75 Back in the Bunker

Part Five ...in which Peanut really wants to go home

75 Back in the Bunker The heat from the roaring fire in the Bunker's circular living room felt more welcome than ever. Peanut was sitting in an armchair sipping from a large mug of tea, with Little-Bit on her lap and Doodle at her feet. All around them, people were pulling books from shelves and packing them into the large, labelled cardboard boxes that were piled high around the room. 'So, where will the new headquarters be?' asked Peanut. ' Well, we have a few options,' replied Mrs M from the kitchen. 'The good news is that Mr White and the RAZERs seem to have gone for the time being at least. It won't take us long to pack everything up and, as soon as we have, we will move to the new location.

Mrs M smiled as she walked through the triangular doorway holding a tray of hot crumpets. 'By the way, Rockwell is going to be just fine.' She set the tray down next to Peanut. 'We were worried that he might have a concussion because he wouldn't stop talking nonsense: something about "triple maths" and "differentiation", but it turns out that he's just a bit worried about school. Totally normal for a boy of his age. 'Did you tell him about the pencil? About the fact that we can't get back home?' asked Peanut. 'Now, why would I have told him something like that?' Because it's true. That pencil was our only way out of here. At that moment, Mr M strolled into the room and warmed his hands over the fire. Peanut leaned forward. 'Hello, Peanut,' he said. 'No word from your father, I'm afraid. We've put the word out with our best agents, but we've heard nothing yet. Peanut slumped back in her chair. Mr M smiled kindly and walked over. 'Listen, my girl, your dad has proved his resourcefulness many, many times during his long service with the Resistance. For that reason, I firmly believe that he's OK. I'd wager that, as we speak, he's hiding from Mr White and the RAZERs somewhere in the city. If I know Gary, he'll be biding his time until an opportunity to move arises. We just have to be patient.

'Yes,' said Peanut. 'I think you're right. I can't explain why, exactly, I just do... Something in the kaleidoscoppi's song told me he was safe. And at least we know he was in the Spire until just a few days ago. I knew he would never leave us on purpose!' 'One thing I can promise you,' said the old man, 'is that we will find him. This city owes you a great debt, and we will do whatever we can to reunite you with your dad. You and your friends are fully fledged members of the Resistance now, and we always look after our own.' 'Speaking of which,' said Mrs M, 'we have a proposition for you.' 'What is it?' Peanut was intrigued. ' Well, we wondered whether you would like to continue the work that your father was doing on our behalf. ' The top-secret spying mission you told me about?' she said. 'The very same,' said Mrs M smiling. 'We suspect that there's some kind of link between your world and Mr White, and your dad was looking for evidence that might connect the two.' Peanut flushed with pride. ' Well, if it was good enough for my dad, then that's good enough for me. I'm in.' 'But first, young lady, we need to get you back home to Melody Road,' said Mrs M. 'We don't want your mother to worry.

Peanut looked confused. 'But... but... we can't go home! Mr White has Little Tail! How can I draw a door if I don't have Little Tail?' 'Ah yes. About that...' She rose from her chair and stood next to her husband. ' Peanut. Do you remember when you first arrived, I explained how the city of Chroma came into being all those centuries ago?' 'Yes.' Peanut nodded. 'You said it started with the Rainbow Lake.' 'That's right. And do you remember my mentioning people from the outside world, your world, coming to visit? Famous artists and creatives throughout history?' 'Yes.' 'Well, how do you think they got here?' 'I, er, I'm not sure. You said that there were rumours of portals between Chroma and the outside world, but you said they were never found. Mrs M turned to face Peanut. 'I'm embarrassed to say, I wasn't telling you the truth.' 'What do you mean?' 'Well, you see, we know that there is at least one portal, said Mr M, smiling. 'It's a secret we guard closely, but we know exactly where it is.