Theory of Telepathy.

Broom greeted his relatives. "Ah, my family, you're here."

"Uncle." Jim gave him a nod.

Broom pushed a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "I'm so glad you could make it. And you've brought Mr Westman along, I see."

"Strictly as a spectator," said Westman. "Don't get any funny ideas about hooking me up to your contraption." He pointed at the scientific apparatus on the table.

Jim followed his finger to the ominous looking wires and battery packs. "But I thought you enjoyed testing his inventions? What was the last trial? A ghost detector, wasn't it?"