Johnny O'Brien - Day of Deliverance

Soon afterwards, Tony arrived; his shoulder was still heavily strapped from his injury. He looked around the cafe. Glass from the smashed front window had sprayed across the floor and broken crockery was strewn everywhere. Policemen were inspecting the debris. In one corner, Gino tried to comfort Francesca, who sobbed in his arms. Jack and Angus had not budged from their position in the booth.

“I don’t know what it is with you two,” Tony said, “but you always make such a lot of mess.”

Jack knew what he had to do. Clutching his chest to stem the bleeding, he staggered across to where his uncle sat cowering behind the long banqueting table. The food and drink was still laid out, untouched. Jack mounted the table and fixed his eyes menacingly on his uncle, who sank back into his chair, shaking. There was to be no mercy and Jack did not hesitate — he thrust the sword into his uncle’s heart.

The first performance of Hamlet at Soonhope High was over. The audience of parents and local worthies gave the tired but happy cast a well-deserved standing ovation. As rehearsed, Jack held out his hand to the wings and Miss Beattie came onto the stage, blushing slightly. She gave a little bow and received a bunch of flowers from one of the cast. There were calls of “Bravo!” from the audience. After a few more bows, the curtains closed.

Jack and Angus joined the backstage party to celebrate the success of the opening night.

“We’ll make an actor of you yet, Angus,” Jack said.

“Think it was watching the Henslowe Players for all those hours.”

“Nice of Beattie to give you a chance…” Jack looked round the room. “Here she is now — looks pleased.”

“And here come the Rector and Inchquin…”

“They’re out in force tonight.”

“And your mum.”

In a minute Jack and Angus were surrounded by the Rector, Inchquin and Beattie.

“Congratulations!” The Rector put out his hand. “A fine performance… you’ve done the school proud.”

“We’ve had a bit of a crash course over the last week,” Jack replied.

Inchquin smiled, “So I hear, Jack, so I hear.” He lowered his voice, to ensure that they were not overheard, “Which brings me onto another matter. You should know. Our salvage team finally found the wreck of Pendelshape’s helicopter in the English Channel.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Apparently it was all silted up and badly corroded. It’s been lying there for four hundred years, after all.”

“What about the bodies — any, er, remains of the people inside… Pendelshape?” Jack asked.

There was a flash of concern on the Rector’s face. “No, Jack. We found nobody — nobody at all.”