Crassly. Look it's not doing much now but have you. Gotten if we can get you to see it in a suit for the staff pathing although our normal retail the not only here and this is another thing. I was looking forward to the stuff partly because this year I have a girl of my own to take. Off saw hopping. Why can you stop in love with a bird once you follow him for a. Why is everything going to be so complicated. He's signing them up he sounds as if you've got the whole world on your shoulders brooding all the way across the park and through the streets to or else I'll just have to let it die a natural death let it cool off gradually When shall I see you again. Well not this weekend I'm for it anyway I'll always see you at work we can fix him up any time all right. And I'm glad she does a mechanic an r.v. She waits she doesn't have to face but I know she's waiting to be cased. And why not I only has it is 2nd and then I put my hand on her chain and left to face up. But not for all the gold in the Bank of England can I put any feel in any. Money stick clear of it for a few days back even away from Ingrid herself but then she sends me a note to work easiest way is to ignore it but that's not fair I can't just brush it off line now so. At the end of it. I can't see you tonight because of started Tech again now I'm sitting for the National this time and off to work another nice besides class nice if I want to get through so I shall be able to get out more and I don't think it's fair to tie you down when I don't know what I love every night. Vic do you think I was surprised to read your letter I don't see how you going to night school next any difference to us I know you will have much free time but that doesn't matter if you really want to see me I thought something was wrong the other night and now I'm sure if it's something I've done I wish you'd tell me what. Every year about this time Whitaker's take over the town hall and invite the stuff to the stove if you mind you can take another off the Dia and if you single the boys from the bird this West and dancin and stand up super in the barn it's all free except the pigs I get there about 8 have a couple of glasses of beer in a down sitting this going up to 10 and I stand in the edge and say Well ladies and gentlemen we had a request from one of your old staff members signal with the band and I never let it be said also went through a filter across your talent to I give you ladies and gentlemen the same sensation of Josue which concerns alkaloid. If you. Ask me. How are you find my fault I was. Born and moved walls. Still. Ahead world don't come right here see Jeff worse alert he owes me a quickie bet we had there were no more with the van and the mob. On the way to the bar with me Ken Raleigh and his girlfriend She's a thin blong pays for the way lookin straight through years are you not man Oh don't go away. I'll join in the list it's not whether I like it or not what motors but is what a management things that if I got my fiddle I'd have given you a violin concerto on a bit of Debussy the bill say did. Right of violent content to tell. By the arm and pulls him away into crime. In the bar I found a place by the wall under the mirrors and in a minute too comes over with these big guns around 4 glasses the. League's top piece they don't sell it's. Too refined like old. Rice seems to me go nowhere near there though violin concerto need to say yes' she did she would be surprised if Rollie doesn't know w.c. From the chancellor of the. Basis of the law because once a year to a symphony concert and talks about the top of his voice on the bus the next morning I can stand it even if Beethoven in Blue did Dostoyevsky like the blind you with a lot of names in Fux you can very lightly tell you that Tolstoy a dog a can chips with his tea on 13th of March 888 you ask him what they called then in his fancy map. And then in Karenina a woman in the book of that name how do you know because of the blue thing. Raleigh's alarms if you blow me and if they don't we can't stand to feel Martians come over the years it's not like this or no no no you haven't because when you see me I am sore and now I am it's so blokes What a fight to show I'm given a bird in sight and all this flick out maybe I'll just talk more and I'm more. Apt to go shake hands with an old friend good. In a hot line around a. Bit later I'm standing in the ballroom doorway when I see indeed by a sound not far away. She's wearing a yellow frog with big blue flowers on the skirts and gold colored Dunson shoes. I think she looks real cane. It's a pity are full of love are the. First the box open on the clock in the tower strikes midnight party begins to fade away Jimmy comes over to me you get home Shanks pawn a show of his nights of minutes goes car outside give him Paulie the lift sit sit sit what else Vic you join in those are good roads you go our way. Palin the by Jimmy in polling he put his arm around a straightaway and she settles down to tell us. All. I said it's all about man up with a pseudonym but it's a young son and disappears I think because the 1st person is back in a couple of minutes with somebody else beer is leaving things are a lost Benz that I had to get in and I move up to give a room when really Denise and I are gives a knock. Because it seemed that we don't those on those in a. Lot of ople forget that. We move out to the car park and down the hill into the shopping center. He's quiet about. Jimmy and Pauline and necking away a lot mind you know you can think I'm alright but close together that real close. I'm getting the same feeling now I always have. It's dark and my legs as a death face is less than a foot from mine. A move as Dawn shifted about to get more comfortable I put my arm around the back of the seat. To shoulder a Pulitzer was made. When he had 3 to one time a day wanting one cannot tomorrow not tomorrow. When then to have to. Write. 