Marigold and the Diamond Thieves

Chapter Eighteen: A Conversation with Whatnot

As they made their way down the seven staircases, Marigold and Whatnot could hear Lady Artifice boasting to Jet.

'My marvellous machine gives me control over mortality and the sun', she proclaimed. 'Power over life itself. I am Mistress of Nature!' And then she laughed with sheer delight.

Marigold turned on a step and looked at Whatnot's anxious face. 'What can we do?'

He shook his head sadly. 'Nothing', he said. This wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. She suddenly felt she was being squashed by a list of impossible things:

· Save the sun (and everything that needs its light).

· Help Bert and Bob break into The Tower of London.

· Steal part of the Crown Jewels.

· Don't get caught.

· Make it back before Jet is blown to pieces.

· Don't let Professor Bloom be discovered by Artifice.

· Don't let her operate on you.

· Stop her once and for all.

She took a breath.

One thing at a time.

She met Whatnot's eye. 'If we could just stop the Crusher, the sun would be safe.'

'She'll never leave the machine', he replied. 'If we go near it, she won't hesitate to destroy Jet.'

Marigold's chest felt tighter. She struggled for breath. She wanted to cry. Her eyes felt wet. She was crying. She sat down on the stair and took deep breaths. She began to recover. Now she felt embarrassed in front of this strange man who confused her. She gave in to her frustration. 'I just need somebody to help me!' she cried. She looked up at him. 'Please.'

Whatnot sat down next to her. He gave her the handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket. She dabbed her eyes and cheeks. He gave her a brief smile. Marigold began to smile back. Then she threw the handkerchief down the stairs and slid away from him across the wide step . She'd remembered. 'Did you... did you... kill Daffodil's baby?' she asked.

He gazed at her. 'I did not', he said.

Marigold looked into his eyes and saw the truth there. Relieved, she could manage a smile for him now.

'What happened to it then?'

Whatnot coughed. Marigold had heard men cough like that before. It was when they were upset about something and didn't really want to show it.

'Daffodil died in childbirth' he finally began. 'Her ladyship had the baby taken to some sort of children's home. She couldn't bear to have it here.'

'No', Marigold agreed. She glanced at her watch. There was now less than three hours to save Jet. 'Will you help me, Whatnot?'

'I don't know what I can do', he said miserably.

'You've been trying to keep me safe since I arrived.'

'Have I?'

'Yes, you have. You stood up to Lady Artifice when you couldn't put me in the Crusher.'

She watched him think about this. 'You don't want her to win, do you?'

'No', he said preoccupied. But when he spoke again it was with resolve. 'No, I don't. I've been frightened for too long. It's time I made a stand. I will try to be my old self. I will be Benjamin again'.

'Benjamin?' repeated Marigold, the yellow page of The House of Artifice, popping into her head. 'Benjamin Willow?'

'The very same', said Whatnot as he pushed back his shoulders.

'You're her husband!'

He nodded.

'That's why you called her "darling"!'

'Old habits do die hard.'

'But she treats you like a ...'

'Slave?' he suggested. 'I fell for her beauty. But she turned cold after we married. The first diamond she flung into the Crusher came from her engagement ring. She didn't want a husband. She wanted a servant all along.'

'But why have you stayed with her?'

'I loved her. I thought she'd love me back if she saw what a faithful servant I could be. But eventually I crossed her. What she did to Jet was part of my punishment. I've been too afraid to leave. Her revenge would be terrible.'

Marigold remembered Lady Artifice's words and repeated them. '"There's always consequences, Whatnot."'

'Precisely. And if we don't act, the consequences will be dreadful. You must be free to try and stop her. Never mind what happens to me.'

'I hope Bert and Bob haven't left already', she announced before she ran down the stairs. But she could feel his sadness follow her. She ran back to his side and gave him a hug. It felt like the right thing to do. She was sure Benjamin 'Whatnot' Willow hadn't had a hug for a very long time. He patted her back awkwardly.

'I'll come back for you', she said. She felt his whole body tremble.

He does need to toughen up.

'Be careful', she told him before pulling away and racing down the stairs to the library. She had to find the diamond thieves.

*

While Marigold looked for Bert and Bob, her parents were hoping that this would be the night they would find her. Since Archie Flaunt had spotted her at the theatre, he and Lolly had lain in wait at The Tower of London every evening. Archie had insisted that the diamonds of The Crown Jewels would be irresistible to the thieves. Now fully recovered from his injuries, he sat in silence next to Lolly on the back seat of FL4UNT 1.

The black Bentley passed a huge advert on an illuminated hoarding. It read:

 'Squirrel – Britain's Best-Selling Shoes'. 

Archie winced as he turned away from the massive image of the animal. It was clutching a tiny pair of shoes as if they were precious nuts.

Lolly let out a gasp as she took in the advert. Her eyes met Archie's for a second. She twisted her mouth into a strawberry shaped pout and tossed her head in disgust. Her yellow hair was now so long that this movement covered Archie's face with thick strands. He spat out the hair from his mouth and parted it away from his eyes.

'Watch it, Rapunzel!' he snapped.

Lolly rolled her eyes. 'You drag us out here every night and you've no idea what you're doing', she squawked. 'Suppose Marigold finally turns up, how you going to catch her?'

Archie grinned. From inside the pockets of his suit jacket, he pulled out two small pairs of manacles. Each pair were attached to a chain. 'I had them made especially', he said. 'She won't get far with these clamped around her wrists and ankles.'

Lolly looked at Archie. He saw in her eyes what he hadn't seen for some time. Admiration. He smiled at her and then at the manacles in his hands. Marigold Flaunt was coming back to them.

Next Chapter: Four Thieves Above the River