Hello, and welcome to bedtime stories with me. ARAT well, it's a special episode today because this week, my new book, Friday barns undercover has gone on sale, which is huge in my life because every one of my books takes about six months to write and involves a lot of stress and, and just work and drawing ideas up from the depths of my soul. So when it finally goes on sale on other people can read it. It's, it's sort of like a weird sense of relief and, and just almost disbelief that this actually now exists in the world. So anyway, it's please go out and buy it or download it or whatever you wanna do. Um, I, I really do hope you enjoy it. Um, and to give you a teaser and a sense of what it's all about today on the podcast, I will read to you a chapter from that book, but before we get into the story, I did make a promise. I promise that I would give a shout out to everyone listening in Ireland.<laugh> thank you. Thank you for listening. It's awesome. Uh, as soon as I gave the promise, I then thought, oh my goodness, that's not fair on everyone listening everywhere else. Cuz I know people are listening. Spotify tells me that people have listened from over 80 countries around the world. I think the top 10 countries that download this show are Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada Britain. That's the top five. And then there's also, uh, island India. Uh, the Philippines Singapore. That's when my nephews are listening. I can't remember the other one. Uh, but Germany sometimes pops up into the top 10 as well. And you know, as I say, there's another 70 countries. These stories are being listened to. So it's wonderful to think of you all around the world with your families in apartments and houses or in the car, all listening to these silly stories and hopefully having some fun and a good time. Uh, thank you. Thank you so much. I hope you're enjoying it. All right. Well let's get into today's story cuz that's why we're here today. I'm gonna be reading a chapter of from Friday barn undercover. Here we go. Friday and Melanie were in the back of a police car being driven to the convent where they were staying Friday, stared out the window. As they passed through the narrow streets of Florence, there were so many beautiful buildings. So many tourists bustling about it was hard to believe that just a month ago she'd been cooped up in a cell in a juvenile detention center. Everything here was so lovely and she was leaving it all behind tomorrow. The thought made her pulse race worries started whizzing around in circles in her mind. Had she made the right decision, had hormones clouded her thinking. Did Ian have some sort of based mind control over her? Was she being trapped? Why wasn't there enough air in the car? Are you hyperventilating us Melanie Friday, glanced to cross. She hadn't been paying attention. She realized her breathing was getting rapid. I've gotta get out Friday whispered Horsely. She glanced at the car door. There was no handle. She was in the back of a police car. They didn't have handles on the inside at the back. I wanna get out. I can't breathe. She pounded on the barrier between her and the driver just wait, said Melanie we're trapped said Friday. She was dying to feel cold and no we're not, but we don't wanna walk further than we have to said Melanie. It's been a long day and I haven't had a nap yet. The car pulled up outside the convent and the driver hurried around to open the back door Friday, burst out onto the pavement, gasping in fresh air. Like she just emerged from a submarine that was low on oxygen. Is she okay as over? Not really said Melanie, but there's nothing anyone can do. Her boyfriend just asked her to move to Spain. Her body is struggling to come to terms with a panic. Ah, said the driver not in his head. Knowingly LA love makes fools of us all. Oh, no said Melanie Friday was always struggling to pass for normal romance is only one of her many problems. Melanie helped Friday to her feet. Come on, let's get you inside. We'll have a nice gelato and a lie down and you can read one of those boring books about pure mathematics to calm yourself. But it was not to be as Friday. And Melanie turned into the driveway, they found a crowd had gathered teachers, Mr. McClean and Mr. Nester as well as several students were huddle together, arguing except for Nigel who was just eaten a massive gelato. You can't postpone. I have to fly back tomorrow. Explain Mariella. I have an appointment with Dr. Leon Tuesday. Is it for an urgent medical issue? Ask Mr. Nester know, said Mariella, looking at Mr. Nester. Like he was crazy. If it was a medical appointment, I could just reschedule. Dr. Lee is much harder to get an appointment with than that. She's a doctor of cosmetology. I'm sorry. I don't understand what that is said. Mr. Nester, duh said Mirella. Dr. Lee does my nails. If I up my October appointment, I've got no chance of getting in with her again before November. I didn't know. You could get a PhD in cosmetology said Melanie, it wouldn't surprise me said Friday. I've met PhDs. Who've studied things much more ridiculous