Chapter 5
Beyond the next bridge, buskers roamed the streets, strumming guitars, blaring out breathy tunes on brass instruments, and singing a cappella. The rich vibrato of a solo violin floated toward the three friends, and as the music grew louder, Esme dug in her pocket for some merles. When they reached the source, however, she dropped the coins in surprise.
The busker was only half-there.
A disembodied leg, hip, arm, and shoulder protruded from the claret-coloured wall. The arm held a violin, across which a bow moved gracefully. The rest of the busker’s body, however, was firmly stuck in the stucco.
‘The walls around here are vicious,’ joked Daniel, as Esme scrambled on the cobbles for her merles. ‘Don’t ever lean against one.’
A laugh came from the wall.
‘Hi, Fern,’ said Daniel
