"And so it begins," said Granny Gold, exhaling deeply. A look of intense relief passed across her face."Eurgh, no - you haven't..." began Brandon.
"I was talking about my evil plan, not my evil bladder!" snapped Granny Gold. She took a sip of her tea. "I have set the bait. The rest is up to you now."
"Fine. Anything to get out of this schoolhouse," muttered Brandon. He hated sleeping at the school. Even worse, tomorrow it was time to let another family have a turn. He would be walking the streets or trying to sneak into the hospital. Granny was right: why should the Plastic family have the only house in the street?
"I want you to run up to the Plastic house and call for help. They'll all come running - they're that sort of people." Granny Gold looked disgusted. "Tell them your poor doddery old Grandad has fallen down the abyss. You must lead them there. They'll be sure to attempt a rescue - a rescue that is bound to go disastrously wrong."
"Okay," Brandon shrugged. "By the way, where is Grandad? Have you hidden him out of the way so it won't spoil the plan?"
"Something like that. I think it's called killing two birds with one stone. It's definitely called killing, anyway. Oh, wait a minute, Brandon." Granny stopped Brandon at the door. She tripped him up and kicked him a few times in the ribs.
"What was that for?" Brandon yelped.
"Firstly, because I enjoy it, and secondly because you need to look battered and bruised. You've been trying to help your Grandad and are injured."
"Right," gasped Brandon.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the..."
"The what?"
Granny pulled a face. "Too late. Now go, go, go!"
Brandon slowly shuffled out of the door, clutching his side. He had to admit it, Granny Gold was a genius.
