The Enthusiastic Amateur: Chapter Five

Part One:

     ‘Sod it,’ Quaint said, thrusting his arms above his head.

     He felt the cold metal in his equally-as-cold fingers and gripped onto it as tightly as he could. With the chain secured, the first part of his plan was complete. Unfortunately, as was seemingly always the way, this bit of good luck had a bit of bad luck nipping at its heels, and he heard a loud crack above his head. He looked up at the large dark shape bearing down on him. The wooden post crashed down into the water, missing him by inches. Had he not managed to push against the glass just in time, he would have joined the wooden post as it sank to the bottom of the tank.

     As he swallowed water, he grabbed hold of the chain and pulled. The shattered wooden post breached the surface of the water and he was half-tempted to unchain it and use it as a flotation aid, but he quickly thought of a much better use for it. He weighed the wooden post in his hands. It was sodden and very heavy, and with the added load of the chain attached, he really didn’t know if he had the strength to pull off his plan.

     But that had never stopped him before.

     Slowly at first, but gathering speed and momentum, he began to swing the wooden post by its chain above his head. Around and around it went in a blur – until he let it fly. He tugged firmly on the chain and it went slack. Cursing, he tried once more, swirling the chain like a lasso and then sending it flying, hoping that it would snag onto something that would support his weight. Using the chain and post like a rope and hook was the only possible way of getting out of the tank, so it was such a shame that his plan wasn’t working. He tried it a third time, but again the wooden post went crashing into the empty dockland warehouse and came back loose. Quaint was suddenly reminded where he was and what the sign outside had said. The building was currently available for lease. That was just typical. He was in possibly the only warehouse on the entire length of the Thames that was completely empty.

     Quentin Claremont had chosen the location of his trap wisely.

     Undaunted, Quaint pressed his face up against the stained glass of the tank and peered into darkness. At first he saw nothing, but then he slowly lifted his gaze. Directly above his head were thick rafters, criss-crossing the roof. He gathered his nerves together with his strength. The throw would be tricky. Were he not submerged in deep water, he might easily be able to swing the chain up – but things were as they were and it was a bit late in the game to be a sore loser. Swinging the chain around and around above his head, with one mighty throw he launched the chain up into the air.

     He watched it loop itself over the wooden beam. He watched it snap taut and then swing back around for another pass. He watched it lock into place, wrapping around itself. And then he tested the strength with a strong tug. It would hold, he hoped. It would have to hold, for it was the only beam within range of his throw and if that broke…well, Quaint was just about optimistic enough not to worry about that eventuality.

     Some people say that laughter is a tonic, and Quaint could well agree, for as he gripped hold of the chain and pulled himself up and out of the tank he felt his spirits lift, his confidence grow, and an immeasurable desire to do Quentin Claremont some serious harm once he got his hands on him. He was already looking forward to it.

This is it, folks!

We’re almost at the end!

But in the meantime, Cornelius needs YOU to help him answer this week’s teaser so head to the Cornelius Quaint Facebook page and Twitter for more information and a chance to win a free copy of the latest Cornelius Quaint adventure, The Lazarus Curse!