Bridge of Lies: Adventures of Letty Parker, #2

By Misha Herwin

Letty Parker & Associates Detective Agency is finally in business. But before they can take on their first case, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous suspension bridge is blown up. Letty decides to investigate but getting hired is not as easy as she thought, especially when the Dark Ones have their own plans for her. Then there is Ma Pountney and her witches, plus the Bear and his gang of villains. Each determined to stand in Letty's way. Nothing goes right from the very start and one by one Letty's friends desert her.

Even in a city, crowded with folk arriving for the Balloon Festival, Letty finds herself alone – and in the greatest of danger. 

Bridge of Lies is the next book in the Adventures of Letty Parker. Following on from City of Secrets, it is a magical fantasy adventure for 8-12 year olds set in an alternative world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penkhull Press
• Release date: Apr 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386716693

Misha Herwin

Misha Herwin lives in Staffordshire, in a house with a dragon in the garden. There are no gargoyles on the roof, because the ones that watch live in Bristol where they keep an eye on Letty Parker and her friends. When she is not writing the next Letty adventure Misha enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and baking raspberry muffins.

Book preview

~CHAPTER ONE~

That’s us, Mango, we’re open for business. Letty Parker clapped her hands and stepped back to admire the plaque beside the front door. In the late afternoon sun it glowed against the white wall.

Looks like it’s made of gold, Mango said.

Letty grinned. It’s the gold that we got for rescuing Hepzibah what paid for it. Her pa gave us loads.

Even though we took her in the first place.

He never knew, Letty said happily. And she’ll never tell him, not now that she’s one of us. She gazed proudly at the plaque. Letty Parker and Associates. Mysteries Solved and the Missing Found, she read out loud. Sterling, she breathed, giving Mango a friendly punch on the arm.

Associates. Mango screwed up his eyes and pretended to read. A-sso-ci-ates, he repeated slowly, drawing out each letter.

That’s you and Jeb and Hepzibah. Gabriel too if he was here, Letty added sadly.

He’s not gone. Not forever. Mango slipped his hand into hers and gave her fingers a comforting squeeze. Maybe he’ll come back when we start getting business.

He’d better. Or we’ll sack him, Letty growled.

Laws, Mango yelped.

What is it?

Mango tilted his head to one side, then the other. Puzzled, Letty did the same.

It’s not straight, they said together.

But I measured it, Letty cried. With a ruler.

I hammered it right, Mango declared. You saw me. You was watching.

I was. All the time. So why’s it crooked?

Mango scratched his head. The house is not straight, he decided.

Perhaps, Letty said slowly. She was not convinced. The houses on St Michaels Hill, where she had rented rooms for her office, were very old and some of them had settled at odd angles, but she was sure she had taken that into account when she had done her measuring.

We’ve got to get it right. This is our office. It’s where people are going to come to give us work. If our notice is hung all askew then they’ll think we’re skew-whiff too.

We’re not. We’re sterling. We found all them missing kids when the Dark Ones took them.

Well I did, Letty thought, if it hadn’t been for me then they would have ended up with their blood drained from their bodies and their flesh cooked into pies

Best not mention them. She put her finger to her lips. Not ever. You never know who’s listening. She looked up at the roofs of the surrounding buildings, where after dark the Night Creatures gathered to chatter and gossip.

The Dark Ones have gone, haven’t they?

Of course but you still don’t say nothing, Letty warned and a shiver slid up her spine.

I wouldn’t. Ever… Mango glanced over his shoulder to reassure himself that there was nothing lurking in the shadows, then picked up the screwdriver and hammer. I’ll fix it right this time.

Wait there. I’ll get the ruler. I put it back on the desk. Letty went towards the door but as she did so the flags beneath her feet loosened and shifted, and she grabbed hold of the doorpost to stop herself from falling.

Letty, Mango shrieked, "the ground’s moving.’’

