by Adele Abbott
“No, don’t say anything. I don’t want you to scare them off.”
“Righto.”
“Where are you going?” Jack yawned.
“To catch the person responsible for the graffiti.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No. You stay in bed. I can handle this.”
“Okay, but only if you’re sure.” He rolled over and was snoring before I had even reached the bedroom door.
I threw on some clothes, jumped in the car, and headed for the toll bridge. Unsurprisingly, the roads at that hour were practically deserted.
I pulled up a hundred yards short of the bridge, and made my way from there on foot. It was dark, but the light from the toll booth revealed a hooded figure stooped next to the wall of the bridge.
“Got you!” I’d managed to sneak up behind them without them hearing.
The hooded figure stood up and turned around to face me.
“Alicia?”
Her face was devoid of expression, and although she was staring directly at me, she registered no sign of recognition.
“Alicia!” I took her by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “Can you hear me?”
“Jill?” For the first time, she seemed to register my presence. “Where am I?” She looked around. “What time is it? What day is it?”
“Let me have this.” I took the aerosol can from her hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“I’m going to take you home with me.”
“Do you think we should call a doctor or take her to A&E?” Jack said.
He’d heard us get back, and had come downstairs to see what was going on. Alicia was resting on the sofa, while Jack and I made a cup of tea.
“Not yet. Let’s give her some time to see how she is. She’s already showing signs of snapping out of it.”
“Out of what, though? What happened to her?”
“I’m not sure, but I’d bet my life that Ma Chivers is behind it.”
“That woman sounds like a really nasty piece of work.”
“You don’t know the half of it. She’s never forgiven Alicia for breaking ranks.”
Two hours and several cups of tea later, Alicia was looking much better. I’d sent Jack back to bed, so Alicia and I could talk freely.
“Do you think I might have painted the other graffiti?” she said.
“I’m pretty sure you must have.”
“I don’t remember anything that has happened for the last week or so. I don’t even know where I’ve been.” Her voice caught in her throat. “I’m never going to be free of that woman, am I, Jill?”
“Yes, you will. You’ve done the hard part by breaking away from her.”
“I haven’t broken away from her, though, have I? Not if she can still control me like this.”
“Listen to me. I’m going to put a stop to this, I promise.”
“How?”
“I don’t know yet, but you’re going to stay here until I’ve figured it out.”
“I couldn’t impose on you like that.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re staying and that’s all there is to it.”
“What about your husband? What will you tell him? It must be difficult enough keeping your secret from him without all of this.”
“Let me worry about Jack. I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep on the sofa, though. The spare bedroom is uninhabitable at the moment.”
“That’s okay.”
“I’m going to go back to bed to see if I can catch a few hours’ sleep. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, and Jill, thanks.”
“How is she?” Jack was still wide awake when I went upstairs.
“Much better. I’ve told her she can stay here until I get this sorted out.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“I don’t have a clue, but I can’t let this continue. I’m not doing this just for Alicia. If I don’t put a stop to this, it could come back and bite me in the bum. That reminds me, don’t forget that Alicia doesn’t know that you know I’m a sup.”
“That’s okay. I’m getting used to people not knowing that I know. Is she still on the sofa?”
“Yeah. I would have given her the spare bedroom, but it’s still full of your junk.”
“What do you mean, junk?”
***
Alicia was still asleep when Jack and I left for work. I didn’t like to disturb her, so I left a note, telling her to make herself at home, but not to go outside under any circumstances.
So far, I’d made precious little headway with either the missing person case, or the murder in Middle Tweaking. I now also had the added complication of Alicia, and how to safeguard her from Ma Chivers.
It promised to be another interesting week.
“Morning, Mrs V.”
“Morning, Jill. Did you see any suspicious characters out there?”
“Err, no. Why?”
“If those crocheters can’t listen in electronically, I wouldn’t put it past them to send spies.”
“Is there actually anything here for them to spy on?”
She glanced furtively around, and then took a small black notebook out of her top drawer. Speaking in barely more than a whisper, she said, “These are the plans for our conference. Those crocheters would kill to get their hands on these. Would you like to see them?”
“No, thanks. You’d better put them back in the drawer. Just in case.”
“You’re right. You can never be too careful.”
“If anyone asks, you haven’t seen me.” Winky’s voice came from under the sofa.
I crouched so I could see him. “Who are you hiding from?”
“No one. Just don’t tell anyone I’m here.”
“If you want me to lie for you, you’re going to have to tell me what’s going on.”
“Bruiser is on the warpath.”
“The cat you gave the tattoo? Why’s he after you?”
Winky shrugged.
“If you don’t tell me, I won’t cover for you.”
“Okay, okay. There’s a bit of a problem with the tattoo I did for him.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Apparently, it’s become infected.”
