The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘I’m sorry about your marble but it seemed the right thing to do.’

  ‘Aw! It’s fine. I’ve got plenty in my loft. Be nice if Jennet was as sociable.’

  ‘Sabrina wasn’t what I expected. She was calm, and very beautiful, in an unusual way.’

  ‘Unlike the other water nymphs we know!’

  Camelin laughed loudly. Jack thought Nora would probably have given him a disapproving look.

  ‘We’d better get back to the coracle,’ said Jack.

  ‘Yeh, we can have some fun now that’s over with.’

  ‘I think we’d better get home; look, the sun’s about to rise,’ replied Jack as he pointed to the horizon.

  ‘That’s not fair. I get my body back and as soon as there’s a chance to have a bit of fun it’s time to go home.’

  Jack ignored Camelin’s moan. They both knew they’d have to go.

  ‘Do you think we need to hold hands when I wish us back?’

  ‘No! You can hold the end of the umbrella, and don’t forget to make sure Nora knows it wasn’t my fault I was here.’

  ‘I promise. Ready?’

  ‘Ready.’

  Jack held onto the end of the umbrella, closed his eyes and wished they were each back home. He waited for a rushing sensation but nothing happened. When he opened his eyes he was in his bed at Brenin House. It was as if nothing had happened. Had it been a dream? He instinctively put his hand to his neck. The thong was there. He ran his hand down the leather until he felt the hag stone at the end. His quest really had begun but he’d only got two more visits to Elidon in which to find the missing piece of torc. Jack leapt out of bed. He washed and dressed quickly; there wasn’t a moment to lose. The sooner he got to Ewell House and spoke to Elan and Nora about the King’s stone the better. He could start looking for the next piece of torc as soon as he knew where to find the standing stone.

  ‘Hello,’ Jack called as he reached the open patio doors. He bent over and put his hands on his knees as he fought to get his breath back. Maybe running all the way to Ewell House hadn’t been a good idea. ‘Hello, is anyone up?’

  ‘Of course they’re up,’ grumbled a familiar voice. ‘But too busy to bother about me, I’ve had to get my own breakfast.’

  As Jack stepped into the kitchen, Camelin shuffled out of the pantry.

  ‘Does Nora know you’ve helped yourself?’

  ‘Had to, she won’t be back for ages, they’ve got a visitor. It’s that new friend of yours. They’re all in the shed.’

  ‘Techno?’

  ‘Yes, him.’

  Jack sighed loudly.

  ‘Humph! Thought you liked him?’

  ‘It’s not that; I wanted to talk to Nora about last night. Did you tell her what happened?’

  ‘You promised you’d tell her so she’d know it wasn’t my fault. She knows something’s up… said she’d speak to me later. I bet one of the trees told her.’

  ‘I will sort it out, but I’m not going to be able to say anything while Techno’s here and Grandad will be here to help soon.’

  ‘Why’d you have to get involved with all this buggy making in the first place?’

  ‘It just sort of happened.’

  ‘I’ll be glad when it’s finished. Do something useful and give me a hand upstairs with this lot, I’m starving after all that excitement last night.’

  Jack watched as Camelin used his beak to drag a canvas bag through the pantry door.

  ‘Won’t Nora miss all that?’

  ‘Naw, the trick is to just take a bit from everything. Trouble is, there’s nothing interesting in Nora’s pantry… it’s all healthy stuff.’

  Camelin stopped pulling once he’d reached Jack’s feet.’

  ‘Bring this lot up to the loft for me. It’ll save me having to find places to stash it all.’

  Before Jack could protest, Camelin was already heading for the open patio door.

  As Jack struggled up to the loft with Camelin’s bag of supplies he tried to think of a way to get Nora on her own so he could tell her about the visit to Elidon. Surely she’d know about the King’s stone or maybe have a book about it. He’d tried to ask his Book of Shadows but he’d not got any answers. He was sure he’d be given the information if he asked the right questions.

  ‘You took your time,’ grumbled Camelin, as he looked through the trap door.

  Jack didn’t answer. He managed to get the bag up the ladder and push it towards Camelin’s emergency ration dustbin.