Bleedin’ ink! It’s an earthquake, Letty gasped. The earth trembled and rumbled like a thousand lions roaring in the zoo. The whole house was shaking. Her feet were going in all directions and her hands were slipping from the door jamb. The ground shuddered once again and she couldn’t hold on any longer. She sat down hard and wrapping her arms around herself, shut her eyes. Was this the end of the world? If so, why did it have to be today, just when she was starting on her new life?

Rats, she said. Her eyes jerked open and to her surprise, nothing had changed. The ground had stopped shaking, the sun still shone hot on her back, the house was still standing, and the notice was still crooked. Getting to her feet, she stepped back for a better view; her foot slipped. She stumbled helplessly into the road just as a carriage came hurtling towards her.

Letty! Mango flung himself at Letty. Grabbing her by the arm, he leaned back and swung her to safety. The two of them tumbled backwards, narrowly missing the hooves of the terrified horses.

Safely on the pavement they sat side by side, gasping for breath, and watched the vehicle careering towards the end of the street.

Gratis, multi gratis, Letty managed at last. Mango, I owe you.

Does that mean you’re buying supper? Mango’s face broke into a grin.

Rumbulin and steak pie, Letty confirmed. The very best. If you hadn’t done what you did, they’d be hauling me off to the Infirmary.

The graveyard more like.

Yeah, Letty said briefly, preferring not to dwell on what might have been.

Those horses were wild, Mango continued ghoulishly.

Letty peered down the hill where the runaway vehicle had slewed into the traffic on Park Row. If they’re not reined in they’re going to cause an accident, she said.

It’s the heat, Mango replied. Horses don’t like it. Makes them mad. Pretending to be crazy he jumped up and lunged at Letty, stamping his feet and waving his hands wildly in the air.

Stow it, she commanded. This is serious. It’s not the heat that did it. It’s been hot as a furnace for weeks. It’s the earthquake.

Maybe it spooked our notice too. Mango scuffed his foot on the pavement.

Don’t think so. Letty stood up. It was crooked before the ground started shaking. And—

Fire! Mango yelled, interrupting her.

Where? Letty clutched her thumbs for luck and hoped that the fire wasn’t in her new office, but to her relief Mango was pointing across the river. She saw a huge plume of white rising above the trees that lined the Clifton Gorge.

It’s coming from where they’re building the bridge, Letty cried. Come on Mango, let’s go and see what’s happened.

I’m not going. Mango hunched his shoulders and thrust his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

What do you mean? Letty demanded.

Mango stared somewhere over her left shoulder. It’s bad luck, he said reluctantly. That bridge is bad, bad luck.

That, Letty said, is moldywarps.

No it’s not. Is what everyone says.

Letty paused. It was true that some people in the city insisted that the new bridge across the gorge should never be built; that Bristol was not meant to spread out beyond the boundaries of the river. Over there on the opposite bank, Leigh Woods was a wild and dangerous place, where strange and mysterious things happened. It was rumored that beings from the dawn of time roamed through the woodland. Many believed that to link such creatures to the city by bridge would bring nothing but evil and destruction.

You don’t need to take no notice of them. They don’t know nothing. Are you coming, or not? If you don’t want to, you can stay here and… her glance strayed to the screwdriver that lay where Mango had dropped it …finish the job.

That’s all right, I’ll come with you, Mango said hastily. In case… he added.

In case of what? Letty thought. What could Mango possibly think she needed protection from? Letty tugged impatiently at her dress, which clung hot and heavy around her legs. This was not the weather for skirts and petticoats. If only she could run as freely as the boys and not be held back by all this stupid material.

At least the heat meant that she did not have to worry about the Barbary eels that slipped and slid out of hidden corners and fastened their teeth on your leg or ankle as you passed. The sun baked their skins and dried them out, so in the summer months they kept well hidden, deep in damp crevices and in the thick grey mud at the edge of the river.

Shaking her dress free, she started down the hill.

~CHAPTER TWO~

With Mango at her heels, Letty made her way down to the centre of the city. There were people everywhere, shouting and running and pointing towards the river. Park Row had almost come to a standstill. Carriages, cabs, wagons and drays crawled along nose to tail. Drivers cursed and cracked their whips over the backs of their animals. The horses whinnied, tossing their heads and flicking away the flies that buzzed around them.

