The Runaway Children Volume 2: The Astonishing Mr Smyle

By Jacy Brean

“You can do exactly what you like, as long as you do it with a smile.” So says the astonishing Mr Smyle on welcoming Alice, Miles, Joe and Odi to his equally astonishing castle. On the face of it, the children should have plenty to smile about - if only they could find their parents. Will their new friend help them in their quest? Can he protect them from Elymas and the evil nunjas? When you’re the richest and most important man in the world, nothing is impossible. Or is it? Keep up with Alice’s social diary, marvel at Miles’ moneymaking skills, meet the hapless Captain Catastrophe and, above all, look out for the sharks!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Kids
• Release date: Jun 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781849899925

Jacy Brean

Born in Stockport, Jacy Brean now lives in the heart of Derbyshire's High Peak. one of the UK's most popular destinations for walkers, hang-gliders, and people who love beautiful scenery. She has one daughter and an army of nephews and nieces.

Book preview

happening.

Chapter 1

Perched on the top of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the ‘Castle of Smyle’s’ was, like its owner, truly astonishing. White with a hint of pink, and set amongst acres of magnificent gardens on its own private island, it offered panoramic views from every direction: To the west, sea; to the east, vineyards and orchards; to the north, meadows and woodland. Yet none of these were quite as spectacular as the view from the south with its orange grove, lakes and waterfalls, perfectly framed by gently rolling hills.

The interior of the castle was no less impressive. On arrival, the children and their companions were led into the main hall, which seemed to be made entirely of marble, its creamy floors, walls and enormous staircase flecked with gold and polished to a mirror-like shine. The high-domed ceiling had been carved in alabaster, then decorated with a zillion tiny gems so that it sparkled overhead and in the middle of the hall was a large pool with a gigantic fountain spurting out of it.

Awesome! Odi gasped. It’s like the Trafford Shopping Centre!

There’s only one rule here, exclaimed Mr Smyle, ignoring Odi’s remark as he ushered the children through his magnificent lobby, You can do exactly what you like, as long as you do it with a smile. Smile, smile, smile! That’s the law! and to illustrate his point, he contorted his face into such an enormous grin it was a wonder his ears didn’t drop off.

After tossing his cloak towards an apple-cheeked lady, who also seemed to smile a lot, he skipped part way up the magnificent staircase, turned to face his audience and flung out his arms dramatically. All he needed was a top hat to go with his gold-tipped cane, and he could have been the star of a 1940s musical.

This he announced, is my kingdom and I’m willing to share it with you, so please consider yourselves my most welcome guests. Mrs Bennett will show you to your rooms and maybe afterwards you’d like to explore – just so long as you stay within the perimeters of my garden. I’d give you the guided tour myself but, as always, I am very, very busy.

And he gave another little skip, and an extra hop for good measure. Now, are there any questions? Without waiting for a response, he twirled back down the staircase and made towards one of the huge reception rooms that led off from the lobby. Good! he bellowed. Enjoy your stay! I’ll be in the library, Mrs Bennett, looking forward to a cup of tea and a slice of your most excellent cake at ten o’clock precisely.

The children watched him march across the enormous hall, nudging each other nervously until, just before their host disappeared completely, Miles plucked up the courage to speak. We want to see our parents! he blurted, then, feeling this might sound rather impolite, added the all important little word, Please.

Mr Smyle stopped, turned and stared blankly at Miles, as though he’d no idea what the boy was talking about, until finally his eyes flickered with realisation. Ahh, your parents, yes! he murmured, almost to himself. "Now here’s the irony. Since you went missing, they’ve been travelling quite extensively in their search for you and, at this precise moment, I’ve no idea where they could be. But I’m sure we can track them down eventually, so don’t worry, everything’s taken care of, young man, absolutely everything." With that, he gave a final nod to Mrs Bennett who, in turn, clapped her hands. Immediately, a swarm of servants appeared, or ‘aides’ as Mr Smyle preferred to call them, all dressed in smart red uniforms and all smiling broadly as they led the children, Roots and Laurel up the sweeping marble staircase.

Hey, it’s show time! cried Odi, All we need now is the Big Nose contest, and we all know who’d win that, don’t we? and he smirked at Alice.

To everyone’s astonishment, especially Odi’s, the aides began to laugh - not just titter, or chuckle politely behind their hands, but positively howl with merriment, doubled up with great big belly laughs, rolling helplessly on the floor, tears running down their cheeks, shrieking hyena-like with glee.

Ooooh, Master Odi, you are a wag! cried Mrs Bennett, stressing the point with a friendly shove, I can see we’re going to have to order more tissues!

"Wasn’t that funny! muttered Odi, Although you’ll have to get some man-sized tissues for my lady here!" and set the aides howling all over again.

Alice would normally have answered this jibe with her usual, disdainful glare had she not also been surprised by the servants’ reaction. If she was annoyed with Odi at all she soon forgot about it when they were shown to their rooms, each decorated in the theme of a particular jewel. Alice had the Sapphire Suite, which Mr. Smyle later claimed to have chosen for her specially on account of it matching her ‘wonderful blue eyes’, the fact that they were green having somehow escaped him). Miles was given the Emerald Suite, while Joe and Odi shared the Turquoise Room which had two large beds with mattresses so springy you could bounce on them up to ten feet high.

Roots, being an unexpected (not to say uninvited) guest, was assigned to rather more humble quarters.....a sparse, tiny room in the attic with nothing but a bunk bed and a cupboard, although Laurel fared rather better with the Oyster Chamber – apparently because she reminded Mr. Smyle of a Botticelli painting. Having had a proper look at Laurel, he decided he was rather glad he’d let her come. Exquisite! he sighed, A veritable Venus - Venus de Milo emerging from her shell!

Isn’t he wonderful?! exclaimed Alice. So kind, so friendly. And this house.....pinch me someone, I must be dreaming! Odi was only too happy to oblige making Alice yelp with pain.

It’s like being in a fairy tale said Roots, dryly. Grimm!

Aw, you’re just jealous ‘cos you’ve got the dog’s room Odi remarked before generosity got the better of him. But you can share our bathroom, if you like. It’s got a power shower, and a Jacuzzi, and a hot tub as big as a swimming pool.....

Mine has too! yelled Miles running into his own magnificent suite. And there’s even a basin for washing your feet! Sack this for a compost heap of gadgets! Roots sniffed, refusing to join in the excitement. I’m not struck by all this luxury…..too conspicuous by half, if you ask me. Give me a kennel any time - at least you can trust your neighbours!

Don’t worry, Roots, begged Alice. "We