and certainly less practical. This is an outrageous waste of all our time said, Mr. McClean taking out his mobile, I'm reporting her to the headmaster. Her behavior on this trip has been scandalous. Who are we talking about? Us. Melanie, Mrs. Cannon and Centre Babcock. Oh, okay. That makes sense. At Melanie, Mrs. Cannon was the English teacher chaperone in the excursion. She was beloved by the students because she was a great believer in the role of rest and relaxation in the educational process. But to be fair, her behavior has always been pretty scandalous. She did pose for a nude portrait that covered an entire two-story wall of a school building. She did ask Mr. Nester. He was a new teacher and this had been before his time. Oh yes. Said Nigel between licks of his gelato. If you wanna see it, it's on the side of farmer Bryson's barn. He takes tour groups out to look at it every Wednesday at 4:00 PM. He says that's when the light is best as the sun sets. So she appears to go low. Mr. McClean was trying to call the headmaster heled at the screen several times before giving up this place is ridiculously snapped. Their mobile phone reception is terrible. It is a convent said, Melanie. I think they prefer to communicate with prayer and heavenly gelato at, at Nigel. So what happened? Ask Melanie Friday side. Now that the adrenaline had worn off and her hyperventilating was under control. She realized she was totally exhausted. She really wanted to go inside, lie down and be left alone. She did not want to know about whatever petty drama was unfolding with her school group. Mrs. Cannons mean robs Nigel. I dunno why she's making such a fused Mariella. It's not like she had anything. Nice. Anyway, this did catch right? His attention. She may have been so exhausted. She could barely stand up, but she really liked Mrs. Cannon, Mrs. Cannon was deeply eccentric in a fun way. Friday. Didn't like to think of someone. She liked being robbed. What? They steal us. Melanie. Everything said Mr. Nester, all Mrs. Cannon's things and all her clothes right now, she's sitting in a room naked and refusing to come out. And no one else is the same size as her has said, TRIA. So no one's got any clothes. They can lend her and Mr. McClean and Mr. Nester, can't go inside because men aren't allowed in the convent added Nigel. We have a plane to catch at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. Well, Mr. McClean, we don't have time for this and just call the police said Friday, the nuns don't want police in. The convent said, Mr. Nester, I tried reporting the theft to the police myself, but they're too respectful of the nuns. They won't come in unless they're invited. Well, Mrs. Cannon can hardly get on the plane. Naked said, Melanie, I wouldn't put it past. I said TRIA, besides she can't go anywhere said Mr. Nester, everything is missing. That means all her documents are gone, including her passport and the airline won't let us on the plane without a female chaperone for the girl said, Mr. McClean, the whole thing is a dub bale. Friday will investigate said, Melanie, she'll sort it out. No, I won't said Friday with a yawn. I'm too tired. It'll only take a minute. Saided Melanie. I'm sure you'll find a clue that will reveal the culprit. It's probably just one of Mrs. Cannon's admirers souvenir in some of her things I don't want to, who said Friday, she had her eyes closed, was trying to fall asleep while standing she'd been in two chases that day one in which she was chased by the police because they thought she was an art thief and another, when she was chasing the actual art thieves, it all added up to a lot of exercise. Come on, said Melanie. Mrs. Cannon's room is just along the corridor from ours. Anyway, a few minutes later, Friday, Melanie was standing outside Mrs. Cannon's door Friday long to walk the few extra meters to her own room. Aren't you gonna knock so we can get this over with. She asked Melanie I'm a little nervous admitted, Melanie. If Mrs Cannon's clothes have been stolen, I don't wanna confront her naked. She might be wrapped in a bedsheet, said Friday. I don't really wanna see that either said Melanie, she knocked on the door. Mrs. Cannon. I've brought Friday to investigate your crime. Go away. I'm too trauma to, to see you called Mrs. Cannon Friday was tired of standing. She slumped down on the floor with her back against the door. Fine. Just tell us what happened. She said with a YRN. Well, when we got back from town said, Mrs. Cannon, I went to take a shower afterwards. When I returned to my room, it was, everything was gone. I suspect those mean girls high CRE students are forever throwing clothes in the swamp. My suitcase is probably in the AR no river halfway out to sea by now. But how did you get from the bathroom back to your room? Mumble Friday, her eyes were closed again and she was drifting off. I, I walked said Mrs. Cannon, but I thought you were naked said Friday, her eyes drifted open again. Did you walk the length of the corridor naked? Goodness, no said Mrs. Cannon. This convent is too drafty for that. I wore my dressing gown. So