14 The Jerusalem Plate

14 The Jerusalem Plate Outside, Peanut got to work quickly. She was standing on a narrow pathway that ran around the outside of the church, hidden from the eyes of the tourists that were in the square. She had Little Tail in her left hand and was drawing a picture of a door on the wall as quickly as she could. As the point danced smoothly across the brickwork, she remembered what Dad had told her about the power of the pencil and the artist who wields it.

She tried her best to concentrate her thoughts on the Spire, specifically Mr White's control room at the top of it. That's where she needed this door to lead to, after all. Fortunately, it wasn't long since she had been there with Little-Bit and Rockwell, so it felt fresh in her mind. Two minutes later, Peanut was done. She stood back and admired her work. Then she slipped the pencil into its slot on her bandolier, walked around the corner through a small gate and— into the square right outside the church. The sight that greeted her made her heart sink. Mr Stone was standing with a nervous-looking Leo, Little-Bit and Rockwell, talking very animatedly. Peanut rushed over.

'What do you want? Where's Mum?' she shouted. Ah, here she is,' sneered Mr Stone. ' Little Pernilla. Don't worry, your mother will be out in a minute. In the meantime, as I was just telling the kindergarten class here, I've got a bone to pick with you, girl.' He grabbed Peanut by the arm and pulled her roughly towards him. 'If you think for one second that you're going to derail my plans, then you are sorely mistaken.' His snarling face was so close to Peanut's she could feel his hot breath on her eyeballs. 'You will NOT ruin this for me! So when Mummy comes out, why don't you give her one of your repulsive little hugs, tell her you have some homework to finish and then scuttle off back to whichever filthy little cave the four of you emerged fr—' Suddenly, he stopped talking. Nerys had appeared, silently, next to the group. Stone paused for a beat, smiled and let go of Peanut's arm, tapping her affectionately on the head as he stepped backwards. Peanut's heart was beating wildly. This man was so dangerous. She would not let him hurt Mum. Or Nerys, who returned her shocked stare with an 'I-told-you-so' look in her eye. ' YOO-HOO, EVERYONE! HERE I AM,' shouted Mum in a sing-song voice as she came out of the church door

and skipped over to the group. 'What's going on here then? Has something happened?' 'Oh no, no, no, no, no, no,' said Stone. 'I was just... apologising to Pernilla for the fact that the return flight I booked for them was leaving so soon. Unfortunately, it was all I could get at such short notice.' 'Return flight?' said Mum, looking down at her daughter. 'Oh. When are you leaving?' Any minute now, actually,' said Stone before Peanut could answer. 'Flying visit. So I suppose, sadly, that we should say our goodbyes. It has been a delight to see you all, though.' Nerys subtly kicked Peanut's foot and looked at her with pleading eyes. ' Er, yes,' said Peanut. 'I'm afraid he's right. It's only a flying visit. But don't worry because before we go we've arranged for, um, a private view of, er, that, er, that other priceless artefact. You know, the really famous one that is also kept in this church. Another priceless artefact? Other than The Last Supper?' asked Mum, perplexed. 'Exactly,' replied Peanut. 'You know, it's the... It's the...' 'It's the Jerusalem Plate!' interrupted Little-Bit. 'You know, the actual plate that Jesus

used at the actual Last Supper. They keep that here as well. In fact, I think it still has a bit of Jesus's dinner on it.' 'Really?' said Mum. 'I've never heard of the Jerusalem Plate.' 'Er, no. Not many people have,' said Rockwell. 'Only a very select group of people ever get to see it.' 'That's right,' added Leo. ' Fortunately, Mr Stone here is very well-connected and has managed to get us all a pass.' Mum turned to Nerys, who smiled and nodded her head enthusiastically. And the thing is,' said Peanut, looking down at her non-existent watch, 'we have to go in right now. We only have a small window of time, you see.' 'Oh, OK then,' said Mum. ' Well, again, that's so kind of you, Milton. I guess we'd better go in.' 'Yes,' Stone replied suspiciously. 'I guess we'd better go in.' 'Follow me,' said Peanut. ' The door is just around the corner.' She led the group through the small gate and onto the narrow pathway. Here we are,' she said, when they got to her illustration. She put her hand on the graphite handle and carefully turned it. The latch clicked, and she pulled the door open. After you,' she said politely. And then she ushered the entire party through, closing the door behind her just as it started to crumble.