Archie Greene and the Magician's Secret Read Online Free PDF Page B

Archie looked there were even more books. He had to step over stacks of them on the floor and every surface in the house seemed to have more books piled on it.
    ‘Sit down, sit down,’ said Loretta. ‘Make yourself at home.’
    Archie pulled out a chair and sat, being careful not to bump a tower of books balanced on the kitchen table. Thistle pulled out the chair opposite.
    ‘Are you thirsty, dear?’ Loretta leaned over Archie’s shoulder. ‘Would you like a drink? We’ve got some very nice elderberry squash.’
    ‘No, I’m fine,’ Archie said, feeling self-conscious. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘I’m thirsty, Mum,’ Thistle said. ‘Can I have a drink?’
    ‘Yes, of course my dear. Now be a good boy and get it yourself. Water, mind – those elderberries don’t grow on trees.’
    Archie noticed that Thistle helped himself to a drink of elderberry squash anyway.
    ‘And how is Mum … I mean Granny Greene?’ asked Loretta.
    ‘She’s very well,’ Archie replied politely. ‘She sent you a letter,’ he added, pulling it from his pocket and handing it to her.
    Loretta took a big breath and opened the envelope. She flapped the folded letter open and read it to herself.
    My Dear Loretta,
    I am writing to introduce Archie – your nephew. I think it would be best if he stays with you for a time – a few weeks at least.
    Until yesterday the promise I made to your brother tied my hands. But someone has sent Archie a book for his twelfth birthday – and it has come with a Special Instruction.
    I am sure I don’t need to tell you how concerning this is. I had hoped Archie’s life would take another course. I can’t pretend otherwise. But I fear that he cannot avoid his destiny.
    There are some matters that I must attend to urgently and it will be easier if I know that the boy is safe.
    Please take good care of Archie, and
help him find his way. He is a good boy and dearer to me than breath.
    Please give my love to the children and to Woodbine.
    Fondest regards,
    Your mother
    Loretta slipped the letter into a drawer. She was delighted to see her long-lost nephew, but the tone of the letter worried her. What was this mysterious book? She didn’t want to alarm Archie but she was intrigued and more than a little anxious.
    To calm her mind, she began to fuss about the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards and drawers, taking out and then putting away a selection of crockery and cutlery.
    There was one cupboard door that Loretta did not open. It was in the middle of the wall. Archie wondered what was in it. At that moment the cupboard flew open and a face appeared. Two grey crinkly eyes looked into the room. Archie, who was not used to seeing heads appear in cupboards, stared. The face was framed by straw-like hair that reminded Archie of a scarecrow.
    ‘What ho!’ said the scarecrow. ‘What’s all the noise about?’
    Archie could see now that it wasn’t a cupboard door – it was a serving hatch connecting the kitchen to the room next door.
    ‘There you are Woodbine,’ said Loretta. ‘We have a guest.’
    The grey crinkly eyes swivelled to look.
    ‘Archie, this is your Uncle Woodbine.’
    ‘What ho young ’un!’ Woodbine’s lined face broke into a wide, crooked smile. He reached through the hatch and they shook hands. Woodbine’s grip was so tight that Archie thought it might crush his fingers.
    ‘Pleased to meet you,’ Archie said, politely. His strange day had just got stranger.
    Woodbine nodded sagely and Thistle grinned, and even though he’d only just met them, Archie felt comfortable amongst these strange people. There was something familiar and oddly reassuring about them. Something that felt like home – so much so that when Loretta said, ‘Of course, you will stay for the summer?’ Archie found himself nodding his head enthusiastically.
    Thistle broke into a broad smile. ‘Excellent! I can’t wait to tell Bram!’
    ‘Bram?’ asked Archie.
    ‘Yeah,’ Thistle replied. ‘My sister,