you're not naked in there said Melanie, that means we can come in and have a look at the, a scene of the crime. I don't think so said Mrs. Cannon. I'd have to check with my union representative first. I don't want to have my rights violated, but aren't you the union representative at high Krista cany set Friday, which is why I'm so vulnerable said Mrs. Cannon. I look after everyone else, but who looks after me? We will all said Melanie, as she turned the handle and pushed the door open Friday was still leaning on it. So she fell backwards into the room. The room was the same size as their own, but there was only one bed. And as an added touch for comfort, there was a small arm chair. The most notable feature of the room was however, the total lack of anything else. Wow said, Melanie, they totally cleaned you out. Didn't they? They didn't even leave. My toothbrush said, Mrs. Cannon. Well, how did the thieves get in last Friday? As she slowly struggled to her feet through the window said, Mrs. Cannon Friday went over to inspect it. It was a lead light window made up of a dozen, small pains. One piece near the latch had been punched out. So the thief could reach in and unlock the window. The broken glass was still lying on the window. Sill Friday took a tape measure out of her pocket and measured the width, height and depth of the whole window. It looks like the building was designed to slot suitcases through the windows at Friday. It's exactly the right size for a large suitcase. Maybe the nuns did. It said Melanie, they designed the window. So the guests would be easier to Rob. The building was constructed. 400 years ago, said Friday. I doubt the architect could have anticipated the invention of the airplane. Let alone the exact specifications of an airline compliance suitcase who knows Galileo and Leonardo DaVinci were very clever, said, Melanie, maybe they did. The wall was so thick. Friday had to climb up on the window SIL so she could lean far enough forward to see out into the garden. There was a two meter drop to the flowering bushes below the height, made her feel queasy Friday, climbed back into the room. What did the clues reveal last Melanie? Well, the broken glasses on the inside said Friday pointing to the shards. Ooh, I know what that means said, Melanie. It comes up on TV, police dramas all the time. If the broken glasses on the inside that proves that someone broke it from the outside, when or fake crimes, they always get that wrong. Or it could mean that someone who watches a lot of TV knew to open the window before breaking the glass said Friday so that it would look like it was broken from the outside. So it could be an inside job said, Melanie, it would be such an easy crime to commit said Friday. All our thief had to do was wait till Mrs. Cannon went down the corridor to take a shower. They could easily sneak in, pack up a suitcase and tip it out through the window. Then go out around the outside of the building, pick it up and roll it down to the river. All my lovely things gone said, Mrs. Cannon D in her eyes with the corner of the bed sheet, except that didn't happen except Friday. You can't prove that said Mrs. Cannon, I don't have to said Friday. The Daphne has proven it for me. Daphne said, Melanie, there aren't any students in our group called Daphne. Daphne is the name of the lovely flower and shrub in the garden bed outside said Friday, like many beautiful things. Daphne can be delicate. Now a passenger is allowed to take 23 kilos of luggage on an international flight. Mrs. Canon likes to dress with style. Isn't that right? Mrs. Cannon shrugged. I like to look my best. I consider it a professional duty, which means you are not a light packer deduced Friday. So your suitcase would've been full. If you dropped 23 kilos from a height of two meters, that would generate 225 Newtons of force. Daphne bushes are not designed to withstand that. They would be crushed. Then the thief must have thrown it out. The window said, Mrs. Cannon, right over the flower Bush, the window is 80 centimeters. Deep set Friday. It would be impossible to lean into the window and then throw a 20 kilogram suitcase very far besides no thief came in that way because no one stood on the Daphne Bush either. Then who did it ask Melanie and how for that, we have to look for a motive set Friday. And there isn't really one, not a sensible one, but I can think of Ansible one, which leads me to deduce that Mrs. Cannon did it. You staged the whole thing. Didn't you? What an outrageous accusation said, Mrs. Cannon outrageous maybe said Friday accurate. Definitely. I don't understand said Melanie<affirmative> Mrs. Cannon does not want to go back to work at high. Kris academy said Friday, but Mrs. Cannon never does any work at high Kris academy said Melanie. Yes, but Mrs. Cannon loves Italy, said Friday. The food is fantastic. The scenery spectacular and the wait as flirt almost as out outrageously as she does. She doesn't wanna leave. This is why you are my favorite teacher. Melanie told Mrs. Cannon you're so wise, you can't prove any of these accusations said, Mrs. Cannon, my