Olivia's Enchanted Summer by Lyn Gardner Page B

went well, didn’t it?” said Aeysha happily.
    â€œDid you hear anything odd after my tightrope routine?” asked Olivia.
    â€œWhat do you mean, odd?” asked Georgia.
    Olivia found she couldn’t quite bring herself to explain. She shrugged, but her face was anxious and she felt on edge.
    â€œAll I heard was the sound of people enjoying themselves,” said Aeysha.
    They stopped to buy sandwiches and then wandered into Greyfriars Kirkyard. They were just starting to cross the path towards a tree so they could sit in the shade when the girl in the yellow dress came running along the path at full tilt, her dog close on her heels. She clearly didn’t intend to stop, so they stood back to let her pass, but she didn’t even thank them. Instead, when she saw Olivia, she looked surprised, scowled and then stuck out her tongue. She clearly hadn’t forgotten their encounter at the magic show. The collie gave a little woof as if in thanks and raced after her.
    â€œDid you see that!” said Olivia, outraged, as they settled themselves under the tree. But she gasped as the same thickset man they had seenon the steps at the Mound suddenly appeared through the other gate.
    â€œI think he’s the reason she was in a hurry,” said Georgia.
    â€œThere’s something really odd about all this,” said Aeysha. “You don’t often see kids being chased through the streets by grown-ups, do you? Livy, did you ever tell Jack about what you saw in the garage?”
    Olivia blushed. “No, I forgot. I’ve had other things on my mind and so has Dad.”
    â€œI think you should,” said Aeysha. “Maybe those girls are in some kind of trouble?”
    â€œP’haps they’re runaways?” said Georgia. “That could be why they’re sleeping in a garage.”
    The man lumbered towards them. He was breathing heavily as if he’d been running and his forehead was shiny with sweat. “You seen a girl?” he asked. “Dark hair. Yellow dress. Dog.” He gave what he clearly hoped was a charming smile. “My niece,” he added, and there was a sorrowful edge to his voice. “The wee one and her big sister, both a bundle of trouble. They’ve been nothing but a pain since I took them in and gave them a home after my poor sister died.” He shook his head sadly. “But they’re poor weeorphans and I’m just trying to do my best by them. But my best is not good enough for them. Na’er a thank you. All they do is keep running away.” He put his hand theatrically on the left-hand side of his chest. “It’s breaking my old heart. If you tell me where she went you’d be doing her and me a favour. I want us to be a family again.” His eyes watered. The girls were so embarrassed they didn’t know where to look.
    He seemed so pitiful that Georgia began: “I think she—” when Aeysha butted in firmly and said, “We haven’t seen her. Sorry.”
    A shadow of something that might have been fury passed across the man’s face as if he was certain they were lying, but he quickly composed his features, thanked them and hurried away.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell him that we did see her?” asked Georgia. “He was so sad about his nieces. I thought he was going to cry.”
    â€œOr maybe he’s some kind of con man who’s very good at acting,” said Aeysha tartly. “How do you know he’s even their uncle?”
    â€œHe’s definitely right about the lack of manners,” said Olivia.
    â€œLook,” continued Aeysha, “I know thatgirl’s really rude, but maybe she and her sister have got a very good reason for running away from him? Maybe it would be really awful for them if he found them? One thing I do know is that the girl’s dog doesn’t like him. He tripped him up on the Mound, and if that clever dog doesn’t like him,