The Adventurers and the Continental Chase: The Adventurers, #4

By Jemma Hatt

A kidnap in Paris… a chase across Europe… one epic road trip!

 

The Adventurers are on holiday when Maye warns of suspicious activity in Paris. Join them as they race from the French Alps to the ancient ruins of Rome on the trail of a dangerous gang with a legacy of secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elmside Publishing
• Release date: Nov 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393605744

Jemma Hatt

Jemma Hatt is an award-winning children's author whose books include 'The Adventurers Series'. Growing up near Sevenoaks in South East England, Jemma developed with a passion for reading and writing short stories, which ultimately led to a degree in English Literature from the University of Exeter. The Adventurers Series was inspired by many family holidays to Devon and Cornwall as well as the mysteries of Ancient Egypt. After having lived and worked in London, New York and Delaware, Jemma is living in Kent, UK and working on the next Adventurers stories as well as other writing projects.

Book preview

1

Exciting Plans

Barney could not understand the human fascination with those boring shiny rectangles. Daisy had always been obsessed with hers and now Lara had one too. It was a beautiful sunny day and here they both were, staring into their beeping contraptions instead of playing with him. What could be more interesting than throwing a ball in the garden? He decided to try to get their attention again.

In a minute, Barney. Lara absently put her hand out to stroke the Border collie’s head whilst keeping her eyes fixed on her mobile phone. She missed and patted the air instead.

Barney crossed the living room and nudged Daisy lightly in the ribs with his head.

Not now, Barney boy! Daisy tapped her phone furiously. I’m busy!

Barney left to find Rufus, who luckily did not yet have a phone of his own. He was lying on his back outside on the grass under the warm April sun.

Hey, Barney, said the boy, rolling over to ruffle Barney’s fur. Where’s your ball?

Barney’s ears pricked up. Finally, someone was talking his language. He sped off to retrieve a hidden tennis ball from his secret stash behind the garden shed. Mrs Jacobs had developed an annoying habit lately of confiscating wet, dirty tennis balls from him so he could not bring them in the house, so he now hid them once he had finished playing with them.

Rufus began hurling the ball across the lawn for Barney to catch. Logan strode across the grass and plonked himself down next to Rufus.

I’m bored, Logan complained, running a hand through his dark hair before propping himself up with his elbow.

What’s everyone doing inside? asked Rufus.

Lara and Daisy are glued to their phones, Sarah’s working in her office.

When does your TV show start? asked Rufus. A few months ago, before Christmas, Logan’s partner, Dee, had managed to secure a television production deal for a new adventuring show. Logan’s previous series, Logan’s Jungle Trek, had been cancelled after a series of on-air mishaps.

Logan sighed. Not for ages yet, sometime in the summer. Loads of stuff has to be sorted out first.

They heard the phone ring from inside the house.

Go and get that, would you? asked Logan. It might be Dee; she’s been calling the house phone lately.

Rufus raised an eyebrow. What’s wrong with your phone? More billing issues?

No! Oh, answer the phone, will you?

I’m playing with Barney! And Lara’s closer to it.

Neither moved and twenty minutes later, Mrs Jacobs opened the back door. Barney crept away to hide his tennis ball behind the shed.

Penny just called… Tom’s mum… where’s Lara? Mrs Jacobs looked into the living room and knocked on the window, pointing for Lara to come outside. The two girls joined everyone else outside on the grass.

Put your phone away, Lara! Mrs Jacobs snapped. Honestly, I wouldn’t have bought you it for your birthday if I’d known you’d become so addicted!

Lara shoved the phone in her pocket and rubbed Barney’s stomach as he rolled around next to her.

I know you’ve all been quite bored these Easter holidays… and it’s only the second day—

Not me, Daisy piped up, waving her mobile phone. "It’s all been kicking off. Susie fell out with Lola ’cos Lola’s been hanging out more with Heidi and then Ava had this big bust-up with—"

Alright, thank you, Daisy, said Mrs Jacobs.

Rufus stared at Daisy, then back at his aunt. "Is this meant to be a family meeting?"

Don’t be rude, Rufus. Mrs Jacobs continued. As I was saying, Penny just phoned and…

Rufus and Lara straightened up, wondering if there was news about their friend Tom, Mrs Burt’s son.

…It turns out Uncle Herb has won a holiday…

There were gasps.

"Uncle Herb? said Rufus. How? He never goes anywhere!"

Are you sure it’s not a scam? asked Lara. He’s not always very… er, sensible.