2 weeks after the party is in his notice and a couple of weeks later the lone Brownlie. Long convoy or best job the women love to go easy on the b. C. To it that's the ticket and no illegitimate gob of. New illegitimate Ka-Boom don't let the bastards grind you down. And then he's away. On the strangest thing is a slump in the throat seen him go. I'm only just got a knock on Roy and I think we're mobbing good mates. I'm a bit fed up all round and I wonder if a change of job mon do me good. In the meantime as this business with Ingrid in a 3 or 4 times since the party and every time I leave I think that's the last time and one day I look at her and I get this feeling and we're off again but not in the old way. Now I want to like I want the girls in the magazines on automatic myself. In a kind of loving by Stan boss to be played freak and Rebecca can integrate other pilots who played by Kate Leighton Stephen Hurrell Conrad Nelson Seamus O'Neill Jake Norton one time from tain and Deborah McAndrew it was dramatize by Diane Griffiths and directed by Pauline Harris. In the next on the bus edition Vick and Ingrid get married but face more than their fair share of issues asked their relationship which it was that's kind of loving at this time next week. In 1968 the actor Robert Vaughn famous at the time as t.v. Spine. Was making a movie in Prague with other Hollywood stars That is until Russian tanks rolled into the city in a thriller based on real events the Man from Uncle must find a way to escape and quickly gave you over a generous job and gotten the proper papers to get us out of the country except. For Pepsi I expected a bit more in generalities from the poly and so on it's a little difficult out of my own catch why I still think the truck will be better now there are shelters better make their minds up quick for. Solo behind the Iron Curtain starring Robert Vaughn as himself on Friday morning at 1115 and again at 9 15 in the evening on b.b.c. Radio 4 extra. Soul music on b.b.c. Radio 4 extra The series about pieces with a powerful emotional impact I'm Lucy more I'm a writer and historian and I wrote a book about Jack Shepard Jack Shephard was executed in 724 and an ambitious young poet John k. Began writing a version of his life which became known as the bags opera and came out in 1728 gay based his central character the gentleman highwaymen met Heath on Jack Sheppard who is known as Gentleman Jack he was unusual because he had these thrilling escapes from prison for dramatic prison escapes which captured the imagination of the London public and he became a superstar in early Ga Nandan He was also special because he refused to turn any of his accomplices in and he never used violence in any of his crimes and he was also loved by the public because he was a great ladies' man he had a lot of girlfriends and he's one of the sources for the the name. The lads he was determined to sort of live life to the full he escaped from you gate having been visited by the King's painter the turnkeys which Arjen a shilling ago just to see him in his cell he managed to escape dramatically through you know 6 locked doors and breaking through a chimney gets out doesn't hide out as you might expect instead steals himself a dashing new suit of clothes and a sword and a pair of diamond studs picks up his 2 latest girlfriends and goes at carousing in Covent Garden where he's arrested that night roaring drunk with his girlfriend model frisky he's taken back to new gate and he's hanged when cut violent battle Brecht produced that version of the bag as Opera 200 years afterwards they called it the opera and they based it in Victorian London a much more menacing atmosphere than George in London and they gave McKeith a different characters so he's no longer the lovable rogue of the gay fashion but he's become a major arrests threatening violent criminal and this I think reflects the much more menacing atmosphere of 1928 Germany where fast came out the end of the Weimar Republic the rise of Naziism he's reflecting a different kind of social reality. I'm Steven Hinton a music historian and I teach at Stanford University in California. The song Mack the Knife was a last minute addition to the whole production was absolute chaos nobody thought this piece would succeed they were rehearsing into the wee hours of the morning but they wanted to create a song at the last minute to describe the figure of Mack he feels fresh composed the words to. What was called The more he taught for Mackie mess and vile set the music and so the song which is a kind of street ballad describes the various things that he gets up to with murder and extortion I'm Steve Parker I'm the Henry Simon professor of German University of Manchester and I've written a you literary biography of battle waged but himself recorded a version in 1920 now it's one of only 2 sound recordings that we've got of Brecht's singing these own songs and the opening with the barrel organ just sent a shiver through May I must say. Soul music every Friday at $630.00 on the a.b.c. Radio 4 extra. This is b.b.c. . It's time for a short story now on Radio 4 extra and until the cows come home by Sheena McI Gannett remembers an explosive Guy Fawkes night from her childhood in which a cake conflict and a secret establishment all plant pot it is quoted to 5 on the 5th of November and as