Page 3 - Mouse Heart

Back and forth we fight. The swords clash, screech and scrape and I daren’t take my eyes off her blade for a second.
“Fine, Mouse, but what happens if I do this?” She jabs at me, avoiding my blade, cutting a small hole in my sleeve. “Or this?” The rapier swoops past my ear and the corner of my shirt collar flies in the air. “And how about this?” The point of her sword darts into the boards around my feet, forcing me to dance.
She’s won, and I feel a surge of anger. Not at her. At myself. I should have seen it coming. “Valentina, have a heart!” says Mr Hawkin, and she lets her blade drop. Her face all apology.
“I’m sorry – I got carried away. Are you okay, Mouse? Did I hurt you?” With barely a breath she steps forward and hugs me, pinning both my arms so that I can’t even lift my blade. “Valentina!” I say, wriggling to escape.
Letting go, she pokes her delicate little forefinger though the hole in my shirt. “Oops!” she giggles. “More sewing, I suppose.” Dancing back, she picks up her rapier. “You’ve learned a great deal, little one. You are so much better than you were a month ago. Now, ready for another bout?”
“Oh splendid! Allez!” Mr Hawkin stamps his broom on the stage.
Crouching, we circle each other, wheeling in and out of the sunlight. I wait for her to make the first move but she’s waiting for me.
I can hear the cry of startled birds and running feet but my gaze is fixed on her arm.
She goes left, I leap to the right.
“Help! Help!” Sudden shouts come from outside the theatre. Caught mid stroke, we freeze. “What—?” Valentina drops her sword.
“Walter?” I say.
The side door of the theatre crashes open and my friend, Walter Stroud, staggers in. He’s framed in the doorway. I can see his hands are stained. “I didn’t do it!” he cries, running towards us, running into the sunlight, holding up bloodied fingers. “Help me! Mouse. Valentina. Help me!”
“Giove!” exclaims Mr Hawkin. “Is that – real blood?”
Walter falls to his knees and holds out his palms. They’re thick with it. “Hide me!” he says. “They think I did it.”
Mouse Heart
Uncorrected Sample
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