6 A Surprise

Chapter 6 A Surprise Peanuts spent the rest of the tube journey quietly mulling over Little-Bit's theory and concluded that it was pretty watertight. It was exciting to think that the great lost masterpieces may not be lost after all, and even more exciting to think that they might be able to find and return them. Up until this point, she had mainly viewed the gang's trip back to Chroma as a fact-finding exercise (a) to determine whether Mr White was, as she suspected, behind the disappearing works of art, and (b) to find out why he did it. She was also keen to inform Mr and Mrs Markmaker, the leaders of the Resistance, of her suspicions about White's true identity. But now the purpose of the trip had changed. It had

become a rescue mission, and she couldn't help but be a little thrilled by the prospect. There was something else too. Peanut couldn't help but hope that there would be news of her dad. The Markmakers had told her that he had been working with the Resistance in secret for years, and that he had escaped from the Spire, but until now there had been no further information as to his whereabouts. Maybe this time someone would be able to tell her something. THIS IS LEICESTER SQUARE,' boomed the voice over the carriage speakers, bringing Peanut back into the real world with a jolt. 'CHANGE HERE FOR THE PICCADILLY LINE.' The three of them got off the train, made their way up the escalators and walked out into the balmy London evening. They picked their way through thirsty after-work crowds, and walked south along Charing Cross Road towards Trafalgar Square, passing the theatres, cafes, currency-exchange booths and chain restaurants. And there, next to a large statue of someone called Henry Irving, was the entrance to the National Portrait Gallery. Peanut looked at her watch. 5.45 p.m. 'It closes in fifteen minutes. Perfect! It'll be emptying out nicely. The children dashed through the entrance doors, ran up the stairs to the first floor and turned right, following the signs to the Victorian Galleries.

Then Peanut, who was leading the way, suddenly skidded to a halt. 'I don't believe it!' she said, aghast. Quick! Hide!' But it was too late. ' Peanut?' It was her older brother Leo! He was standing with a very tall security guard with huge shoulders, a neat white beard and a name badge that read 'Stanley'. 'Peanut, is that you?' 'Hi, Leo.' 'What are you doing here? Aren't you guys meant to be at the Science Museum?' 'What are we doing here? What are you doing here?' said Peanut. ' Since when have you visited art galleries? You don't like art. You like... maths!' Leo, who was indeed a gifted mathematician, seemed taken aback. ' I... er... well... you see, I'm... trying to educate myself.' He ran his fingers through his messy red hair. 'I don't believe you. He sighed. ' Look. You want the truth?' He glanced at the security guard, who shook his head slightly. 'It's just that, I'm, er, embarrassed that I don't know more about this stuff. I'm nearly eighteen, after all. And so, well, here I am. To learn. 'Rubbish!' snapped Peanut. 'I know you, Leonardo Jones, and I know full well that you have about as much interest in

Victorian portraiture as I do in... long division! No! As I do in FRACTIONS!' Leo opened his mouth, but then closed it again, as if he had been about to say something but changed his mind at the last minute. Instead, he walked quietly to the other side of the gallery and stood looking at a large painting of a woman writing on some parchment with a quill. Peanut went and stood next to him. She noticed that he looked tired. ' Leo,' she said softly. ' What's going on? Something's wrong. I know it. You haven't been the same since Dad disappeared. And now you're in an art gallery. An art gallery, Leo!' 'Do you know who this is, Peanut?' he said, looking up at the painting. 'It's Mary Shelley. She wrote Frankenstein. You know, that book about a bloke who built a big monster.' Peanut nodded. ' Well, do you ever feel like you've created a monster? Y'know, when something just gets bigger and bigger, becomes

more and more of a burden, until eventually you don't feel like you're in control of it any more?' Peanut thought about Chroma and the Spire, Little Tail and Mr White. ' Yes,' she said. 'Sometimes I do.' 'Well, that's how I feel at the moment. It's all just getting a bit... much.' 'What is?' she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. ' Your A-level results?' A-level results?' He let out a short laugh, but then quickly composed himself. 'I mean, er, yes. A-level results. That's it. I'm worried about my A-level results.' Peanut's eyes narrowed. Something didn't quite ring true. 'Listen, Peanut, I've got to go home. I'm already late. Don't worry, I won't tell Mum that I saw you here.' 'Thanks.' He turned to look along the gallery, towards a small bust of Queen Victoria at the far end of the room, and then looked back at his sister. ' Peanut, promise me one thing. Whatever it is that you're up to, you will be careful.' 'Er, and what, exactly, do you think I'm up to?' She also shot a look to Queen Victoria. Just promise me, OK?' Peanut nodded. 'OK, I promise.' 'Thank you. He ruffled her topknot, went over to say goodbye to