Enola Holmes- The Fox In The Henhouse

Chapter 17

I strike a match against the table and use it to light a candle. I only risk one for if someone were to walk past I'll need to be able to extinguish the flame quickly. I hold the candle close to the paper, as I try to make sense of what I'm seeing.

The type of bomb they plan on using appears to be a time bomb, while I've heard of them I have little knowledge of how they actually work. I recall reading of a failed assassination plot in 1880 at the Winter Palace in Russia. The Tsar's family narrowly avoided a gruesome death by mere minutes, because their guest was late, meaning they delayed dinner for the first time in years.

I carefully study the plans, memorising them. The bomb itself is ingenious. It's designed to look like a pipe bomb, even being fitted with a fake fuse; but inside the explosives are linked to a wind-up alarm clock, a large Dun-cell battery and a detonator.

Behind me George watches intently, studying me as I study the schematics. Finally, I roll them up and place them where I found them, sealing them behind the cabinet, and with a sign of relief George hurries me outside.

We make our way around the side of the house, walking on the grass as opposed to the pebble path to be as silent as possible, and George leads me into a small yet elegant stable. The wooden doors slowly creaking open feels as though it thunders through the silence of the night, causing my heart to beat wildly in fear; yet luckily the noise wasn't enough to wake the world from its slumber.

A fine array of horses are revealed. Shirehorses; all with a similar black and white coat to look as elegant as possible when drawing carriages.

I of course, what with growing up in the countryside, am well versed in riding; however, upon seeing George recoil at a Horse's whinny, it was quite clear that he wasn't a seasoned equestrian. I select a horse named Ruby, and instruct George on how to equip the saddle, bridle, girth and stirrups. After a considerable amount of struggling, I sit upon the horse's saddle, with George sitting behind me and clutching onto my shoulders. This isn't very effective at preventing someone from falling off, but even in a time of crisis George is too polite to put his hands on my waist.

I steady myself, as I must admit I'm surprised we even made it down here, and my entire body is shaking. I lean down and pat Ruby on the next, comforting myself under the guise of comforting her.

'George, I suggest you hold on tight.' I take the reins in my hands, and let the fresh air fill my lungs, something I haven't been able to do for quite some time.

I kick, spurring her on and she leaps out of the stable. As a blast of cold air hits my face I can't help but laugh, giddy with adrenaline and excitement as I hear her hooves rhythmically thud against the soft dirt floor. George squeals, bashfulness giving way to terror as he wraps his arms around my waist. I steer her onto the concrete driveway, and the thuds turn to roars as we tear through the path. I see the guards by the gates, their panicked expressions illuminated by the lanterns they hold as I speed up towards them. At the last moment, I tug on the right rein and Ruby jerks away from the gate. I nudge her, sending her into a gallop and she jumps over the brick wall that separates the Manor from London.

Once we're free, George loosens his grip slightly, and I feel him turn around; looking back at the walls that have caged him for so long. In an instant, the sound of laughter rings throughout the surrounding forest, as George is unable, and unwilling, to contain his joy.

As we sail past trees and fields, I look up at the sky. 'WWOOOOOOOOOOOO!' I yell, my sound of glee echoing over and over, as if the stars themselves were screaming with me! George and I laugh, drunk on freedom.

Then, in an instant, the happiness breaks; shattering like glass. George's hands slide off, and he is ripped from Ruby's back. 'GEORGE!' I scream, and look back while pulling on the reins as hard as I can. Ruby skids on the muddy road, and in a state of panic, bucks me off. I plummet to the floor, the wind knocked out of me and my bones shiver upon impact. I look up to see Ruby's front legs smashing down towards me and I roll away, using my arms to cover my head. They thunder down only inches away from me, so hard it feels as though the world was cracked in two, and Ruby gallops off into the night.

I lay on the road, desperately trying to catch my breath as it rises and falls uncontrollable. George! I try to stand up, forgetting about my foot, and collapse in even more agony. I scan the area, looking for him. Eventually I spot his limp body sprawled across the mud, and I desperately crawl to where he lays.

I rest my head against his chest, and breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing his pulse. But it is weakened... I shake him, trying to wake him, but to no avail.

Suddenly, I hear a faint but clear yell, and I know it's the guards looking for us. I could try to hide, they'd take George and assume I'd ridden off. But I look at George, blood gushing from his temple. They could barely bandage my broken leg, and with George being a traitor...

Paint your own picture, Enola. Don't be thrown off by other people. Especially men!

Once again mother, I must go against your words.

'HELP! QUICK WE'RE OVER HERE!' I scream into the darkness. 'HURRY! HE'S HURT!'