  ‘Ah thanks Jack! I can take it from here.’

  ‘See you later.’

  ‘You will. I can’t wait to go back to Elidon.’

  Jack tried to share Camelin’s enthusiasm but in his heart he felt apprehensive. He didn’t want to go back until he’d learnt as much as he could. The next time he crossed into the shadows he wanted to be prepared, especially now he knew Velindur was there.

  Jack realised the conversation was over when Camelin started sorting through the bag. He made his way back down to the kitchen and over to the shed. It was going to be a long day.

  Jack was surprised to see Nora’s shed had been filled with wheels, frames, wood and an enormous toolbox. Elan and Techno were busy assembling a frame out of two bicycles. One looked old and battered but the other looked brand new. Nora seemed to be in charge of the various tools and passed what she was asked for.

  ‘Hi, can I help?’

  ‘Of course you can,’ said Nora, ‘come and hold this steady for Elan while she tightens it up.’

  Jack held onto the new bicycle frame and watched as Elan copied everything Techno did. Neither of them offered him a go with the spanner.

  ‘Where did you get the bikes from?’ asked Jack.

  ‘This one’s my old one, it’s too small for me now,’ explained Techno, ‘and the one you’re holding was my birthday present from my dad.’

  ‘It looks brand new!’

  ‘It is, but we needed two bikes to make the buggy.’

  ‘But what about your bike…’

  ‘I can dismantle the buggy and remake my bike when the race is over.’

  ‘It might get scratched.’

  ‘I’ll repaint it.’

  Jack watched Techno as he worked. He couldn’t believe someone would sacrifice their new bike and take it to pieces. It would never be the same again.

  ‘Are you sure this is alright? What will your dad say when he finds out?’

  ‘Techno’s dad was here first thing this morning, and most of what you see here came out of his trailer, including the new bicycle,’ explained Nora.

  ‘When I told Dad what happened to your buggy and said I wanted to help, he said it was OK. I’ve been working on these plans for ages. Your grandad offered me his bike but it wasn’t the right size.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack. He knew it didn’t sound much but he felt close to tears and didn’t want any of them to see him cry.

  A crunching sound on the gravel made everyone turn. Grandad rounded the corner carrying his own toolbox and a canvas bag.

  ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘Really well Mr Brenin,’ said Techno, ‘Everything’s going to plan.’

  Jack watched as his grandad inspected the bits and pieces that littered the shed floor. It looked like a pile of scrap to Jack but his grandad seemed to be impressed.

  ‘It’s looking good; if we crack on we might get back on target and have it ready for a test run by the weekend.’

  Nora let Grandad take the frame she’d been holding and stepped out of the way.

  ‘I’ll be in the herborium if anyone needs me. I’ll bring you all a drink in a while and maybe when it gets closer to lunchtime one of you might like to give me a hand with some sandwiches.’

  ‘I’ll help you,’ Jack volunteered. He felt like a spare part in the shed and helping Nora would give him a chance to explain about Elidon and ask her some questions.Time dragged for Jack. Grandad, Techno and Elan were totally engrossed in the buggy making. They chatted a
way discussing how best to do things and what should go where. He felt useless now Techno was involved. Jack wondered if they’d get on quicker without him. They kept having to explain what the tools looked like each time they needed something. It was a relief when Nora shouted for him to help with lunch. He raced from the shed to the kitchen.

  ‘You butter and I’ll fill,’ Nora said, as she nodded for Jack to sit next to her at the table.

  Now Jack was able to speak to Nora he didn’t know where to start.

  ‘Something happened last night…’

  ‘I know,’ she replied. ‘I had a report this morning, it seems Camelin went out for a night flight.’

  ‘It wasn’t his fault, it was mine.’

  Nora smiled then laughed.

  ‘I have one nervous raven upstairs who thinks he’s in trouble. I know what happened; don’t forget, fairies can see both worlds. Twink told me how you used crystal magic to enter Elidon and how Camelin broke through the veil between the two worlds. I presume you called for him.’

  ‘I was frightened and wished he was there, and there he was. It was all very strange but it was real, look.’

  Jack pulled out the hag stone and showed it to Nora.