personality can't be taken down and used against me in a court of law. Actually character is routinely taken into consideration in a court of law said Friday, but that doesn't really matter because I it'll be hard to find some physical evidence. The suitcase is long gone said, Mrs. Cannon really said Friday, is that what you truly believe? Friday was back in deductive mode. Again, we know you don't like physical exertion. So if you had moved it, I doubt it would've gone far Mrs. Cannon smirked. But I noticed on the way in that Nigel was eating a six scoop gelato said Friday, gelato is wildly overpriced here. We've been in Italy for two weeks. Nigel is not good at mathematics. I know because I was in the same math class as him for two terms. So I know he failed financial maths repeatedly. I doubt he has any money left. So I, how could he afford that? Enormous overpriced gelato. Mrs. Cannon didn't look so S smug anymore. Mrs. Cannon, did you pay Nigel to hide your clothes? Last Friday, tucking her thumbs into the front of a cardigan. As if she was a barrister. She was enjoying the cross examination and getting caught up in the role. And I warn you. Nigel will confess he terrible at line and he's frightened of me. So it won't be hard to get him to spill the beans. Or in this case, the gelato, you must be tired said, Melanie, that was a terrible joke. Mrs. Cannon sagged, she realized the jig was up. All right. I paid him 20 euros to throw my suitcase in the river. She admitted I'm gonna get him in trouble. Aren't I don't worry. Teachers can't get detention said Melanie, besides it might be okay. Said Friday. Nigel's pretty lazy too. Let's find out if he actually did it after bribe in Nigel with another 20 Euro note, they soon had all the facts. He had thrown the suitcase in the ano, but me Nigel, he hadn't checked the tide, which had been low at the time. The suitcase was still standing wheels in the air, partially embedded in the muddy bank. Mr. McClean is gonna be insufferable when he finds out crumbled. Mrs. Cannon, don't worry. Mrs. C said Friday, we'll tell him the truth, but not the exact truth. We'll say a student threw your things in the river and we were able to retrieve them. So everything is okay. The fact that you paid Nigel to do it, it doesn't really need to get out said Melanie. But what if Nigel BLS asked Mrs. Cannon? Just give him another, the 20 euros. If he promises not to said Friday, when Friday finally got to lie down, she went out like a light. The mystery of Mrs. Cannon's clothes had taken her mind off the life changing decision she had to make the next day, the end. All right. So that's the end of the mini mystery. So you might wanna stop the podcast here, but I'm actually gonna read to you a bit more because the next bit is the teaser that leads into the next mystery. And I want you all to rush out and buy the book. So I'm gonna read this to you and leave you on a cliff hanger to drive you insane. So you go out and buy the book. If you don't wanna be driven, insane and forced to spend money, that's fine. Just stop listening now, but about to do it. So here we go. A call in the night, ah, Friday woke up suddenly it took her a moment to realize that there was someone knocking at the door. Who's that she wondered mum, Melanie, as she rolled over and tried to get comfortable. If we are quiet, they'll go away Friday. I know you are in there. Caught a recognizable voice. It was Parker, a boy's. So hapless, he often needed Friday's help to get him out of scrapes. Go away. Parker said Friday, it's the middle of the night really said Parker. My watch says it's 8:00 PM. I I'm pretty sure it's right, because we just finished dinner Friday. Tried putting a pillow of a head to drown out the sound. And I don't think eight o'clock is the middle of the night Parker. Prattled on. I'm pretty sure midnight is the middle of the night. I'm not good at maths, but I think that's still four hours away. Friday looked at own. Watch it read 8:04 PM. How long have we been asleep for? She asked she'd been so tired and in such a deep sleep she'd lost her bearings. It must have only been a couple of hours. Not long enough. Grumbled, Melanie. I think eight o'clock is more like early evening. Parker was still talking. It's hard to tell because people eat dinner later here in Italy. So maybe for them it's late afternoon. Friday's head still felt thick with exhaustion. Her body was achy too. It had been a crazy day and apparently it wasn't over yet. She swung her feet out of bed. No, don't do it. Protested, Melanie, if I don't, you'll never stop talking said Friday. And she opened the door. What trouble you in now? Oh, it's not me said Parker. Not this time. Anyway, it's Binky Binky said, Melanie, this news woke her up, but he's not here. Binky was Melanie's older brother. He had moved to Oslo to be close to his girlfriend. Ingrid, who just happened to be the crown princess of Norway. This was an arrangement. The king of Norway only tolerated because Binky had agreed to serve two years in the Norwegian army to demonst at his devotion. No agreed Parker. He's