Yesterday was a beautiful Saturday. Harry and I spent most of the day relaxing and playing video games. Right after tea, he began getting bored. I was fine, I had a good book I was reading, but Harry wanted to explore. The problem was, he couldn't explore because his bodyguards always know where he is. Harry and I always have to wear monitoring bracelets around our ankles, so we don't wander off.
Highgrove is one of our estates that we don't know its every nook. Papa bought it about twenty years ago, so it hasn't been in our family as long as the others, such as Balmoral and Windsor Castle. Harry walked over to me while I was reading and whispered that he was going outside. I didn't pay too much attention because I was at a good part in my book.
Time flew as I read, curled up in my favorite chair. About two hours must've passed, and it was almost time to eat supper. I spoke with Harry's bodyguards, and they said that he had been sitting out under his favorite tree the whole time. I thought he must've fallen asleep, so I went back to my book. I got lost in the story again, and before I knew it, my valet was calling me to supper. That night we were going to be eating with Grandma.
I asked my valet if Harry had returned. When he said he hadn't seen him in four hours, I began to worry. I said I'd run outside and wake him up. Once I reached the tree he was supposed to be under, I found his monitoring bracelet, just lying there.
"Harry," I mumbled. "You're going to miss dinner!" I called out.
I searched all over the grounds, everywhere I thought he could possibly be. I knew I was missing dinner. All of a sudden, I heard a faint noise. It sounded like a voice, like Harry's voice!
"Harry!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I strained to hear a reply. I heard his voice again and followed it. I was near the estate when I could hear his voice clearly.
"William! I'm in the basement! I've been locked in here for hours! Help!"
"Hang on, Harry!" I answered. "I'm coming!"
I jogged up to the basement door and walked in. I had never been in this part of the estate before. Following the sounds of Harry's frantic banging, I tripped on something.
"Harry's torch," I breathed, holding up a broken flashlight. I kept going until I found Harry, trapped behind some ancient iron bars.
"Oh, Will! I'm so glad to see you! I was exploring, and I came down here. I wanted to see what was behind these bars, but they blew shut, and I was trapped," he said all in one breath.
"You're going to be in so much trouble," I began, sounding more stern that I had wanted to."First, you take off your bracelet, then you lock yourself into a strange part of the basement. To top it all off, you made me miss supper."
"I'm sorry, Will," he said, looking up at me with sad eyes.
I ruffled his red hair and led him back outside. He picked up his bracelet on they way. As soon as we walked in the door, every bodyguard pounced at us. Little did I know I had been gone for an hour, trying to find Harry. I had missed dinner, and no one knew where I was. I had accidentally forgotten to put on my bracelet.
After apologizing to almost everyone in the room, Harry and I trudged to the dining room. We found Grandma sitting in her chair. When she looked at us, we could see lines of worry disappear from her face. She watched us as we approached her, then gave us each a long hug. Just when I thought everything was going okay, she began scolding me. I couldn't believe it. I was getting in trouble for not keeping an eye on my "little" brother. My gosh! He's fourteen! He can take care of himself!
Now, for the rest of my vacation, I have to watch my teenaged brother to make sure he doesn't get into mischief. At least we're going back to school soon, where I won't be responsible for him anymore. Grandma didn't just scold me, though. She tore a strip off Harry! Maybe now he'll think before doing anything stupid, and I won't get in trouble for losing my little brother again.