the year is $954.00 when chocolate matchmakers have yet to be invented Ruby Smithers is arranging a little pile of pink headed swung Vestas on top of a bonfire cake dreamy with chocolate butter cream she sits on the rim of the newly installed bath to admire her masterpiece behind her Assadi a water heater dangles a silver arm that can swivel over the stone sink under the window. And when Erik Ruby's husband has his wash in the morning with much honking and splashing droplets of water and soap bubbles sizzle in the breakfast bacon and eggs frying on the cooker Ruby's hair rolled into a golden sausage on her wide forrard folds to her shoulders in a perfect pageboy that suggests an unfulfilled desire to be a g.i. Bride the straps of her petticoat have slipped from the sleeveless low cut blouse on to her flowery are all restricting her creamy plump arms her skirt is tight her bare feet arched in high heel shoes light from the windows deep in the wall of the flint cottage shines feebly over Brussels sprouts tumble down rabbit hutches and a perilously built bonfire. God I go I come in they are I sticking up the lamp post in there let him die the voices of children come faintly from the garden there are no lamp posts in the village but the kids have got their big guy slumped waiting to burn on the Smithers bonfire. Umask lunges at the window pane and a tongue pokes through its mouth Ruby suspect the time belongs to her daughter Garnett and idolised only child at 9 years old she is a smaller edition of her mother. She ought to be wearing her gumboot gone it is usually found with her nose in a book but she likes 100 craft sets in boxes too and she embroidered the crinoline ladies' watering hollyhocks on the chair backs in the front room all by herself she's going to be an air hostess when she grows up. Ruby listening out for the sound of Eric's motorbike carries her cake through to the middle room where Eric's mother Mabel is sitting by the range smoking her millionth Woodbine and listening to the wireless with Trixie the dog snoring across her feet stained by hopes for a good and seemed with her after a lifetime's work in the field her back bent the old lady seldom stirs further than the outside of a tree and is known to all the children in the lane as gannets nanny indorse to would pigeons wrapped in a daily work or a lying on the table none indoors likes a nice pigeon pie and is partial to a bit of rock when she can get it which would be never if Ruby had her way was that supposed to be when it's so tired. Mabel says as Ruby puts down the cake 15 cake for the kiddies. Are going to pluck them orrible things Ruby hate the way they're broken necks flop and they're beady eyes and feet you can't stick dead things gone it had a club ones for finding dead things morbid Ruby had put her foot down who ever heard of puttin live matches on a cake says Mabel it'll old gal up in flames you go up in flames there not you smoke come to think of it if we was in India you're going to in flames years ago when your old man copped it put you want to set a on top of the funeral pyre that's what I do with witches out there it will be a Without your self one die Erik's light we ought to be outlawed an app is a fag Mable nomics a cup or table by biting who takes the kettle from the range where Mable keeps it simmering and puts water into the metal teapot. She would like to have the black Range ripped out and replaced by a stove that burns anthracite with Mica window pane as Garnett got to. Ask nanny indoors playing out doors with little Johnny and the others Ruby cleans for James mother when Jane's mother was taken into hospital her husband was abroad on business so Ruby has taken Jane in for a week or so she is mistaken in her belief that Jane is outside waiting eagerly for Eric and the fireworks Jane is up stairs lying on the mattress that has been wedged between gannets bed and the door writing a letter Dan Mommy I hope you are well this house is a tree that is what man in Dorset said last night Jane didn't know what Per good tree was but she agreed with none indoors for once the paper over which her pencil hovers is marked top secret in red Uncle Eric he told her to call him that brings stacks of it home from work for Garnett to write and draw on and top secret pages are often found blowing about the village or pasted to Hades Eric's mother's like many local people works at Fort Hood a government defense establishment for research into weapons hidden in the hills behind security wall some miles away. Jane is stuck she wants to pour out her heart to have mother but there is a heavy cloud in her chest which will not burst she wishes her daddy worked the fort and was coming home she pictures the fort as a larger version of the toy owned by Danny next door. In 1044 the south just went to war that no guns they used their bombs in 1944 that's what Garnett shouts when Dani won't let them touch his toy soldiers Jane is going to tell money that Garnett Smithers is the rudest girl in the whole world but my joke majesté my jewel is your underwear gone it devilish in a Red Mask jumps onto the mattress and snatches the letter damn Mummy I hope you're well muffled mocking laughter comes through the masks mouth then there's the sound of Eric's motorbike and gone it flings the paper at Jane having a bloody letter Jane a shocked I'm reporting you for swearing gone it's me this that is in the Bible that is in the book if you don't believe make out there are no taunts the Red Mask and Gannett hops out and hurtles dance to us Jane folds the crumpled letter and hides it in her autograph book Garnet has spoiled that 2 albums