on the telephone. Can you believe it? The nuns have one of those old fashion types of phones. It's actually attached to the wall by a cable. It's like something out of an old movie. Anyway, he rang them up because he wanted to talk to Friday. Friday was soon jogging up to the off of the main courtyard. She would've run faster, but Melanie was with her and Melanie did not run. Not even when it was her brother in trouble. Melanie's legs and lungs were just not capable of it. Plus Melanie had enough faith in her friend's detective abilities to know that a couple of seconds delay was unlikely to be crucial when they got to the CLO Friday spotted the phone, it did look antique apart from the technology being old, that color of olive plastic had not been fashionable for many decades. The handset was hanging down by its cable Friday. Scooped it up. Hello Friday is that you asked pinky his voice was crackly Friday. Wasn't sure whether that was because he was calling long distance or, or because the telephone was a museum piece. Yes, it's me. Melanie's here too said Friday Melan had caught up and was standing alongside Friday, her ear pressed to the handset so she could listen in what's the problem. Oh, thank goodness I got hold of, you said Binky. He sounded very upset. I'm in a terrible mess. What's happened to us Friday there delay on the line. So it was awkward knowing when to speak and when to listen, they've locked me up. I'm in a jail cell, said Binky. There was definitely a sob in his voice. As he got these words out Friday felt a lump in her throat. She knew too well how awful it was to be in a jail cell. Sitting in a room. Doesn't sound that bad, but sitting in a room, you can't leave. Not ever because powerful people have decided that you are bad. That is a horrible feeling. Binky it's okay. Said Friday. Just tell me what happened. And I'll try to help I'm up on charges of PL FLA ques said Binky. What's PL flat ques ask Melanie. I don't know. Well, Binky, I don't speak Norwegian said Friday. Melanie had taken out her phone and looked it up here. It is. It means dereliction of duty. It does. Oh, no said Binky. They don't like it in the army. When you do that, did you do it ask Friday? I don't know, said Binky. I don't even know what dereliction means. He was sounding emotional again. It means a shameful failure to fulfill your duties at Friday. Oh, said Binky. Did you fail to fulfill your duties last Friday? Well, I can see how they might think that I did said Binky. What did you do? Ask Melanie or not do? I was on guard. Judy said Binky. And when you're on guard, Judy, it's very important to guard your post guard is meant to be your focus. Yes. Said Friday. There were lots of things she might have said here, like duh or no kidding. But her main was to not frighten Binky so he could get the rest of his story out. So she kept it simple. So what happened? They found me lying outside my guard posts at Binky, lying face down in the snow. I can see how they might take that. As dereliction of Judy said Friday. Yes. Agreed. Binky. Were you taking a nap? Asked Melanie. She was a great napper herself and Binky was her brother. So perhaps it ran in the family. Oh, no said Binky. Well actually I guess in a way, yes, but it wasn't a nap. I wanted to take, I was knocked unconscious by who asked Friday, a polar bear said Binky, you were knocked unconscious by a polar bear outside your guard post said Friday. She was repeating what pinky had said back to him because it sounded so crazy. She wanted to be sure she'd not misheard. Yes. Said Binky. I can see why they don't believe. You said Friday that doesn't really sound likely. Are people often knocked on conscious by polar bears in that area? No said Binky. At least I don't think so. My Norwegian isn't that good? And sometimes the other fellows don't tell me things because they think it's funny. This doesn't sound good. Said Friday. I know said Binky. My commanding officer is very cross with me. I'm facing a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday morning. If I'm found guilty, I'll be dishonorably discharged from the army and Ingrid's father. Won't let her go out with someone dishonorable. And if I can't go out with Ingrid, it will break my heart. He had definitely started to cry. Now you need a lawyer. Binky said Friday right now. Oh, I've got one said Binky. But he says he can only argue with the evidence he's got. And because I was unconscious, it's a mystery. What happened? As soon as he said that, I thought of you. You're so good at solving mysteries Friday, please. You will help me. Won't you of course said Friday, Binky was such a good soul. She couldn't let him down. We can fly out to Oslo. Straight away said Melanie. Oh, thank you. Melanie said Binky. Thank you. Thank you. I'm sure it'll be all right. If you and Friday come to help and never isn't all right. It'll feel so much better with you here to talk to everyone is so crossed with me. It's horrible. Don't worry said Friday. We'll get you as quickly as we can the end. So that's it for now. Thank you for listening until next time. Goodbye.