CHERUB: The Sleepwalker Read Online Free PDF Page B

recovering as much floating debris as possible in order to conduct a thorough investigation.’
    The reporter nodded earnestly. ‘Earlier information suggested that the crew heard an explosion aboard the aircraft approximately ten minutes before the airliner ditched into the Atlantic. Is there any indication at this stage that this was caused by a bomb?’
    ‘I can confirm that an explosion was heard, but no terrorist group has claimed responsibility. Presently the FBI is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and the British authorities to determine the cause of the crash.’
    ‘And with tomorrow being the sixth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Centre, the finger of suspicion must surely be pointing at Al Qaeda or another militant Islamic group?’
    The spokesman cleared his throat and repeated himself firmly. ‘At this stage we’re ruling nothing in and nothing out.’
    James turned away from the screen and looked across the table at Dana. ‘Gotta be terrorists,’ he said. ‘The timing’s just too perfect.’
    Dana nodded as she stirred honey into a bowl of porridge.
    ‘I don’t mind flying, but when you’re all strapped in and you look at how many people are crammed between you and the nearest exit my stomach always does a somersault.’
    Callum – who’d got his ear pierced the same day as James – nodded in agreement, but his identical twin shrugged.
    ‘We’re all gonna die of something,’ Connor said. ‘I’d rather go quick in a plane than let something like cancer get me.’
    Shakeel was coming towards the table with a tray of food and a smile on his chubby face.
    ‘Morning,’ James said. ‘You look pretty cheerful for someone whose golf cart turned into a flaming wreck.’
    Shak shrugged as he sat down. ‘I wasn’t taking it as serious as you, and you know how luck has a way of evening out? I passed Meryl Spencer as she was pinning our assignments for work experience on the noticeboard.’
    Dana’s eyebrows shot up – which was a rare occurrence for someone who acted disinterested as a matter of principle. ‘What did you get?’
    ‘Angel Graphics,’ Shak said happily. ‘It’s run by an ex-cherub. They do computer graphics and design mostly. 3D animation for adverts, kids’ TV and stuff like that.’
    ‘Sounds good,’ Dana said. ‘Did you see what everyone else got?’
    ‘You got Copthorne Racing.’
    James broke into a big grin. ‘Cool, we’ll be together.’
    Shak made a little grunt. ‘Do you think, Mr Adams?’
    James stalled with a forkload of scrambled egg halfway between his plate and his mouth, but then carried on because he knew Shak was more upset about the golf-cart race than he was letting on and a successful wind-up would help him earn back some points.
    ‘You’re full of it,’ James sneered.
    Shak grinned. ‘Go see for yourself. It’s pinned on the board outside Meryl’s office.’
    James didn’t want to get sucked into a wind-up, but Dana had nothing to lose by enquiring further. ‘So who’s with me if James isn’t?’
    ‘Clare Lowell,’ Shak said, as he hooked an entire rasher of bacon on to the end of his fork and squeezed it into his mouth.
    ‘I thought you were Muslim,’ Connor said.
    Shak grinned. ‘Some days I’m more Muslim than others.’
    ‘So,’ James said, still concerned that Shak was winding him up. ‘ If I didn’t get work experience at Copthorne Racing, where am I going?’
    ‘Oh, that’s the beautiful part.’
    Dana was starting to enjoy watching James suffer and she smiled. ‘What did he get?’
    ‘Deluxe Chicken,’ Shak said. ‘You know that crummy place in the car park outside the leisure centre?’
    ‘Yeah right,’ James said, shaking his head.
    Shak reached across the table and put his hand out to shake. ‘Five pounds says I’m not lying.’
    Shak was tight and James’ I don’t believe you expression wilted. ‘You’re really serious?’
    Shak wiggled his fingers, inviting a