I've seen of red and blue and grain but in Africa where I've been all the rest of the rhyme was so rude that Jane had to cross it out gone it's French knitting a cotton real with 4 nails hammered into the top and a long multi colored snake coiling through the hole in the middle is lying on her bed as Jane slips the wall off the nails and gives the knitting which was to have been a lead for Trixie a savage jerk she catches the eye of Mildred gone its best Dole who is the size of a full grown baby tell tale take it says Jane to Mildred in gone its voice your tongues will be split and all the little puppy dogs live a little bit she hates that rhyme the cruel picture it brings always makes her want to cry. Jane puts on her yellow mask and goes slowly downstairs avoiding Trix's eye she says to Nanny indoors when I was up stairs just not a big door flew in the window and pull on it's French knitting off speak up can't a with that thing on your face Jane notices that Nan indoors is unwrapping a plain jane toffee which you gumboots on Jane says Ruby carrying a bag of potatoes out to the 5 Jane hasn't brought them and she is lifted into a cobwebbed Pad belonging to Nanny indoors uncle Eric's face is pale and sweaty glazed with the drizzle it is started an arc of paraffin leaps from the can in his hand and slushies over the bonfire watch a top ones he says to Jane but she stomps to the bottom of the garden by the chicken run and leans against the wall holding her sparkler it all means length with its stars fizzling into the mud the eye holes of her Musk don't fit and she can hardly see the dark cuddle of grown ups and flickering children she hates cocoa they have drinking chocolate at home and she hates this flint wall with bits of broken bottles cemented along its top which reminds her of Gannett chanting pan shillings and pence the cow jumped over the fence it pricked is rude word on a pace a glass plant shillings and pence book. And anyway cause a lady's not he's She wants to rescue the guy she can feel his terror she tears off her mask and stomps on it the bonfire goes up with a whoosh and shrieks and crack crack gun shots of jumping jacks and 2 rockets zoom into the sky. And full in awe of green and purple stars. Then a massive deafening blast and a blazing flash from the hills lights up the garden screaming people flinging themselves to the ground extinguishing the bonfire every bonfire as the fault explodes in a gigantic pirate technical display like all of our acts in all the world going off setting the sky on fire nanny indoors rushes out snatching up a baby dragging Gannett to the Anderson shelter that was still down the garden and Eric blinded is kicking his motorbike into action and Ruby has jumped up behind him does not face ecstatic as if something worth seeing has happened at last and they roll off to the scene of the disaster. It is the 5th of November 993 I bet you all thought that was written by Jane thinly disguised autobiography but it's me rude Gannett taking the limpy and view Jane wherever you are I hope you're well I never did become an air hostess I'm a poet. Don't I know it I went back to our old house the other day there was a Volvo parked outside and a plug on the wall that said ancient light made me think of the meat we used to get from Mr Smallbone fro tricksy and a sign on the gate saying organic vegetables and free range eggs I still don't know what really happened the night the fort went up it was all very hush hush afterwards but I've been thinking a lot lately about lives lived out in boundaries of fields and Flint and chicken wire that were illuminated briefly by peacetime catastrophe my dad who took the Daily Worker did he want to change the world. And Nanny indorse who thought the war had broken out again I am my mother's voice gone it will be a telecast come out. And see her picking her way through the cap at down a lane in her high heels and then the fallout from the explosion drifts over me sepia colored clinging bringing tears to the eyes but I'm not really one for all this who is huge in astrology you get nowadays I think quite restrained here sprinkling the brandnames lightly like Mum with the chocolate furniture when she made that green sponge mix bonfire cake but Trixie at matches and all in the confusion and I won't even mention how sometimes when my answer phone beeps I half expect a voice to announce this is the b.b.c. Home service here is the news till the cows come home by Sheena Makai was read by Diana bishop and the producer was done conventual as a short story by gave him of her son next week in which 2 friends face a life or death decision in a tale that exposes the brutality and futility of war that's at this time next week . B.b.c. Radio 4 as chronicle of Russian leaders continue from the north to the present day beginning with Nikolai the 2nd. Majesty Well these are. A 1000 dead. Uncounted wounded we simply don't know as yet terrible day so sad. Which is why you must act as if we can put this down to an inexperienced police chief over active Cossacks but the general situation general situation is that mobs rule the streets of our cities citizens who have if I may say so a legitimate concern say that to me feet the peasants cannot sell or rent out their lands the industrial workers are not allowed to form unions or strike even the middle classes your most solid supporters arrested they are better educated than they were and they want they demand if you push me to listen any further you will not use their earnestly request some form of representative assembly Duma the voice of the people come now it sounds like you're afraid