Well, I must admit I did think the same at first, but Penny saw the letter and phoned to check the details. Herb called into one of those TV morning shows, he wanted to argue with some gardening expert they had on-air and didn’t realise the number he’d phoned was a prize draw entry for a holiday.

Oh, man! Some people have all the luck. I’ve entered those contests hundreds of times, the ones that charge two pounds a minute… Logan paused as Mrs Jacobs frowned. "I mean, I don’t use your landline to do it… not all of the time…"

When’s Herb going on this holiday? asked Lara as Logan shuffled uncomfortably. And where’s he going?

The holiday’s in Portugal for two weeks. Herb’s not going… he doesn’t like leaving the castle. So, he put it in a drawer and forgot about it.

Rufus stared open-mouthed at his aunt. "What? Herb just shoved it in a drawer and didn’t think to give it to us?"

Daisy shook her head. "That is so Uncle Herb!"

Rufus stared at her. You’ve never met him!

Well… I’ve heard about him.

How big’s this place, Sarah? asked Logan. Can we go instead?

The place is huge, it’s an eight-bedroom villa with a pool. But the booking starts tomorrow! And only two flights came with the package. Tom’s dad wants to stay at the castle, but his mum was thinking of going with Tom and asked if we wanted to go as well.

"Yessssss! Logan jumped up and pumped his fists. I’ll call Dee, she’s going to be psyched!"

How would we get there though? asked Mrs Jacobs. The flights will be so expensive at such short notice.

Yeah, they are… Daisy scrolled her phone. I’ve just been looking for us.

Us? said Rufus. "Who said you’re coming?"

Daisy stuck her tongue out at Rufus.

Lara stroked her dog’s head. We can’t get flights anyway; they won’t let Barney on. Unless we can use Dee’s plane? The one her company owns?

It’s being serviced at the moment, Dee mentioned it last night… I know! Logan clapped Lara on the back. I’ll hire a minibus!

"Yes, Logan! cried Rufus. We’ll drive to Portugal!"

How long will that take? Mrs Jacobs’ brows furrowed in uncertainty.

Twenty-two hours and thirty-eight minutes, said Daisy, looking at her maps app. With medium traffic conditions.

That’s rather a long time… Mrs Jacobs pictured being stuck in a vehicle with her energetic nephew and a madcap Border collie for almost a whole day nonstop. Perhaps it’s a silly idea.

Which airport is the flight from, Mum? asked Lara.

Gatwick.

So, Tom and Mrs Burt are driving this way from Cornwall? An idea formed in Lara’s mind. Why doesn’t Mrs Burt drop Tom off here, then you can take his space on the flight and the rest of us can drive to Portugal!

Oh, I couldn’t possibly! Take a business class flight while the rest of you cram into a vehicle? It’s not right.

You’ve been working so hard, Auntie Sarah, said Rufus, anxious that his holiday was slipping away from him. So has Mrs B! You both deserve this. You can have a nice quick flight and a day or two by yourselves before we arrive. You could go to a spa!

Mrs Jacobs paused, her hand on her chin. It does sound tempting… but I’m not sure I can trust you lot with Logan again.

Sarah! Logan stretched his hands out. When have I ever let you down? Okay, okay. Don’t answer that… look, we’ll hire a minibus and drive down there. What trouble can we get into on the road?

Mrs Jacobs glared at him.

Don’t answer that either. We’ll just stop for food and a night’s kip somewhere. Totally safe.

It’ll be fine, Mum, said Lara. This way we all get to go. And Rufus is right, you do deserve a break.

"Yeah, you have been looking quite tired lately," said Daisy. Lara nudged her.

Have I? Mrs Jacobs rubbed her eyes. I suppose I have been working a lot… all my trips for the past two years have been for work. She stared up at the faces around her. Alright, alright. I’ll call Penny back and see what she says. Maybe it’s possible to change the flight over, if Tom doesn’t mind.

Of course he won’t! Rufus got up and hopped around the garden in joy, with Barney bounding along beside him.

Mrs Jacobs got up to walk to the back door.

What about me? yelled Daisy.

What about you? said Rufus. "It’s a family holiday!"

Daisy folded her arms. No, it’s not! Tom and Mrs Burt aren’t your family.

We’ll have space for Daisy in the minibus, said Lara, turning back to her mother. Please can Daisy come?

Oh… why not. But you’ll have to ask your parents, of course, Daisy.

Mrs Jacobs