The Bonehill Curse Read Online Free PDF

Ness told herself, hugging the pillow. ‘Don’t you dare cry.’
     
    Ness awoke to the pitch and roll of the barge. Daylight filtered in through the hatch above her. The smell of tar and the sea filled her nostrils – she could almost taste them. She glanced around the tiny, cluttered cabin. Charts spread across the table lay pinned down by pewter mugs, lanterns and books. Boxes filled one corner, stacked and leaning perilously over the table. It was a wonder everything didn’t come crashing down. There among the clutter sat the bottle. Unstoppered. Accusing her.
    Her body ached and a deep sadness seemed to weigh her down. On a stool by the bed lay a pile of clothes. She moved slowly, dragging the clothes on. The thick woollen skirts and jumper were a little musty and moth-eaten but they felt warm. A pair of small boots with a hole in the soles stood next to the stool. With one of Carr’s thick jackets pulled over her, she clambered up the ladder to the deck.
    It was a bright day but the breeze chilled her. The river stretched off into the horizon as the barge skipped across the water, rust-red sails snapping in the wind. Ness listened to the creak of wood and rope and the hiss of the river as the vessel cut through the water. Jacob Carr stood at the helm and a small, angry-looking man scurried about securing ropes and pulling on the tarpaulin that covered the cargo on deck.
    ‘Mornin’, Miss Bonehill.’ Carr smiled. ‘I hope you’re feelin’ better.’
    ‘Yes, thank you, Mr Carr, considering all that happened last night,’ Ness said, shivering.
    ‘You found the clothes I left for you?’ Jacob said. ‘The last of my daughter Susan’s gear. A bit old now but they’ll do the job.’
    ‘They’re very . . . warm,’ she said with a weak smile.
    Something in his open manner made Ness want to share what had happened. She found herself telling Jacob Carr everything, even about the bottle and the djinn in her strange dream. It all came out in a torrent, every detail. Carr listened, his face impassive.
    Finally Ness gave a sigh. ‘It all sounds so fantastical. You probably think I’m mad.’
    Carr shook his head. ‘I’ve plied these ’ere waters for long enough to know there’s more to the world than what’s in front of you. I only hope Morris is faring well. He knows how to look after himself though. Manny and I ’ave seen some rare old sights in the past, eh, Manny?’
    Ness turned with a start. The angry-looking man had been standing closer to her than she’d realised.
    He gave a snort. ‘Cursed, she is,’ he snapped, his steely blue eyes glaring at her from under bushy eyebrows. ‘Watch her.’ He stalked off, tugging at a few ropes as he passed them.
    Ness stared after him. ‘Cursed?’ she murmured. ‘What did he mean by that?’
    ‘Don’t mind Manny.’ Carr grinned. ‘He don’t mean no harm. Just a touch melodramatic, that’s all. We once rescued a young girl, just like you, from the water and Manny was all for throwin’ her back. Reckoned she was a mermaid.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Besides, you’re wearing a pair of his old boots so he doesn’t think you’re all bad. We’ll have you back safe with your parents in no time.’
    Ness nodded. When they heard what had happened perhaps her parents would be so relieved she was unharmed that everything would be all right between them again. And what if the djinn had granted her wish? They would welcome her with open arms, surely!
    The morning wore on and Ness watched the distant riverbanks float by. She tried not to wonder what was happening at Rookery Heights or where Morris was, so she concentrated instead on the hissing and splashing around the bow of the barge. At one point Ness glanced behind her and felt a chill. In the distance, to their starboard side, a triangular sail fluttered.
    ‘Mr Carr,’ she called up the barge, ‘what kind of boat is that?’
    Jacob squinted at the sail in the distance. ‘Can’t rightly say,’ he