Dodging between them, Letty and Mango were halfway across the road when, with a wild clatter of hooves, a light carriage forced its way through the traffic.

Make way, make way, screamed a voice. A slight figure wearing a tall hat, his face dewed with sweat, swayed on the driving seat. I must get to the bridge.

Letty looked at Mango and nodded. She bunched up her skirts in one hand and as the carriage swung past she jumped onto the back rail where a footman might stand. Clinging to the strap she laughed out loud as Mango followed her lead.

Grasping the strapping with his left hand and balancing on one foot, he swung crazily from side to side as they galloped onwards. Up the hill they went, past villas and shops and grand houses. Letty’s hair streamed out behind her, dust and grit whipped her face, but she did not care. They were going so fast she felt as if she was flying.

That was sterling, Mango said when they came to a halt and he had jumped to the ground. Letty’s legs felt strange as she landed on rough grass, but there was no time to think about that if they did not want to be caught. She smoothed down her wind-ruffled skirts, regretting the lack of bonnet and gloves that would make her look like any other girl walking on The Downs.

Should’ve thought of that before, she muttered and, gesturing to Mango to follow, strolled as casually as she could towards the site of the disaster.

At the top of the cliff stood the jagged remains of a tower. All around it lay great blocks of stone. A haze of dust rose from the ruins almost hiding the group of men who were surveying the damage. The driver of the carriage leapt from his seat and hurried over to them.

What’s happened? he cried.

I don’t know, to be sure, Mr Brunel, sir. It’s a right mystery if you asks me. A red-faced navvy scratched his head. Could be some sort of explosion, I suppose.

Trouble is, sir, there’s no sign of dynamite, or any other explosive, and it’s taken both towers. This one and the one across on the other bank, another workman added.

Letty nudged Mango in the ribs and moved closer.

It came from the very bowels of the earth, yet another man said. The devil’s own work it seems to be.

Or the eels burrowing upwards. Letty shuddered.

Nonsense, Brunel said. This is an engineering problem. Perhaps the mortar was not binding the stone together firmly enough. It’s not unknown. Whatever it is there will be a way of putting it right. In the meantime, start clearing the site. We are behind schedule as it is. He took a notebook from his pocket, a pencil from behind his ear, and began to scribble furiously.

The men touched their caps and as they moved away one of them muttered, He can think what he likes but there’s plenty don’t want this bridge built and some that’ll make sure that it’s not.

As Letty glanced towards them she noticed a shadow detach itself from the group of workmen. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to follow where it went but the figure had already disappeared.

The collapse of the bridge was proving more interesting than she had thought. There were mysteries here to be solved. The important thing now was to look as if she was doing no more than taking a pleasant walk. Lifting her skirt in as dainty and ladylike manner as she could manage, she strolled towards the edge of the cliff and looked down at the river. What she saw there made her catch her breath, Mango, she cried. "You’ve got to see this. It’s the Laura May."

A ship lay on its side. Great chunks of masonry, falling from the bridge, had snapped the masts and splintered the decks. It was low tide and so the ship rested on the mud, while her sails spread in ragged tatters on the grey-green sludgy water.

A swarm of little boats thronged the narrow channel in the middle of the river. The shore was crowded with people arguing about the best way the river could be cleared. They shouted and pointed and fists were shaken at the stump of the bridge.

Now who’s going to make a profit out of this? Letty muttered.

You don’t want to know and you don’t want to ask. A curly haired boy in a long blue coat, a red bandana around his neck, his trousers tucked into his boots, had come up beside her.

I know the rules, Jebediah Hill, Letty retorted, annoyed with him for thinking that she would need reminding. Even with your very best friends you waited until they told you their business. And if they didn’t tell? You never asked.

Then make sure you keep them, Jeb said.

Letty glared at him and he glared back, gazes locked, neither wanting to be the first to look away.

Hey! Breaking the impasse, Mango pointed upwards where a great orange and scarlet balloon floated over the horizon. It’s the balloon people. They’re back.

