The Temptation Of The Young Demon

Jazzman, Pete, Sweezus and Arthur make their way round to the marina.

There is only one house with a light on.

That's Beverley's house, says Jazzman. That's where he'll be.

Should we knock on the front door? says Sweezus.

Female devils might answer, says Arthur.

Woo-ooh, says Pete. Better approach from the water.

Yeah, says Jazzman. Follow me.

They sneak round the side of the house to the back where the rocks meet the water.

There is the usual clinking of boats and a rhythmical creaking.

I hear a rhythmical creaking, says Arthur. It's coming from up there.

By now they are under the decking of Beverley's house.

Now what? whispers Sweezus.

Shh! says Jazzman. We climb up. You go first.

You go first, says Sweezus. You know Beverley.

I'll go first, says Arthur, hoisting himself up by the decking and over the railing. Thud! He lands on the balcony near the hammock.

Eeek! cries Janice, from the depths of the hammock. An intruder! Go away!  Mum! Mum!

Beverley? says Arthur.

What? says Janice. Are you nuts?

If you're not Beverley, says Arthur, you must be a female demon.

Janice is delighted by this. A female demon. She has always suspected as much.

Actually...... says Janice

We came to find Gaius, says Arthur.

We? says Janice. Its just you. And Gaius is in there, in bed. Unless he's gone to the bathroom again. He keeps going.

You poisoned him, says Arthur.

Oh yes, agrees Janice.

And stole his biscuit, says Arthur.

That too, says Janice. It's down there on the rocks getting soggy.

And made him wear your father's pyjamas, says Arthur, getting it wrong.

No, you got that wrong, says Janice. If he had, I would have killed him. A demon can kill in a heartbeat.

Prove it, says Arthur.

Just at that moment a bloodcurdling shout issues up from below.

Janice giggles.

Someone's slipped on the biscuit, she says.

Arthur looks over the railing.

Then he looks back at Janice.

Her eyes glow unnaturally green.

Lucky, says Arthur.

The window behind Janice flies up. Gaius looks out.

Arthur! says Gaius. You came! Do you have a rope ladder?

Of course not, says Arthur. Just walk through the front door. I'll keep the demon talking.

The window slams down.

Keep me talking, says Janice.

You're bored living here, says Arthur.

Yep, says Janice. Bored bored bored.

Why don't you leave? says Arthur.

Not old enough, says Janice.

Demons don't have to be old enough, says Arthur. Think about it.

Janice lies back in the hammock and thinks about it.

When she sits up, Arthur has gone.