But that wasn’t the spot of trouble Lucy was talking about, because no one knew what had really happened except Emmy, her two best friends, and the two teachers who had helped save her. As far as anyone else knew, it was all just a dare that had gone wrong.
“Well, I certainly hope there won’t be anything like that this year. I don’t want to be the one dealing with all that rubbish. I hear they’ve hired a new head of security, so hopefully she’ll do a better job at keeping you kids under control.”
“She?” Emmy would breathe easier if the new security person was a woman. The Order was a strict “boys only” club.
“Yes, I read all about it in that school newsletter your mother signed me up for. I guess the last fellow quit at the end of the year.”
Emmy shivered. She always did that when she thought about the old head of security, Jonas. She had trusted him, but he was the one who had caught her in the tunnels, chased her into the belfry of an old church, and tried to kill her. All because of something that was sitting in her backpack right now. She clutched her bag tighter. She would probably regret bringing the box of medallions with her, but she liked having it close. As far as Jonas and the Order were concerned, it was destroyed. If they found out differently… Well, there was no turning back now.
After what seemed like the longest car ride ever, they finally made it to Lucy’s house in one piece.
“Don’t touch anything,” Lucy said as she opened the front door. “Georgian town houses cost a fortune in London, especially when they’re in such perfect condition.”
Emmy looked around. No art. No family photos. No comfy chairs. Apparently “perfect condition” meant “stuffy old box.”
“Your room’s up on the next floor,” Lucy said. “It’s the little one at the end.” She banged on a door next to the entryway. “Harold? Are you in there?”
A grunt sounded from behind the door. That must be Lucy’s husband.
“Did the paperwork come from the club yet?” she asked.
Another grunt. This one must have meant no because Lucy crossed her arms and sighed.
“We’ve been offered membership in the Thackery Club,” she said smugly. “It’s the most prestigious club in the country, you know.”
Emmy wasn’t sure what could be so prestigious about a club, but from the way Lucy was smirking, it must have been a big deal.
“A couple members popped over for tea the other day and offered us exclusive pricing at their electronics store. Harold and I already got brand new cell phones for next to nothing.”
“There are people in the lounge,” Harold said, as though these “people” were some kind of pests that had weaseled through the door.
“What people?” Lucy bellowed.
“For the girl.”
It was like someone had dumped ice water down Emmy’s back. Someone was here for her. More than one someone. Were they from the Order? She’d always known it would be risky to come back to the UK, back to the school where Jonas had tried to kill her, but she figured she’d be safe now that they believed she didn’t have the box.
“They’re in the lounge,” Harold said.
Lucy opened the door on Emmy’s left. It was too late to run now.
Before Emmy could back away, a short, stocky girl with a black ponytail barreled through the door and practically tackled Emmy in a huge bear hug. “What took you so long? We’ve been waiting on that lumpy sofa for ages.”
All of Emmy’s fear melted away. “Hey, Lola.” It felt good to hug her best friend again.
Lola pulled away and gave Emmy a serious look. “You’ve been doing drills this summer, right?”
Emmy rolled her eyes and nodded.
“’Cause trials are in two weeks, and Madam Boxgrove is going to get after you if your left foot isn’t a bit faster when you’re dribbling.”
“I promise, I’ve been practicing!” Emmy shook her head. Leave it to Lola to ask her about soccer when they hadn’t seen each other in two months.
Emmy looked over Lola’s shoulder and saw a tall woman with wild, black hair. She leaned on her cane and smiled. “Lola’s been talking about you all summer. At least, that’s what her dad tells me.”
Emmy ran over and gave Lola’s mom a hug. Madam Boyd was in charge of Emmy and Lola’s house at Wellsworth, but over the course of the year, she’d come to mean a lot more to Emmy than just a housemistress.
“As touching as this little reunion is,” Lucy said, “I’m going upstairs to tend to Mr. Minicomb.”
“Who’s Mr. Minicomb?” Lola asked Emmy.
Emmy shrugged.
“You don’t mind if I take the girls out for a bit, do you?” Madam Boyd asked Lucy.
Lucy just waved her hand and didn’t look back, which Emmy assumed meant yes.
“We’ll get your things settled in your room first,” Madam Boyd said. Emmy and Lola each grabbed one of Emmy’s suitcases and heaved them up the staircase.
They passed two large bedrooms that didn’t look lived-in before they reached the little door at the end. The room was so tiny they could barely wedge the suitcases between the bed and the wall.
Lola snorted. “Guess you got the maid’s room.”
Emmy didn’t really care. It was only a week until she went back to Wellsworth. Just the thought of being back at school sent a warm rush through her. Wellsworth was where she belonged.
“Right, then,” Madam Boyd said, “let’s get going.”
Emmy tried to cover up a groan. She just wanted to crash. “Can I have a nap first?”
Madam Boyd peered out into the hallway and then snapped the bedroom door shut. “Sorry, this can’t wait. Your father has a job for you.”
Chapter 2
The Royal Bank of London
Emmy stared at Madam Boyd. “You know about my dad?” The last she’d heard, it was only her humanities teacher, Master Barlowe, who knew her dad was still alive.
“After the…incident at the end of last year, your father thought it best to have more than one person at school who knew the full extent of the situation,” Madam Boyd said. “Since I’m your head of house, I can keep an extra eye out for your safety.” She looked at Lola and narrowed her eyes. “And make sure you both stay out of trouble.”
“Have you seen him?” Emmy asked.
Madam Boyd shook her head. “Thomas and I have ways of communicating, but I never know where he is. It’s just not safe.”