Janers. That’ll be good for business. Jeb winked at Letty.

Yours and mine, she smiled, glad that they were friends again. She looked down at the river where planks were being laid out on the mud. A small boy was making his way towards the Laura May.

She’ll be off in no time, Jeb said. Shame the cargo will be missing when the insurance man gets there. Letty wondered how he knew; Jeb worked for Miss Liddy but this part of the city was in The Bear’s territory. The half-man, half-creature, that some said didn’t exist, ruled here, and his gang did his bidding and kept their own secrets.

Jeb grinned broadly and gave Mango a friendly swipe on the back. See, it’s not all bad luck, he glanced up at the bridge. No matter what they say.

I’m not saying nothing, Mango replied stiffly. ’Cept it’s supper time. You said… He looked pointedly at Letty.

I did. She was reluctant to leave the scene of the mysterious explosion. There was definitely something here worth investigating but Mango had saved her from being trampled to death by runaway horses and she had promised him supper. Come on, I’ll treat you both. Letty’s hand rested on the money bag she wore under her skirt, and joy bubbled in her heart. She, Letty Parker, an independent business woman, making her own way in the world, had enough money to buy supper for her friends. Never again would any of them go hungry or in need. We can eat at The Coronation Tap. It’s the closest and it’s where the balloon people go.

***

Letty stepped into the dim interior of The Coronation Tap to be greeted by Thelma Potter the landlady.

Letty Parker, it’s a long time since you’ve been up here, she cried, her face crinkling with pleasure. I’ve heard… she leaned forward resting her elbows on the bar …that you’ve moved on from the pie business and are mixing with the gentry. Doesn’t that make you too posh for the likes of us, my lover?

Never, Letty replied. I’m not one for deserting my friends. And Mango here will die of starvation if he doesn’t get one of your pork and apple pies and a large mug of cider.

It will be with you directly. And what can I do for you, young sir? Thelma twinkled at Jeb.

The same, he ordered and so did Letty.

You promised me steak pie, Mango grumbled as they settled themselves at a table near the door where it was cooler. Letty ignored him. She didn’t say anything until their food arrived. Mango took a deep breath, picked up his knife and fork and set about the rich crusty pastry with the delicious mix of meat and fruit underneath.

Well? she asked.

It’s all right, he mumbled, his mouth full.

You made a good choice, Mistress Let— Jeb began.

Letty flashed him a warning look and instead of calling her by the name she hated he grinned and took a drink of his cider.

They ate in friendly silence and when they had cleared their plates Jeb leaned back in his chair. He looked relaxed and at ease but Letty knew that he was watching and listening, his ears pricked for any useful information. Which was why she had chosen him as one of her associates. What Jeb did not know about what was going on was not worth knowing.

Janers, she said suddenly, pleased with herself.

Pie’s good, Mango said. And I’ve still got room for more, he hinted, looking meaningfully at his empty plate.

Honestly, Letty thought. Anyone would think he had hollow legs. But she said nothing. She knew what it was like to be so hungry that your stomach hurt and you did not know where, or when, you would find your next meal.

There’s someone here looks as if he could do with seconds. Is that right, my lover? And what about you, our Letty, and your handsome young man here? Thelma winked at Jeb as she bustled up to collect the empty plates. He stood up and bowed to her in reply. Ooh, what a perfect gentleman he is. You’re such a lucky girl.

I am, but it’s got nothing to do with Master Jebediah Hill. I make my own luck in this world, Thelma. We all do.

The old woman’s face grew serious. You’re wrong there, Letty. Our fates are written in the stars, and there’s some in this city, as you well know, that can tell what those stars have in store. Mother Pountney for a start. If you cross her palm with silver she’ll lay your life out in front of you.

No, Letty said as firmly as she could, but the hairs stood up on her arms. I don’t believe that, at least— she stopped.

Thelma nodded wisely and tapped her nose with her finger. You see Letty, when it comes to it you’re not so sure.

Perhaps, Letty said reluctantly. "There are things nobody can explain. Maybe there are people who can see into the