of a revolution the revolution has already started Majesty. You know what the country needs a working parliament of victory. The great victory. That fleet manager prove Ginger Patton or don't tell me you've forgotten where. There appears to be a stalemate on the Manchuria crash ships will break it to shore smash their fleet and bring them to the table pleading for any terms we care to offer and the Russian folk will be sharing in the streets not rioting. Nikolai the 2nd 300 s. By Mike Walker available now on the b.b.c. Radio website. The digital station on radio t.v. And b.b.c. Radio 4 extra. Now Simon Russell Beale continues reading the book of dust part one lap band survived by Philip Pullman in which as predicted the rain has now begun in earnest but Malcolm posted is under Ted. Came. When Malcolm went into the Priory kitchen that evening Alice was there making bread Hello Malcolm said Sister familiar the old lady was sitting holding Lyra but she didn't look well Alice is helping me for a while oh right Sister finale I handed the baby to him but as she did so the old man's eyes closed and she slumped forward I'll get help welcome said in the corridor a slender figure was coming towards him sister Catarina says of an Alice fainted Oh goodness the young nun hurried away when mother went back into the kitchen Aliza put a cushion behind Sister Phyllis head but her breathing was difficult pneumonia Alice said my dramas like that. Did she die well she didn't the end but not of that Blimey she needs changing she was looking at Lyra can you do baby things I've got 2 little sisters course I can and she took Lyra from him sister Benedict and sister Catarina and to the kitchen try to get the doctor thank you Malcolm But Sister vanilla just needs rest Alice give Lyra to Sister Catherine and now Malcolm off you go home good night next day being Sunday Malcolm had time in the morning to stock the canoe with emergency supplies just in case as asked to keep saying he had his tool box but also an old biscuit tin from the kitchen with various bits in it when it finished Alice had arrived for work Malcolm told her about finding his quarter Dr elfs and what he said. You didn't say he said he was course not Malcolm said at the other none last night just to Catarina she's the one who left that shutter open and she done it for him how does she know him. Said Alice come to the Priory kitchen at 8 o'clock 8 o'clock was competent as Markham knew all the sisters would be in the oratory with the excuse of homework Malcolm and gone up stairs by half past 7 and then tiptoed down again. In the rain that set him with a fury he put on his boots an oilskin raincoat and went and put the coals of tarpaulin on the belts of ours just in case from then leaning into the wind with asked attempting his coat he fought his way across the bridge the water was so high he felt genuinely afraid and hastened to the shelter of the Priory walls he tapped on the kitchen window and Alice opened the door you know the potting shed she said quietly that's one at the end there's a light in it go into the one next door and look through but what just go I can't stand here I'm looking after Lyra. Malcolm and asked to set off towards the kitchen garden as they came to the potting sheds Aster said. As a light Malcolm opened the door of the next shed and tiptoed in through the darkness the tin roof resonated under the rain but he could hear 2 voices and then that hideous cackling laugh. Was their only feet away he peered through a crack in the war and Sorbonne v. And sister Catarina and a clumsy embrace she was leaning back against a bench band legs gleaming in the light. But then from the direction of the Priory there came a deep rumbling crash. Lyra Markham thought he shot out of the door and raced for the Priory ignoring the water rushing over the path the man shot behind and the crazed from the hyena demon. Aster raced Greyhound formed beside him as they reached the Priory building the water became deeper and Malcolm realized that the gatehouse light had gone out because the gate house was just a heap of rubble and stones. The river must have burst its banks. Alice Malcolm yelled he rushed to the kitchen water was surging under the door and when he forced it open the kitchen was already flooded and there was Lyra's cradle floating on the water and Alice clinging to the kitchen table. Markham snacks Lyra and wrapped her in her blanket Aster took care of pan and then bunk v. Burst in and say Malcolm leaps towards him Malcolm held Lyra close and then bond v. Fell forward with a great splashes Alice smashed his head from behind with a chair how quick she cried as blood streaming head emerged above the water. Malcolm lunged for the door clasping Lyra tight. Give me that the man roared and then slipped down again and Malcolm was out of the door and running with Alice maulvi was shouting behind them. They forced their way through the flood to the bridge a light from the child was still glowing and so that one side of the bridge was gone they ran towards the front door but it was locked of course he thought they think I'm up stairs. He yelled but the roar of the water was too loud and Baldy might be some way close. Come on he said and Alice followed as he splashed through the garden to the lean to shelter inside sat snugly under her coal silk canopy get in he pulled back the canopy of Alice to see where to sit he shoved Lyra at her and then got in himself but the river was rushing up to meet them and suddenly sped like a dart into the wild waste of water Markham could see almost nothing the force of the flood was sweeping them along as to