Molly Moon & the Monster Music by Georgia Byng Page B

anything, “She very well,” Hiroyuki elaborated. “She’ll be back later, and you’ll see. You’re lucky to have her as a friend, Rocky. She’s a genius.”
    A genius? Surely Molly hadn’t told these boys she hardly knew about her hypnotic powers?
    â€œIn what way?” he asked.
    â€œIn what way?” Chokichi laughed. “In her musical way, of course. Wow, can she play guitar! Even with a lifetime’s practice I couldn’t hope to play that well.”
    â€œHer harmonica’s amazin’, too,” Gerry agreed.
    Rocky must have looked puzzled because Gerry asked, “You do know that, don’t you?”
    â€œOf course I do,” Rocky lied, realizing that fornow this might be the best strategy to help him get to the bottom of whatever was going on. “It’s just . . . she said she was taking a break from her music.”
    â€œNever!” Hiroyuki exclaimed. “Molly must never stop.”
    Rocky got up and went over to Gerry, who was standing by the window looking glum. “What’s the matter, Gerry?”
    â€œOh, I’m cross because Mr. Proila, the band’s manager, told me that fish dealers in Tokyo market are selling bluefin tuna. I hate those people. Bluefin are very special rare fish. How come people don’t care about saving the beautiful things in our world?”
    Rocky squeezed his shoulder. “It’s difficult when you care so much about something like that but can’t do anything about it because you’re a kid.”
    â€œYes. We just have to watch the bad adults messing things up.”
    â€œWell, when you’re older you can be a good adult and fix things.”
    Gerry folded his arms. “Yeah? That’s a long time to wait, though.”
    Soon everyone decided to go to bed. Rocky was taken up to Toka’s room, where there was another spare mattress. Gerry got into his bed with his clothes still on and yawned. He lay down and rolledover.
    â€œBy the way, Rocky,” he said, his eyes fluttering as he was already half asleep, “Molly is a bit different. She reminds me of a mouse fed on sugar lumps. She’s gone just a little bit crazy.”
    Before Rocky could ask any more, Gerry fell asleep. Rocky put on his headphones, opened his computer, and began watching a film. He’d catch Molly when she came in.
    When Molly got back to the apartment the main living room was dark except for the lights of Tokyo that filtered in through the blinds. Molly sat down on the sofa and pulled out her coin.
    Its power was incredible. It was like some fairy godmother, her powerful friend with concern for Molly’s success at its heart. She thought of how Petula and the old woman had attempted to steal it and she gritted her teeth with hatred.
    â€œHow did that old bat know about your power?” she whispered to the coin. “Will she tell the boys? Would they believe her? No, they love me now. They’ll just think she’s a nutty old lady. And what about Petula? I suppose she sensed you. I’ll have to keep you always close to me now. Don’t worry. I’ll look after you properly from now on.”
    As she whispered she noticed that something was flickering on the balcony, just as it had the night before. There was definitely a man there. She immediately went to investigate. She squinted out but there was nothing there now. Could it have been just the city lights against the glass? She slid open the glass and stepped out.
    Molly peered over the railing. No one was there. Molly frowned. Perhaps her tired eyes were playing tricks on her.
    Back inside, she locked the sliding door, puzzled. “It’s too high,” she mumbled. “Fourteenth floor. No one could climb up here.”
    After changing into silk pajamas, Molly got into bed. She felt excited. Tucking the coin into her pajama pocket, she shut her eyes and pictured her marvelous future. She imagined the