“That’s not necessarily your fault. He may not have kept it clean. Provided that you thoroughly sterilised the equipment before you used it, I don’t see that you have anything to worry about. You did sterilise it, didn’t you?”
“It seemed like a lot of bother for nothing.”
“Oh boy. How bad is the infection?”
“I haven’t seen it myself, but from what I hear, there’s green pus involved.”
“Gross.”
***
I had hoped to get hold of Grandma, to discuss the ‘Alicia problem’, but she wasn’t answering her phone, so I decided to take a trip over to Candlefield, to see if Aunt Lucy had any idea where Grandma might be.
“I’m glad you’re here, Jill. Barry has been driving me crazy. He keeps asking when you’ll be coming over.” Just then, there was the unmistakeable sound of huge paws on the stairs. “That sounds like him now.”
“Jill!” Barry launched himself at me. “Guess what?”
“You like going for a walk?”
“Yes, I do, but that’s not it. I have big news!”
“I’m all ears.”
“No, you’re not. You have a nose and mouth, too. And eyes.”
“No, it’s just a saying. Never mind, what’s your big news?”
“I’ve finished my poem.”
“The one for Rhymes?”
“Yeah. Do you want to hear it?”
“Of course.”
He took a deep breath, and then began to recite.
Rhymes is a tortoise,
Rhymes has a shell,
I like Rhymes,
I liked Hamlet too.
I waited for more, but then I realised he’d finished.
“Do you like it, Jill?”
>
“Yeah, it’s—err—very nice. Has Rhymes heard it yet?”
“No, I wanted you to hear it first, to make sure it was okay.”
“I think it’s very good for a first attempt.”
“Thanks, Jill. I hope Rhymes likes it too.” He shot out of the door and back upstairs.
Aunt Lucy and I looked at one another.
“It almost rhymed,” she said.
“I’m sure Rhymes will love it.”
“I do hope so or Barry will be devastated. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“No, thanks. I wondered if you had any idea where Grandma is? She isn’t answering her phone.”
“She’s gone on a day trip with WOW.”
“Wow?”
“The Witches of Washbridge.”
“Oh yes, I remember now. She told me about them some time ago. Isn’t she the chair?”
“She is indeed.”
“I still haven’t had my invitation to join them yet.”
“Do you want one?”
“Not really.”
“It’s their annual day trip to the seaside. They’ve gone to Candle Sands, and won’t be back until late. Was it urgent?”
“Kind of, but it can wait one day. While I’m here, do you happen to know where I can find the Sinkhole Tavern.”
“You mustn’t go there.” She looked horrified. “It’s a ghastly place with a terrible reputation.”
“I have no choice. There’s someone I need to speak to, and that’s where he hangs out, apparently.”
“Anyone who frequents that place is bad news. Please be careful.”
“I always am.”
“Do you know the sewage works?”
“Surprisingly enough, no.” I laughed. “It’s not somewhere I’ve ever had the urge to visit.”
“I suppose not. It’s due South from here—you’ll know when you’re getting close.”
“How?”
She raised her eyebrows at my stupidity.
“Right, sorry. And the tavern is close by, is it?”
“Practically next door.”
“Wish me luck, then.”
***
Oh boy! What an awful smell.
Why would anyone in their right mind build a tavern next door to a sewage works? But then, judging by the state of the tavern, I guessed it had probably been there first. Either way, you had to wonder why anyone would choose to drink there. Other than the tavern and sewage works, there were no other buildings in sight.
“You can’t come in here.” The wizard barring my way was so ugly it should have been a criminal offence.
“Why not?”
“No women allowed in here. It’s men only in the Sinkhole Tavern.”
“You can’t bar people based on their gender.”
“Says who?”
“Says the law.”
He laughed. “The law don’t apply around these parts.”
Although I was appalled at the blatant sexism, I was even more shocked that they could afford to turn away custom. Judging by what I could see over Ugly’s shoulder, the tavern looked to be pretty much empty.
“I’m looking for someone.”
“Aren’t we all, love? You should try a dating agency.”
“I’m looking for someone in particular. Columbus Dark, do you know him?”
He shrugged.
“I have it under good authority that he frequents this—err—establishment.”
“Makes no odds either way. You can’t come in.”
“Okay, let me make this very simple for you. Either you let me in, or I turn you into a cockroach.”
“You?” He laughed. “That I’d like to see.”
I was about to oblige when from somewhere inside the tavern a voice boomed, “Let her in, Grainger!”
Ugly turned around. “Let her in?”
“You heard me.”
“But she’s a woman.”
“I can see that. Move out of the way, and let the young lady through the door. Don’t make me say it again.”
Ugly turned back to me, scowled, but then stepped to one side.