appear to head out formed then suddenly trees go left she shrieked he managed to seize a heavy branch and held the canoe against it while he groped for the painter he flung it over the branch and then fix the canoe then he pulled the canopy back over the last hoop at least he was out of the rain there's a tent under your seat Alice pass it up there's biscuits in it it was perfectly dry and he'd forgotten he put his Swiss Army knife in there and a little and Barrick torch he switched it on and it stopped Lyra from crying Give her a biscuit to suck he said. Malcolm saw something out of the corner of his eye. Patch of white on the floor and then it became the shimmering spot of light again shook his head this wasn't a good time for spangled rings but it wouldn't go it just grew larger like the For an expanded to fill the entire circumference of his vision. And then it faded away but the patch of white was still on the floor it was a card with printing on it his eyes were still too disturbed to read it and he put it in his pocket Lyra had enjoyed her biscuit and was now asleep you've got to change as soon Alice said as soon as it's morning we can get what she needs Alice settled down with Lyra. God as to whispered after a moment. He fished it out of his pocket and read Lord Asriel October house Chelsea London on the back was written with many thanks if you need help at any time just ask as real I did came to him asked me what it was at once and whispered Don't tell Alice the idea was to set off down the Thames and find God as real and take his child to him Malcolm felt the idea Warming him through and through he took the car back in his pocket and switched off the top. After a little while Malcolm heard Alice's demon bend whispering to her then she said did you go to the potting shed Malcolm blushed yet he was there was his to Catarina past that I wanted to kill him some v when I had him why could he be nice to me he wouldn't understand but do you think he could be Lyra's father now I've met Lyra's father he told about Lord Asriel visiting his daughter in the Priory but if we can't get back what are we going to do with her probably see if we can get to Jordan college their scholastic century. Markham explained as well as he could but little by little his head slipped lower and Alice said nothing and Lyra slept on and soon all 3 of them were asleep. When Malcolm woke he was bitterly cold but at least the drumming of the rain had stopped he lifted the canopy and peered out. To see was a wild waste of gray water surging across would have been portmanteau. The light woke Alice who was holding the sleeping Lyra. Soaking wet and stinking Well we'd better start then. He untied the canoe. Immediately it was caught by the current and carried into the swirling water the idea of going all the way to London seemed like a fantasy of the night Jordan college was the priority now. The great mass of water had forced its way through the Oxford streets and now Malcolm analysis could see other people struggling with the flood some in Italy boats some clinging to trees. Malcolm tried to force the canoe towards the center of the city but it was hopeless the flood bore them on relentlessly. The Thames was no longer a river but a swollen sea of great turbulence sweeping from right to left and threatening to overwhelm the bells of Arjen Tiley. But Malcolm dug the paddle in a managed to keep on a course for the level land further down. There entered a district of suburban streets and small shops away from the main flood I'm going to make that green cross he shouted It's a pharmacy trying to reach the sign they weren't moving quickly and Alice managed to grab the sign and hold the boat still against the building while Malcolm tied it up they were next to an up stairs window and he forced it open then he stood up carefully and climbed inside the building lyre was squirming and yelling but Alice handed to up to him. Like a farmyard Lyra Well we'll clean him up so you way he said Alice now in the room beside him as a laugh the pharmacy was a treasure house in the storeroom was everything needed for Baby Care nappies dried milk bottled water and even biscuits there was a little kitchen with a sink a stove not working a kettle and pans there were logs and kindling in the fireplace so Malcolm lit a fire assoon as it was blazing he filled the kettle and propped it on the logs Lyra had been yelling but once she was clean and being fed she was happy. Staus he whispered to Esther we need take as much as we can why demanded Alice in case it takes a while to get back. To Tim merrily you never meant to stop it Jordan did you course I did she kicked him and then went and sat down I haven't finished feeding her but another log on the fire we can't stay here Alice Bovey will find us shut up but there's not as real Lyra's father I told you so I thought we could take it to him because he was the best person to protect are. Going to find him then Lord Asriel Markham showed her the card this is his address Well you better start by putting more blankets in the boat he was bloody freezing last night and nappies and that's all spam and all and biscuits oh go on then as Malcolm was loading the canoe a dinghy approached there were 2 men in it neither of them bound v Hey one of them shouted What are you doing we've got a baby to look after we needed food Alice appeared beside him holding Lyra whose baby said the man is my sister said Alice we got separated from my parents what's your name Richard Parsons said Malcolm This is my sister Sandra the baby Zelie well make your way to the town hall to the man there's an emergency station