Jonathan Creek- The Problems at Gallows Gate

Chapter 1

 “Look, Jonathan, I really appreciate your staying over,” said Madeline, patting down the blankets on the sofa, “I mean- I know you’d be entirely useless if they did come back-”

  “Of course,” interjected Jonathan, rolling his hazel eyes as he leaned against the doorframe.

  “-but there’s just something really comforting about having someone else in the house with you- gives me a real sense of security, especially with the lock broken,” continued the lady, either not hearing or heeding Jonathan’s sarcastic comment as she plopped down two fat pillows on the makeshift bed.

  “Interesting security system,” remarked Jonathan, running his eyes over a note pinned to the door, on which was written (in Madeline’s characteristically squarish handwriting)

              “TO ALL ASPIRING BURGLARS-  Don't bother I've been done"                                                                                  

  “Mate of mine coming over the fix up my lock for free next week Monday. Till then, that’s the best I can do,” replied Madeline defensively, poking her curly red head out from behind her bedroom door.

  “Well, don’t expect me to stay over all week; got my badger watch coming up two days from now. Not something I care to miss,” grunted Jonathan apologetically, pulling off a long grey sock as he got ready for bed.

  “All right then, I’ll arrange something with Christi-” Madeline stopped abruptly. Turning her head toward the blanket-swathed figure now occupying her sofa, she asked with a failed attempt at concealing a snigger, “I’m sorry, your what?” 

  His curly black head poked out from under the covers. “My annual badger watch,” he repeated.

  “What, like a Mickey Mouse watch?” - sarcastically.

  “My local natural history group. Couple of times a year, after dark, we put some food down then we all go sit, hide, and wait for the badgers to feed.”

  Wrinkling her nose and knitting her eyebrows, Madeline asked- “Why?”

  “Well…” said Jonathan, as if stating the obvious, “’cause they’re fascinating creatures.”

  “So it’s like… country stuff.” Said Madeline with barely masked contempt.

  “Right. Country stuff.” - raising an eyebrow. Some people just can’t understand the wonder and beauty of the natural universe, his face seemed to say. Some people need to get out there and watch badgers feed under cover of darkness more often. Some people are such idiots.

 “On the other hand,” he continued, “it does involve a great deal of patience and the need to keep one’s mouth shut for a very long time- so it’s probably not your scene.”

  “Meaning…?” asked Madeline, narrowing her eyes.

  “Sorry?” asked Jonathan from under the covers, whence he’d dived down again.

  “Perhaps you mean that I’m an intolerant gas-bag who can’t keep her trap shut for more than five seconds at a time?”

  “Sounds about right,” he mumbled.

  Seconds after, he felt a hairbrush hit him squarely on the chest, followed by what appeared to be an empty coke bottle.

  “Where is it?” asked Madeline.

  “Some… somewhere called Gallows Gate,” winced Jonathan, rubbing his injured chest.

  “I’ll let you know if I’m avalible,” she called, as she turned of the lights. The room, rendered messy by the burglars, was shut out of Jonathan’s sight.