7
‘Right, then,’ I said, searching in vain for somewhere to stuff my new collection of music. ‘New plan?’
‘Find the lyre-thief,’ said Mother promptly.
‘You think it was stolen?’ said Jay.
‘Sounds like it.’
‘By whom?’
‘How should I know?’
Jay did his arms-folded-and-staring thing. ‘It occurs to me that you might have been the last person to see that lyre.’
‘If I was, why would I be looking for it now?’
‘Are you looking for it now?’
‘Why else would I be here?’
Jay shrugged.
Mother gave a sigh, and rubbed at her eyes. ‘It’s possible that it went missing on the night that I saw it,’ she allowed. ‘But if it did, it certainly wasn’t me that took it.’ She paused. ‘Not that I wouldn’t have, given half a chance. It had that effect on people.’
‘What effect?’ Jay said, looking at Mother
