Alfie Bloom and the Talisman Thief Read Online Free PDF

anyone and they’d know that.”
    Alfie felt grateful to Robin as Madeleine sat down, finally silent. He knew charging after Ashford could only end in disaster but wished there was
something
he could do.
    â€œWhat’s Leo up to?” asked Amy, breaking the grim silence. Galileo was stealthily creeping across the grass nearby. Crouching low with ears flat to his head, he began to wiggle his bottom.
    â€œHe’s going to pounce,” said Alfie, recognizing the cat’s hunting mode. Galileo suddenly shot forwards, leaping through the air to land in the middle of the herb patch. A large mouse shot out of the parsley, squeaking loudly. The cat darted after it as it scampered through the grass to disappear into a hole in the castle stonework. Galileo settled down in front of the hole. Alfie knew he’d be there for hours. He had seen the cat wait patiently for days when he was hunting. Watching Galileo waiting for his meal made Alfie realize just how hungry he was himself.
    â€œCome on. Let’s go for lunch.”
    Gertie Entwhistle in the village bakery was delighted to see them, and Alfie began to feel better after one of her freshly baked steak pies.
    â€œI’d have thought that butler of yours would be horrified at you eating anywhere but the castle,” said Gertie as they paid for their lunch and bought bags of orange tongue-twizzlers and sherbet fizzbombs from her little sweet shop at the front of the bakery.
    â€œHe’s on holiday,” said Alfie, thinking quickly. He didn’t want news of the attack getting around the village and telling Gertie would be like putting an announcement in the local paper.
    â€œA holiday?” said Gertie in mock surprise. “I wish I could remember what those felt like. I could do with a butler around here. I just can’t keep up with business these days.”
    Alfie’s dad was back with the shopping when they returned to the castle. He seemed to be trying overly hard to be jolly as they helped him unpack and stock the cupboards. It was the longest Alfie had seen him in the kitchen since they had moved to the castle, and it was clear he didn’t have a clue where Ashford kept everything. Alfie could tell that Dad was still very uneasy. His eyes twitched to the window at every sound from the courtyard.
    â€œI’m making lasagne tonight,” he called after them as they headed back outside. “Be in the Great Hall for six. I don’t want to have to wander all over this place looking for you.”
    Alfie groaned as memories of his dad’s bizarre cooking came flooding back.
    In the courtyard Galileo was crouched on the cobbles beneath the oak with something between his paws.
    â€œWhat have you got there, boy?” said Alfie, creeping towards the cat. With a quick flick of his paw Galileo sent the mouse he had been stalking sailing through the air and leapt up to catch it again.
    â€œBad cat!” cried Robin. Galileo paid no attention, letting the creature run a little way before trapping it with his paws again.
    â€œHe’s just doing what cats do,” said Madeleine. “It’s in his nature.”
    â€œHe’s tormenting it!” said Robin, who could never bear to see an animal hurt.
    Alfie crept towards the cat. Galileo growled as he closed in, picking up the mouse in his jaws and springing to his feet. Alfie leapt forwards just in time to grab him around his furry waist. “Quick, get the mouse!” he shouted, as Galileo writhed in his hands, scratching at his arms. Robin gently eased the cat’s jaws open, releasing the mouse into Amy’s waiting hands.
    â€œPoor little fella,” said Amy, stroking the top of the mouse’s head as she carried it into the castle. Galileo followed, trying to claw his way up her jeans to reach the trembling creature. Alfie pulled him off her.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?” He deposited the cat in the kitchen next to his food