“Thank you, Grainger.” I flashed him a smile on my way past.
It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the dark. As I’d suspected, the place was practically deserted. Apart from the wizard behind the bar, there were only three customers. One of whom beckoned to me.
“I believe you’re looking for me?”
“Are you Columbus Dark?”
“At your service. I must apologise for Grainger. He has the manners of a pig.”
“Why don’t they allow women in here?”
“They never have, but to be honest, it’s not really a problem. There aren’t many women who would want to come to the Sinkhole. Or men, for that matter.”
“So why do you come here?”
“I was a customer here before the sewage works were built, and the habit kind of stuck. And besides, they still serve the best ale in Candlefield.”
“They must do.”
“I’ve rarely encountered a witch with as much spirit as you just demonstrated. There was one, but that was many moons ago now.”
“Her name wouldn’t happen to be Mirabel, would it?”
“How did you know?”
“Mirabel Millbright is my grandmother. She mentioned that you and she were once an item.”
“Well, well.” He chuckled. “That explains everything. The apple certainly didn’t fall far from the tree with you, did it? How is Mirabel?”
“As cantankerous as ever.”
“That’s my Mirabel. I could tell you stories about your grandmother that would make you blush.”
“Probably better you don’t.”
“You may be right.” He laughed. “Still, happy memories. No wonder you weren’t scared of Grainger. If the stories I’ve heard are true, you’re one of the most powerful witches Candlefield has ever known. Why are you looking for old Columbus?”
“I wanted to talk to you about world generators?”
“In that case, it’s a pity you didn’t come and see me two hundred years ago. I’ve been out of that business for over a century.”
“That’s funny because I heard you’d sold one recently.”
His face fell. “I knew that was a mistake. What’s happened?”
“You admit you sold it, then?”
“Only because they wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was an old one I’ve had kicking around for ages, but it needs repairing. I explained all of this to them, but they insisted they wanted it anyway. Has something bad happened?”
“Two humans have become trapped inside it.”
“Those stupid idiots. They should never have allowed humans anywhere near it.”
“Can you repair it and get them out?”
“Not without a blue star crystal, and they’re rarer than hen’s teeth. That’s why I haven’t repaired it before now.”
“If you had the crystal, would you be able to mend the thing, and get the humans out?”
“Yeah, easy, but there’s a shortage of crystals, and they cost a small fortune.”
“What if I could get one for you?”
He laughed. “I know you’re a powerful witch, but even you can’t produce a blue star crystal using magic. How are you going to get one?”
“I’m going to call in a favour. Stay right there. I’ll be back.”
What do you mean someone else has already claimed that catchphrase?
Chapter 16
This was going to be tricky. If I didn’t get the co-ordinates just right, I could be in for a very rough landing. But I had no choice, it had to be done.
“Kip, kip, kip!”
“Sorry, Cora, I didn’t mean to land in your nest.”
“Kip, kip, kip!”
“Ouch. Don’t do that.” I scrambled out before she could nip me again with her baby dragon teeth.
Moments later, a shadow fell over me, and I heard the sound of huge dragon wings.
“It’s just me. Sorry, I got my coordinates slightly wrong—I didn’t intend to land in her nest.”
“How did you get up here? I didn’t see you on the mountainside.”
“I cheated and used magic.”
“Why have you come back? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Actually, I was hoping to ask you a small favour.”
“If it’s about the flying creature—what did you call it? The airship? It’s flown past a few times since you were last here, and as I promised, I didn’t chase it away.”
“Thanks, I’m really grateful, but actually, I was hoping you might be able to take me to the village where the elves live. It would take me forever to find it by myself.”
“I’ll be happy to. Climb on my back and we’ll be there in no time.”
You might think that flying on a dragon’s back is cool, but let me tell you, it really isn’t—it’s very scary. I had to hold on for dear life, as Sybil swooped down from the mountain towards the forest below.
“Do you see the clearing over there, Jill?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s where the funny little creatures live. You’d better be ready to jump off because I don’t think they’ll be very happy to see me.”
“Okay.”
As we made our final approach, I could see the elves below me. They were all diving for cover into their small wooden houses. Once we were on the ground, I slid down Sybil’s tail, and then waved goodbye, as she headed back to her nest.
There were still no elves in sight, but I heard someone shout, “Jill? Is that you?”
“Cyrus? Where are you?”
“Over here.” He poked his head out from one of the small houses. “Has the dragon gone?”
“Yeah, it’s perfectly safe now. I asked her to bring me to your village.”
He edged slowly out of the house, whilst checking the sky to make sure Sybil wasn’t still around.
“What brings you back here, Jill?”
“I was hoping I might be able to call in that favour.”
“Of course. What can we do for you?”
“I need a blue star crystal if that’s possible.”
