Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon Page A

at the very latest. I’d like it if everyone were back byhalf past five, though, just in case it gets a little tricky. Cat, Fox will take you into the city centre and show you the best way back.’ He glanced at his wife, who seemed disapproving of his decision to send Cat pickpocketing. But she didn’t interrupt. ‘Just do your best, and don’t get caught, because if you’re not back by six, we’ll have to leave without you.’ Harry’s face was apologetic, but Cat knew that regardless of how bad it would make him feel, he would carry out his threat. She nodded resolutely.
    The greying man turned to Fox.
    â€˜Fox, once you’ve dropped off Cat, I want you to meet me at our usual supplier’s. We’re bringing in more than usual this trip, and I’ll need all hands to carry things.’
    â€˜You’re leaving him alone in the city on his first try?’ Fox asked in shock, jerking a thumb in Cat’s direction.
    Harry shrugged.
    â€˜He’ll have to learn sooner or later. Being part of this crew means being part of a family, and that means the lad has to help where he can, same as the rest of us. And we left you alone on your first try,’ he pointed out.
    â€˜Yes, but I’d been pickpocketing for years before you found me. I knew what I was doing. He’s completely green – you can’t expect him to know what to do all on his own!’
    Cat flushed at the implication that she needed someone to hold her hand.
    â€˜I can handle myself, Fox. I’ll be fine on my own,’ she insisted hotly.
    â€˜See? Lad says he’ll be fine. Let him prove it,’ Harry cut in before Fox could turn his anger on Cat. ‘Like I said, we don’t have deadweight on this ship. No arguments, the boy’sflying solo. Now get on with it – we’ll see you in a bit. Remember, Cat, half past five. The clock tower is the tallest building in the city, you can’t miss it. Keep an eye on the time, and don’t stray far from where Fox leaves you.’
    Cat nodded, and Harry nudged Fox’s shoulder.
    â€˜Go on, then, brat.’
    Still scowling, Fox turned away from the group, walking out of the door without waiting for Cat to catch up. She sighed under her breath in frustration and raced after him, wondering again if all teenage boys were like him, or if he was just a special case.
    Catching up with Fox halfway down the corridor, she elbowed him in the stomach, annoyed.
    â€˜What was that for?’ he exclaimed.
    â€˜You’re being an arse,’ she told him frankly, feeling a small thrill as she said one of many words deemed ‘impolite for ladies of her breeding’ by her father. ‘I’d appreciate it if you stopped. Besides, that can’t have hurt, you’ve got about six layers on,’ she added, rolling her eyes.
    â€˜I haven’t “stopped” being an arse since I was younger than you. You’ll just have to deal with it.’
    Cat scoffed, climbing the trap ladder with ease.
    â€˜I highly doubt that. You were relatively personable before. So, to borrow a phrase from Matt, who peed in your porridge?’ she asked, standing to the side while Fox lowered the gangplank.
    â€˜No one. And I don’t believe my bad mood is any of your business,’ he retorted sharply.
    Cat let out a triumphant sound.
    â€˜So you admit you’re in a bad mood?’
    He growled quietly, ignoring the question, stalking past her down the slightly wobbly plank. Cat followed, picking up her pace while trying not to fall off the edge. Fox didn’t turn to check she was following, but strode on, weaving through the growing crowd with ease, coat flaring out behind him. She was surprised to see a distinct lack of military purple among the clusters of people; she hadn’t expected any men in work uniforms – everyone knew that Anglyan traders weren’t allowed off their ships in foreign docks, so