there they'll help you thanks so Mark I'm the man nodded and rode away sad to Dallas with deep contempt Can you think of nothing better than that no 10 minutes later they were moving again that was low in the water but she moved swiftly and responded to the paddle Well now who thought it was still alive. And they were moving south. George Pappa Dmitri used to the window of his rooms in Jordan college looking out of the waste of waters. Lord Nugent was with him Oakley Street but heard that Lyra was in danger the 2 men were awaiting the arrival of Bud Sless into one of the streets agents as Pappa Dimitri peered down at the flooded coach out he saw Hannah Relf being dropped off in a boat I've got something important to tell you she said when he opened the door Dr Relf this is valiant said Nugent as she entered the room come and sit by the fire thank you I came because something's happened at the Priory last night my neighbor who owns the boat took me to see if Markham was all right the start with part of the Priory have fallen down so the bridge 7 of the numbers are missing and the child well she's missing too but here's the point Malcolm has disappeared as well and service his canoe and the girl Alice who helps out that's the only thing that's given Malcolm's parents any hope they think he might of what had happened to be true rescued the child in a word yes but there's another thing Malcolm told me about a man called. Malcolm had seen him trying to break into the Priory Alice had spoken to him and apparently he'd claim to be the baby's father you know him we've been interested in him for some time Nugent he had a group in Paris researching the restock of field but then he was prosecuted for an offense involving young girls I think Marie Sokoto testified against him she certainly knows him said Hannah she told him of the visit to her house. As she spoke there was a knock at the door and Pappa Dimitri opened it but you made it come in as lesson just took off his coat and sat down Nugent explained what they've been discussing now what have you got for us he said plenty 1st the child liar We've heard rumors of some prophecy concerning her so I went north to find out more the witches of the n.r.o. Region had heard voices in the Iraq war that said that the child was destined to bring an end to destiny they didn't know what it meant anyway the Magisterium heard about this prophecy and set about finding the child that's when you began to look for somewhere to hide her that's right so I knew to go on. I heard he'd come north so I asked around he'd been in prison and was newly released but no one would employ him he was always a difficult guy demanding obsessive and that demon was just topless and 3 legs well Corum than Texan might know something about that. Way back into favor 7 to continued he thought if he could get hold of the child he'd be able to bargain with the Magisterium So that's what he's after and why where is he now this is some I said Pappa Dmitri but it's likely he's pursuing the boy and girl who have Lyra they have a canoe but where would they go wow Malcolm asked me about sanctuary and I told him Jordan still had it. Bud's lesson just suddenly sat forward this makes sense of something else I was asking about a child and said Girl and there was one which Queen told of us or a she told me she'd heard a prophecy about a boy who had to carry a treasure to a place of safety could this boy of yours be doing that yes said Hannah but he hasn't brought her here set up to be true where else would he go. As trail Anna said he made a great impression of Malcolm he would try to take Laurie to him. As your last night in Chelsea is just about sort of north again unless the flood hosts him up said Nugent standing up we must find Lyra before Bob he does but how to travel here I've hired a fast engine about George you know the Gyptian get a couple of boats for yourself and me the Magisterium and the c.c.d. Will be looking for Lyra to Hannah go home use the meter to search for them I'll keep in touch. Alice hadn't spoken since they left the pharmacy 2 hours before liar was lying at her feet wrapped up in a blanket. But then she pointed over Malcolm shoulder looking some distance back he turned and saw just visible through the wet gray am a man in a dinghy running hard towards them. It might be it is Alice said that demons in the front go faster. Malcolm dug the paddle in and urged the canoe forward the change in motion woke Lyra and she began to cry that have to feed her before long and that meant building a fire or span added for that finding somewhere to hide. Markham looked around they were in a valley and to the right was a large house on the Hill a sloping lawn rose directly out of the floodwater and Malcolm headed in that direction and brought the canoe to rest then he jumped out and hauled it across the grass. There was a shout from the house a man came out and gestured to them to go away go and tell him we need to feed the baby Alice got out of the canoe and made her way up to the house Lyra wasn't happy Malcolm took her out of the canoe and cuddled her he says we can't stay long Alice said coming back take up the house and I'll hide the canoe he said handing over the child once he had the canoe concealed he made his way up to the house standing in the open doorway was a man Assaf faced individual in rough clothes your age day long he said No Malcolm agreed the man was a little drunk Malcolm knew how to deal with drunks love a house is yours. It's a castle Malcolm went on you could defend disease if you were attacked whose good it was Hackett Well you never know someone like