How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini by Elen Caldecott

shown her whatever was inside the boxes and made her an accomplice, then Ali would make him pay.
    The front door opened. Mum was back.
    â€˜Hi, sweetheart,’ she called.
    The fist in his stomach screwed tighter. Now it burned. Anger. He didn’t reply.
    â€˜Ali? Hello?’ Mum stood in the doorway. Ali could see her reflected in the windowpane. She was unwinding her pink shawl.
    â€˜Hi,’ he said finally.
    â€˜Anything interesting going on?’ Mum asked.
    Ali shrugged.
    â€˜Well, I’ve been having a nice time. I walked along the river towards town. There’s allotments and the park, you know. All quite close. We should explore together one weekend.’
    Ali made a noise that was nearly agreeing.
    â€˜Cat got your tongue?’ Mum smiled. ‘Oh, guess what? We went to a pet shop too. You would’ve liked that. Perhaps we could go there sometime?’
    Ali spun round and looked at Mum properly. ‘A pet shop? Why?’
    Mum shrugged. ‘Dave said it was time for Falcon to go back to her owner. He was delivering her to the people at the pet shop.’
    â€˜Falcon’s owner was at the pet shop?’ Ali stood up. Dave had taken Mum right into the heart of the gang! He had put her in danger.
    â€˜No.’ Mum shook her head. ‘I didn’t see her owner. But the men in the shop said they’d look after Falcon until she got back. Ali, what’s the matter?’
    Ali’s fists were clenched so tight that his nails dug into his skin. Red-hot blood pumped around his body. Dave had taken Mum to the shop, had introduced her to his minions.
    And, he realised suddenly, Dave had left Falcon with the men!
    Falcon was gone! The gang had got her!
    â€˜Ali, what is it? What’s the matter?’
    Ali took a slow breath. He couldn’t tell Mum, she wouldn’t understand. ‘Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just Caitlin. She . . . she really loves Falcon. She’s going to be upset.’
    â€˜Oh, of course.’
    â€˜I’m going to go and see she’s OK. All right? I’ll be back soon.’ Ali grabbed his coat from the hooks.
    â€˜Yes, fine,’ Mum said. ‘But don’t go far. It’s getting dark.’
    Ali leaned hard on Caitlin’s doorbell. Inside, he heard its sharp buzz, like a fly hurling itself at a window.
    There was no answer.
    She wasn’t home. Had she found out what her dad had done? Was she angry? Upset? Or did she still not believe that her dad was bad news? Ali gave a short, hard laugh. How could she not believe it? After what Gez heard, and now this! Dave had given Falcon to the bad guys. Ali pressed the bell once more, just to be sure.
    Nothing.
    Ali lay his hand on the door. The wood was cool and soothing against his palm. He turned away. As he walked back towards the lift, he saw the small flight of stairs that went up to the roof. Caitlin might be hiding up there.
    He pushed open the door. It seemed like ages since he’d been here last. But it was only a few days. Then it had been Everest, sunshine on top of the world. Now it was dark and windy, and the sounds of the streets drifted up from below: a police siren, a dog barking, cars driving home.
    He stepped out, looking for Caitlin. She was there, standing near the edge, gripping the handrail. She looked out towards the night-lit docks and the sea beyond.
    â€˜Caitlin,’ Ali said.
    She wiped her face quickly with the back of her sleeve.
    Was she crying? His anger stalled for a moment. Then he remembered that it was her dad who was causing all this trouble. Her dad who was putting Mum in danger.
    â€˜What do you want?’ Caitlin asked.
    â€˜Mum came back,’ Ali said. ‘She said Dave had given Falcon away.’
    Caitlin’s shoulders shook slightly. She was definitely crying.
    â€˜I didn’t . . . I didn’t get to say goodbye,’ she said through tears.
    Ali opened his mouth, but no words came. It