  ‘Camelin has one too; Kerne gave them to us. He said there was a mean Hag in Elidon. I’m only allowed to go back twice before Samhain to find that missing piece of torc. I’ve got to go to the King’s stone to find the piece that was hidden on Earth. Do you know anything that might help? I know I’ve got to do this on my own but the more information I can get the better.’

  ‘Start at the beginning and tell me everything and then I’ll know if I can point you in the right direction.’

  While they made lunch for everyone Jack told Nora everything that had happened during the night. When he’d finished Nora nodded thoughtfully.

  ‘Go and tell them lunch is ready, and later, when everyone’s gone I think we need to pay a visit to Cory, she’ll be able to answer any questions you may have about the King’s stone.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack. ‘I don’t want to fail.’

  ‘You won’t. We are all very proud of you. At Samhain you will be crowned, the Stone of Destiny is never wrong. Now, off you go and fetch the others. I’ll take Camelin his lunch and let him know he’s not in trouble.’

  Jack hoped Camelin had moved his stash somewhere safe, if not, there was a strong possibility he would be in trouble after all.

  PROBLEMS

  Work resumed on the buggy after lunch. The only break they had during the afternoon was when Nora brought lemonade and biscuits. Jack caught a glimpse of Camelin flying towards Glasruhen as they sat in the sunshine with their drinks. Jack had plenty of time to think while the others discussed the progress of the buggy. He needed to plan the two remaining visits to Elidon carefully. The best place to start would be the Hag’s cave. Maybe Camelin had gone to find out where it used to be. He was certain there weren’t any Hags living in Glasruhen now. He was glad Camelin would be with him in Elidon.

  For the rest of the afternoon, Techno and Elan worked on the framework and Grandad made the seat. All Jack was required to do was pass screwdrivers and spanners from the toolboxes. He would rather have been flying with Camelin but helping with the buggy was something he couldn’t get out of. He listened to Elan and Techno chatting happily together. They were both excited and engrossed; he knew how Camelin felt now when he was left out. Grandad looked happy, too. Jack hoped he might be allowed to help paint the buggy when it was finished. He looked over at the shelf where the paint was kept. As he scanned the neat row of tins he saw the one that had been spilt. The outside was covered in blue. Jack smiled; Max and Tank were having their hair shaved off today.

  ‘I think it’s time to stop,’ announced Grandad. ‘That’s a good day’s work; she should be finished by the weekend. Shall we see if we can get her over to Monument Hill on Sunday afternoon and give her a trial run?’

  ‘That would be great Mr Brenin, I’m sure my dad wouldn’t mind taking us. We could put the buggy in his trailer, and we’d all fit in his car. I’ll bring my stopwatch.’

  Jack forced himself to grin like the others, but he didn’t feel excited.

  ‘You can have first go Jack,’ said Elan.

  Jack’s heart missed a beat. The last thing he wanted to do was to career headlong down a hill so close to the ground.

  ‘It’s fine, you or Techno can go first.’

  ‘I wish I could fit into that seat, there’s nothing like feeling the wind blowing in your face,’ said Grandad, as he looked longingly at the buggy.

  ‘We’re going to need a helmet, it said so in the safety rules,’ said Techno.

  ‘I’ve got one we can use…’ said Elan.

  Jack’s eyebrows rose. He couldn’t imagine Elan wearing a crash helmet. He wondered if she might be going to magic one so he didn’t say anything.

  ‘… and I think Techno should go first, it’s his design.’

  Techno looked overjoyed.

  ‘Are you sure Elan? It was your buggy that got smashed. What about you Jack?’

  ‘Be my guest, I’ll time you.’

  Grandad looked thoughtful before he spoke.

  ‘You all need to have a go. The driver’s weight can affect the speed. From the trials we’ll be able to work out who should drive on race day. We all want what’s best for the team don’t we?’

  ‘We do,’ everyone agreed.

  Jack felt as if a great weight had been lifted. He knew he wouldn’t have the fastest time.

  ‘Of course the strongest one will need to go round the course. There are a couple of hills that the buggy will need to be pushed up,’ continued Grandad.

