CHAPTER TEN
It was very dark inside Professor Nightingale’s house. All the curtains were closed. A near-blind man had little use for opening them, Oliver supposed.
Oliver sat very straight-backed on the armchair. Then he heard the door open and in came Professor Nightingale and Esther with a tray of tea.
Esther helped guide the old man to the couch. She placed the tray on the coffee table. There was a dusty-looking teapot on it and three cracked mugs.
“Shall I get the curtains?” she asked the old man as he sank into his seat.
“Yes, if you want, my dear. Percy won’t like it though.”
Percy? Oliver mused.
Esther went over and pulled the curtains wide apart. Dazzling light filled the room, catching the dust clouds she’d stirred.
“Too bright!” a sudden voice cried. “Too bright!”
Oliver