that man over there in the day he said because now I can see the boat moving steadily towards them who is he anyway his name's bone. He wants our baby sister Bustard you are his son to sleep and to me thank you said Malcolm and he slipped inside the man came into and took a shotgun from a cabinet then went on steadily outside Malcolm found Alice in the kitchen there was a fire in an Iron Range and Lyra was freshly changed and being fed what he say Alice demanded he's got a shotgun and he's going to defend the house it was Paul vi in the boat when it. Was going on. Malcolm went out and tiptoed along the corridor to the main hall it was empty there were no voices certainly no gunshots he moved towards the window but as formed got there 1st a Markham felt a horrible shock as she saw something outside the man from the house was lying face down in the water besides. There was no sign of Bali or the gun. He ran back to the kitchen Alice had just finished feeding Lyra. Killed a man and take his gun I can't see him anywhere he was looking around almost panting with fear on the side of the stove was a kitchen knife he grabbed it and put it in his belt and made for the door come on . In the very last grey of the day they stumbled across the grass Alice carrying Lyra. Boat was still tied up but the body of the other man had floated away Malcolm ran to the dinghy and pulled out the stick It was tied to but he stopped there was a rucksack in it without thinking he reached in and swung it up it was heavy and then pushed the boat away. He ran back towards Alice she put Lyra down on the grass and was tugging lapels of art out of the Bush's So Malcolm dropped the rucksack in the canoe and joined in. But then they heard behind them the. Of the hyena demon and turned to see but sauntering towards them shot gun under his arm the demon limping beside him. Markham picked up Lyra Well you might as well give it to me Now we said there's no escape Malcolm's heart was hammering he held Lyra tight in his left arm and felt behind him with his right hand trying to feel the knife but his hand was trembling so much that he was afraid to drop it and if he really intend to stab the man why do you want to she's my daughter and she's not Alice patted him. You and I could have been such friends perhaps even more than friends Malcolm got the knife out of his belt Alice could see what he was doing he held Lyra away from his chest and held out his arm to take her the 2nd he was close enough Malcolm brought his right hand round and stabbed the knife into Resty the man roared with pain and staggered sideways dropping the gun his demon howled and lurched forward Malcolm put Lyra down and then there was an explosion his head when he turned to see Alice holding the gun he was groaning on the grass clutching his bleeding thigh but his demon lay screaming how one foreleg smashed beyond repair take Lyra Malcolm said to Alice and he dragged the canoe to the water's edge Alice threw the gun into the trees and snatched up and ran to the canoe she got in and he pushed off from the grass and the sweet natured canoe carried them away and on to the breast of the flood. And after 10 minutes I reckon he lost and now he paddled on the only sound was a tiny insect bands that came and went. Keep the mosquitoes away from Lyra he said . Ain't a mosquito She nodded at something behind her. He turned there was an engine launch some way back it had a search light on the bow. I haven't seen this yet but we'll have to hide it. There was a wood to the left of the dark trees. Markham drove up on the soft soil and Alice stepped out with Lyra he pushed the canoe into the trees just as the searchlight appeared. And suddenly a man stepped out. Get your boat further in Malcolm Quick bring the baby over here that c.c.d. Down there come on Mr Wright Yes Aria while Alice ran with Lyra up to the shelter of the trees Malcolm and George Boatwright hid the canoe the launch with its searchlight moved closer Malcolm held his breath but then the light swung away and the boat moved on Malcolm was shaking in every limb when you last eat or sleep I come along and have it is to Markham picked up the rucksack and then followed but right through the trees where Alice was waiting this way so but right after some minutes walking they came to a clearing and saw the entrance to a cave Mr Brett Wright lifted a sheet of canvas and held it open for Malcolm And Alice in the light of a lantern they saw people sitting on wooden boxes eating from tin plates beside a large fire was a woman Malcolm recognized as Mrs but right Alice passed she said I know you and now come from the trowel God bless me what's going on George survivors from the flood they are the baby Ira said Malcolm Well she needs a clean nappy there's hot water over that or get a change and then you can have a bite to eat. Malcolm followed Dallas to a corner of the cave she removed liar's nappy and handed it to Malcolm he looked around wondering what they did was rubbish and sorra boy about his own age looking at him. That the boys and what's your name Malcolm. Andrew is the baby your sister. Would just look after him the boy showed Malcolm a pit full of rubbish and then they walked back to the cave. Was feeding Lyra did. Try to came with 2 plates of hot stew and potatoes all finished. He said you ate. Never felt so hungry and tired he finished the stew and almost immediately felt his eyes closing Mr Boatwright brought them blankets and canvas bags filled with hay. Them side by side and then putting Lyda between them down next to Alice and fell at once.

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