  Jack smiled. He knew without a doubt that Elan was the strongest.

  ‘That’s settled then,’ said Grandad. ‘We’ll aim to have our new Comet finished for trials by the weekend.’

  Jack looked wistfully at Nora and Elan as they said their goodbyes. He’d hoped to be able to visit Cory later but he knew that wasn’t going to happen as Grandad had insisted they walk home with Techno. He said he wanted to talk to his dad but Jack suspected he wanted to make sure he got home alright. It wasn’t far, and before long, they’d turned into the street where Techno lived.

  ‘That’s my house on the left,’ said Techno as he pointed to a detached house with a large front garden, ‘it’s the one opposite the park.’

  When they reached the park gates they had to wait to cross the road. Jack thought he heard whispering coming from behind one of the bushes. He didn’t want to look round because he was sure the voices belonged to Max and Tank. He looked up at the roof of Techno’s house. Two starlings were perched on the gable end. He was too far away to be sure but he thought they looked like Bicker and Grudge. It was a good job Grandad was there, he didn’t want to think what might have happened to Techno if he’d been on his own.

  Jack wasn’t alone until bedtime. He was about to get ready for bed when he heard a faint tap on his window. When he peeped round the curtain he saw Camelin sitting on the windowsill. Jack opened the window.

  ‘You took your time coming upstairs. I’ve been waiting in that tree opposite for over an hour now. I’m not coming in, can’t stop if I want to make the chippy, it closes soon and I’ll be able to have what’s left if I get there in time.’

  ‘I think Max and Tank were watching Techno’s house.’

  ‘Old news, got that covered. Nora’s told the Squad to keep an extra eye out for him; he’s as small as you isn’t he?’

  ‘Was there a reason for your visit?’

  ‘Got some news for you; this afternoon I went to see Cory. She told me the large stone in the middle of the stone circle used to be called the King’s stone. She thinks that’s the one you need to look through.’

  ‘That’s great news. As soon as the buggy’s finished we can go and see her.’

  ‘Can’t you use a bit of magic and get it finished quicker? It’s no fun without you.’

  Ja
ck ignored the question. Camelin already knew the answer.

  ‘I’m sorry. I don’t like it any more than you do.’

  ‘Aw well! See you later… get dreaming. I could do with another visit to Elidon tonight.’

  ‘I’ll do my best, see you later.’

  Without another word Camelin took off and headed in the direction of the shops. Jack felt envious, not only because Camelin was free to fly when he wanted, but also because he too quite fancied some fish and chips.

  When he was ready for bed Jack called downstairs and said goodnight. He lay in bed and wondered how long it would be before his grandad came up to bed and fell asleep. He wished Orin were with him. He missed not talking to her. As Jack fought to stay awake he heard a fluttering of tiny wings circling around his room.

  ‘Dorysk? Is that you?’ Jack whispered.

  A large moth landed on the bottom of Jack’s bed and began to crawl towards his legs. With each step it grew bigger and began to change shape. It wasn’t long before the Dorysk stood on top of Jack’s bent knees.

  ‘You missed a treat today,’ the Dorysk chuckled.

  ‘Why? What happened?’

  ‘Those two boys, the nasty pair, had their head’s shaved. Nora asked me to keep an extra watch on them so I followed them this afternoon. Gave Bicker and Grudge a laugh too when Max took his cap off and showed Tank’s mum his blue hair.’

  Jack smiled. It served Max right for smashing the buggy. The Dorysk began making a buzzing sound then chuckled again.

  ‘Cried, he did, when he saw himself in the mirror. I wish you could have seen it. Tank didn’t seem too bothered. It serves them right for being so horrible.’

  ‘Thanks for coming to tell me. Does Camelin know?’

  ‘Can’t find him, he wasn’t in his loft.’

  ‘Try the chip shop.’

  ‘Now why didn’t I think of that? I’d better be off. If I hurry there might be a few scraps left.’

  Jack doubted it. Camelin didn’t usually miss anything, and he could pick up the tiniest crumbs.

  ‘See you soon,’ Jack whispered as the Dorysk changed back into a moth and flitted out of the open window.