Shadows at Stonewylde Read Online Free PDF

whilst young Jay ruled the roost. Eventually it had become clear that Magpie wasn’t developing normally but despite Hazel’s tests, the cause was never really clear. Old Violet had delivered the baby herself and Hazel suspected there’d been oxygen starvation; whatever the cause of his slowness, Magpie never spoke but remained silent and unfocused, living in his own private world. Leveret had always been his only friend and she hated Jay who was a few years older than her and went around in a gang with her brothers Sweyn and Gefrin. All three were bullies, unchecked by fathers.
    Leveret found a bottle on the dresser and tipped some of the astringent contents onto a piece of rag, holding it against the blue swelling on Magpie’s leg.
    ‘Witch-hazel, Magpie,’ she said. ‘It’ll help the bruising. He didn’t hurt you for taking the milk and bread, did he?’
    Magpie shook his head and started the complex communication he’d developed with Leveret to explain the train of events. She sensed images of Jay returning at night, with the full moon shining, and kicking Magpie. She felt the boy’s pain and bewilderment and clearly saw Jay’s face contorted with sadistic glee.
    ‘He’s horrible, isn’t he? I expect he’d been turned down by a girl – not surprising really. Next Moon Fullness you must stay out of his way. Thank you for the breakfast, Magpie. It was lovely but now I must get home. You can draw the mushrooms next time but don’t leave it too long or they’ll dry up completely. I think they’re the right ones but so many of them look the same. Don’t touch the Book of Shadows when I’m not here, will you Magpie? You’re never, ever to do that.’
    He shook his head solemnly. She’d tried to impress this on him so many times, for the Book was the most precious thing in her life. She knew she’d have to find a new hiding place for it soon, one which Magpie knew nothing about. He just couldn’t be trusted not to touch it or give its presence away if forced. She smiled at him and bent to kiss his cheek. He stood up quickly and engulfed her in a hug. He really did need a bath.
    A thin-lipped Maizie was waiting back at the cottage. Leveret could think of no good reason for her early morning absence so remained obstinately silent, which made her mother even angrier.
    ‘I’m now late for my meeting at the Hall! Yul will wonder where on earth I am and you’re late for school. If we hurry now ‘twon’t be so bad but there’s no time for breakfast so don’t even think about it.’
    Leveret wasn’t. She was plotting how to get hold of some more empty bottles for her potions; there were ways, but she had to be careful. Everything at Stonewylde was used thoughtfully and bottles were a precious commodity.
    ‘Leveret! Come on! You’re day-dreaming again and I haven’t finished with you yet. We’ll talk about it on the way.’
    They left the house and the girl trudged along beside her mother, their two dark curly heads so alike. Maizie’s, greying around the temples now, bobbed and shook as she launched into another tirade about last night’s lateness. Leveret’s remained bowed as the words washed over her. She was grateful that all the younger children were safely tucked up at the Village School, whilst the older ones would already be in assembly in the Galleried Hall, so nobody would see her mother working herself up to a fine lather. A few women at the water pump greeted them as they walked briskly through the cobbled streets of the Village. Mother and daughter hurried on past the Green with its blanket of fallen autumn leaves, past the Jack in the Green pub and the Great Barn and towards the track out of the Village.
    They heard singing coming across from the Village School and Leveret recognised the Samhain songs she’d sung when she was younger. She knew the children would be busy making their papier-mâché crows and skulls ready to hang in the Great Barn in two weeks’ time, and practising