Neither Dead Nor Alive Read Online Free PDF Page B

up.”
    â€œMy dad told me. My mum was a McAlpine too.”
    I look at Mark. I’m hoping he’ll say something really cheesy that will break the spell. But he’s spooked by all this too. I’m wondering if he’s swallowed his gum.
    Fiona’s talking again. “You’ve got to go back and stop Aidan from being torn to pieces again by the dogs. You saw Gawawl kill Finn yesterday. The Red Book says Aidan was killed three days later. That means you’ve got just two days left.”
    She’s tearing open her parcel. “Look.”
    I don’t believe this. She’s giving me a blade a foot long with a staghorn handle.
    â€œTake this dirk,” she says. “It’s forged of iron. So long as you don’t panic it will give you protection over everything in the Land of the Old – except The Morrigan herself.”
    I don’t move.
    â€œRemember; Aidan saved your life yesterday. He has to die every midsummer for ever and ever.”
    I take the blade.
    I mumble something about not knowing where to go or what to do in the Land of the Old.
    â€œDon’t worry about that,” she says. “I’m coming with you.”

Chapter 7
    BACK TO BEING A BUDDY
    I’m lying awake in bed. Thinking. It’s got to be today or tomorrow. Mum got home late last night. I was sleeping. Fiona’s still got the dirk. I’m not chickening out. But I’ve no place to hide it and if she’s coming too she might as well hold on to it.
    I’m all psyched up. It’s like I’ve got a secret weapon, like a laser gun. I mean. if my watch strap could sort out old Gawawl what’ll a real Highland dirk do?
    I’m thinking over in my head how I’ll play it. Gawawl will come slavering at me. Fiona will be behind me. I’ll say “Stand back, traitor.” Then he’ll charge. I’ll let him come on a bit. Then I’ll draw the dirk. I’ll say something like, “Thus far and no further” and he’ll scuffle to a stop. Then I’ll... well, I’ll have to work that bit out later. Mum’s just come into my room.
    â€œMorning, Stevey,” she says.
    I hate ‘Stevey’. Rather be called ‘Duracell.’
    â€œTime to get up. We’re going back to Paisley today.” My stomach drops down into my guts.
    She goes on, “Isn’t that great? You’ll see all your pals again and Dad’ll be there …“ She’s bright and smiling like I haven’t seen her for ages, but she soon tails off. Maybe she’s guessed from my face I’m not exactly over the moon.
    â€œDad’ll take you to see St Mirren again… and,” – I guess she’s pretty desperate now – “the planes at the airport.”
    My brain freezes.
    I can’t tell her.
    â€œYou can invite Mark down to stay with us during the holidays – or at weekends.”
    I get out of bed, brush my teeth.
    â€œMum.”
    â€œYes, Stevey.”
    â€œCould we leave it till tomorrow?”
    â€œNo way.” I hear a smile singing in her voice. “We’re all back together again for always and always and always.” She rushes into the bathroom and hugs me.
    I wonder… does Mark have to put up with this sort of thing? Somehow I don’t think so.
    I eat my breakfast. We’ve a taxi booked to take us to Benderloch; then the bus to Connel; then the train. We’ve not got much luggage. It’s all been so quick. Mum and Dad are getting back together and it’s got to be today. The luggage can come on later. Dad never got round to sending my bike up, anyway.
    I’m thrilled about Dad and Mum. My dad’s great. If he was coming up here I’d be over the moon. We could go swimming again and I reckon he’d fancy a go at the karting at the caravan site. But he’s got his job in Paisley; so we’ve got to go there.

    ****

    We’re on the train now.