Читать книгу The Longest Halloween, Book Three: Gabbie Del Toro and the Mystery of the Warlock's Urn - Frank Wood - Страница 19

“So, Beast, tell me: How does it feel to know that your father and his cronies will be the ones to let the Dread Ones back among us all?” Florinda asked Gabbie as they were in line for lunch. Cauldrons simmered in the background.

“That’s not true, Florinda! My father is innocent. Now you take that back.”

“Or what, stripeless wonder?”

“Better a stripeless wonder than a flatulent, frizzy topped boor!”

“Flatulent! That's a good one, Gabbie,” Grawl said at her side.

“I know you’re not talking about anyone’s body odors, troll,” Florinda rounded on Grawl, “though you’ve definitely smelled no worse this year than your normal putrid self. And as for what happened earlier, Beast, that was a spell, and don’t think I didn’t know it was Neville and you who probably cast it,” Florinda barked."It's not surprising that the two of you stick together. Why, with your hoodlum, troll-loving father and Neville's absentee father and crazy dead mother, it's no wonder you live to make life miserable for the rest of us more normal witches and warlocks!"

“Oh, whatever!” Gabbie turned her back on Florinda, who responded by raising her hand to levitate a large jug of Baby’s Ale over Gabbie’s head.

“Gabbie, look out!” Grawl pulled Gabbie out of the way, ready to take the dousing, as Florinda jerked her hand backwards and the liquid began to pour out—but was stopped midair by Grace Johnson, who had been watching the exchange.

“Back off, Florinda.” Grace stepped between them. She waved her hand and righted the canister and the frozen-in-space liquid. “No one here has time for your special brand of foolishness.”

Florinda knew better than to challenge Grace, who was older and probably could give her what-for if it came down to it. “Another time, then.”

“Or not,” Grace retorted.

Florinda marched away with her tray of food following behind.

“Thanks, Grace, but you didn’t have to do that,” Gabbie said.

“Just doing a favor for a friend, Del Toro. Nothing more.”

“But you’ve taken from your cache.”

“No worries, I can make it up.” Grace smiled and added, “Stay out of trouble!”

“That was strange,” Gabbie remarked. "When did I get in her good graces, excuse the pun?”

“It’s not a big deal,” Grawl said. “You know Florinda’s a bully. As for Grace, she’s probably after brownie points.”

“Brownie points? With who?”

“Neville, of course. She’s nuts about him.”

“Neville, really? Since when?”

“Since for a long time now.”

“That’s ridiculous! What on earth do she and Neville have in common?”

“Never can tell. Opposites attract, after all.”

“Whatever,” Gabbie snorted. She was still dealing with the fact that Neville had been less than forthcoming with her this year and now to have this dropped was a little much. Gabbie sighed and pulled herself together. Always trace back frustrations to their core, Mother would say. She thought that these days, when so much had been taken from her, knowing that her friends were still her friends and that she could rely on them became all that much more important.