Julius and the Soulcatcher by Tim Hehir Page B

the shopwould be closed for the day, but he was lifted up and carried back inside by a tidal wave of kid-gloves, walking canes and literary periodicals. He only just managed to slip behind the counter.

    Three hours later the last customer had been served. Julius slid the bolt on the front door and leaned against it, enjoying the stillness of the empty shop. He closed his eyes and considered letting himself fall asleep where he stood. But then he remembered.
    Where’s grandfather, Higgins?
    As his mind began to churn, there was a knock at the door.
    ‘We’re closed,’ said Julius, without moving.
    The knocking persisted.
    Julius spun around and shouted through the frosted glass. ‘I said, we’re closed.’
    ‘Oi, ’iggins,’ came the reply. ‘Let me in.’
    It was Emily.
    ‘What do you want?’ he said, recalling her murderous expression in the kitchen the day before.
    ‘To come in. It’s freezing out ’ere.’
    He looked at her outline through the frosted glass. A sudden rush of resentment made him want to shout at her to go away and never come back. Immediately he felt ashamed of himself.
    If Mr Flynn wants a daughter why shouldn’t he have one, Higgins?
    He tried to push the feelings down.
    ‘I’m busy,’ he said. ‘Come back later.’
    ‘Let me in, ’iggins. You want me to get frostbite?’
    Julius leaned his forehead on the frosted glass and closed his eyes. He missed liking Emily. He sighed and opened the door.
    Emily stood there in her bonnet and fur-lined cap. Her purse hung from her wrist. She smiled. ‘’ello, ’iggins.’
    ‘Hello.’
    She walked in without being asked and stood at the counter like a customer. ‘Wot’s wrong? You get no sleep? You look terrible.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said Julius.
    ‘’ow did everyfing go yesterday?’ she said.
    Julius bolted the door. ‘We found the two bruisers’ hideout. Mr Flynn knows them, They’re Rapple and Baines.’
    ‘And? Wot ’appened?’
    ‘Tock was there. There were rats in cages, and orchids. Like the one Tock gave us. They’re called soulcatchers, and there was a large metal thing,’ said Julius.
    ‘Ace. Start talking,’ said Emily. ‘Why’s it called a soulcatcher?’
    ‘Darwin said the native people believed it trapped their souls.’
    ‘How?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Julius. ‘I’m sorry about Mr Flynn finding out about you stealing the diary. He guessed. But I told him that you were available.’
    ‘Ace,’ said Emily. ‘Wot did ’e say?’
    Julius remembered the drawing of the native girl.
    ‘Wot’s wrong, ’iggins?’ said Emily.
    ‘Er, nothing,’ said Julius. Tock was looking for her. She seemed so small. What if Baines had cut her hand off ? What else might they do to her?
    ‘You look like you’ve seen a debt collector, ’iggins.’
    ‘No. It’s nothing. I was just…’ Julius shook his thoughts away. ‘You’re not vexed with me then?’
    ‘Vexed? Me? No. Well, maybe a bit,’ said Emily. ‘Clara says it’s best to be agreeable to people. She says you gets more from the world if you’re civil to it than if you knock it on the ’ead wiv a pickaxe handle. So I’m giving it a try. I’m not promising naffing, mind.’
    ‘No,’ said Julius. ‘Of course not.’
    ‘Clara’s ace,’ said Emily, ignoring Julius’s sarcasm. ‘If I could pick someone to be my ma I reckon I’d pick ’er.’
    Julius felt a quiver of anger arising.
    You’ve got a brand new father, isn’t that enough?
    He walked into the parlour and fell into his chair. Emily followed. She looked around and sniffed.
    ‘Not bad,’ she said. ‘Could do wiv a woman’s touch.’
    Julius considered putting a few coals on the fire, but he was too tired to move.
    ‘You made an impression on ’er,’ said Emily.
    ‘On who?’
    ‘On Clara. She was asking all about you. Me and ’er spent the ’ole bleeding day scrubbing that bleeding kitchen. Look at my ’ands now, red raw. That’s slave labour, that is. I’m only a little