Chapter 48
Tatscombe Hall, Wealdshire. 1517
'Stop here,' Josie whispered.
'Are we there?' Starling asked.
'Yes. The trees stop here. We have to follow a path to the house.'
'Do we leave our bikes here?'
'No,' Chris told him. 'We need to take our bikes to the front door so that we can make a quick getaway.'
'Are you sure this is going to work?' Starling asked, for the umpteenth time.
'Mr Starling,' Josie hissed, 'You've been asking us that question ever since we left the time gate. Our plan will work. It's up to you whether we go ahead.'
Starling took a deep breath and let it out slowly though his mouth. 'Okay, let's do it.'
I have to do this, Starling told himself. I have to do it. I have to do it.
He doesn't sound very enthusiastic about this, thought Chris.
Is he going to change his mind at the last minute? wondered Josie.
The three pushed their bikes slowly along the path towards the front of the house. There was very little light from the sky, and the house was in total darkness. They flinched as an owl hooted.
When they reached the house, they put their bikes onto their stands and removed the equipment which they needed: stereo, torches, devil masks, and bags to put the loot in. They slipped on their masks and tiptoed to the door.
'I'll knock at the door,' Chris said, as quietly as he could. 'You two be ready when the door opens. As soon as you see someone, switch your torches on and light up your masks. Ready?'
'Yes,' hissed Josie.
'No!' cried Starling — as Chris hammered on the door.
The sound reverberated through the building and was sure to wake the whole household.
'No no no,' whined Starling. 'This is silly, this is wrong, I don't want to—'
The door opened as Starling started to turn away.
He turned to stone when he saw the hideous face glaring at him. But managed to scream.