The Great Ice-Cream Heist by Elen Caldecott Page A

didn’t know whether to run towards the house or run away – she wanted to do both at once.
    And then another vehicle pulled up. Eva recognised Melanie sitting behind the wheel of the battered-looking car; it was small and squashed full of file boxes. Melanie got out and strode over to one of the officers. Eva was too far away to hear what they said, but the officer nodded, then spoke into his radio. Melanie went inside the house. She was gone for a few minutes, then she reappeared. She wasn’t alone. She guided Jamie in front of her, with one hand on his shoulder. His head was down. He didn’t even look up when the police car drove away with his mum in the back.
    Eva stepped forward, then broke into a run. ‘Jamie! Jamie!’ she yelled. But he didn’t hear her. Or, if he had heard, he pretended not to.
    Jamie fell on to Melanie’s passenger seat; the door closed. Melanie got in and the car sped away.
    Eva stopped. She was close to her house now. The other cars pulled away too. Only a few officers were left.
    â€˜Please!’ Eva stepped up to the nearest one. His skin was tanned and crinkled, as if he spent a lot of time outdoors. He smiled at her, though he looked distracted.
    â€˜What is it, pet? This is no place to be hanging around. You should get home.’
    â€˜Please, he’s my friend. The boy in the car. Jamie. Do you know where Melanie’s taking him?’
    The police officer shrugged. ‘No idea, sorry. It’s Child Protection’s job now. They’ll look after him.’
    â€˜When will he come home?’
    â€˜Here? If they do right by him, they’ll never send him back here.’

Chapter 17
    Eva realised that Gran and Heidi had come to stand beside her. They were the only ones left. The cars had gone; the McIntyres’ house was shut up like a keep, silent as a ruin.
    â€˜What should we do?’ Heidi asked.
    Eva didn’t know.
    â€˜Should we tell Sally and the others? Do you think they were arrested because of the lodge?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’ Eva’s mind was whirling. Poor Jamie , she thought over and over.
    â€˜There’s nothing to be done,’ Gran said. ‘The McIntyres are none of our concern now. You should get on home, Heidi, before your parents start worrying.’
    â€˜Mum’s not home,’ Heidi said cheerfully. ‘She won’t be for ages.’
    Gran frowned. ‘Well, maybe you’d better come in with us then. Is that OK, Eva?’
    Eva felt suddenly shy. It had been a long time since anyone had come to her house. At school, she was the odd one, the weird one, the one with the dead mum, the one who couldn’t read.
    Heidi was waiting for an answer. She bit her bottom lip and looked anxious.
    Eva suddenly realised that Heidi really wanted to be invited inside. She wanted to be here. It felt like the sunlight got a bit brighter, just for an instant. ‘Of course Heidi can come in. I’d like that.’
    Heidi grinned and her face went back to its normal, happy expression.
    â€˜OK then,’ Gran said. ‘We all need sugary drinks. That’s quite a shock you’ve both had.’
    They followed Gran into the kitchen, and sipped the orange juice she prepared. Then Eva led Heidi out into the garden. There was still a silence from the house next door, but it felt like the kind of silence that followed a shout – just a pause before the next shout came.
    Heidi sat on the swing. She pushed herself gently, careful not to spill her drink.
    â€˜Where do you think Jamie is?’ she asked.
    â€˜With Melanie somewhere?’ Eva suggested.
    â€˜He might have gone into care.’
    Eva didn’t really know what that meant, not really. She had images of orphanages from films: it was all gruel and rags and angry wardens. And there was Tracy Beaker, of course. She’d seen that on telly. Maybe Jamie was getting up to mischief and hoping that a new family