‘I’d have thought Martin already knew all the news.’
‘Oh he does. Let’s say, we pool our knowledge. Well, I must be off. Bye, Magpie – keep up the drawing.’
When he’d gone, Leveret gazed at the door thoughtfully.
‘I don’t know if he’s alright or not,’ she said. ‘He isn’t as bad as Jay, is he? But they’re friends and I’m just not sure about him.’
Magpie shook his head and she ruffled his clean, golden hair.
‘You’re not sure about anyone, are you? But you’ll learn to trust people, I promise you, and I’ll still be looking after you. That’s what I’m off to do now.’
When she left the Hall, Leveret turned up the narrow path that led towards the cliff but branched off before she got that far and made her way to Mother Heggy’s cottage. She hadn’t been here since the day before the Solstice when she’d rushed in to collect the Death Cap mushrooms. She looked around the tiny place wishing that she could do it up properly. The dried mushrooms and herbs hung rather forlornly from the low rafters, and everywhere was layered with dust and cobwebs. Leveret decided she’d come up one day soon and really tidy it up.
But now she had something else to do. Making sure the door was securely shut, she went over to the hearth which took up most of one wall and climbed into the empty grate. Ducking down, she positioned herself under the chimney and reached up. Her groping hands found the alcove, up high inside, and she carefully retrieved the heavy Book of Shadows. She blew the dust and cobwebs off the piece of thick, waxed linen wrapped around it, and took it over to the ancient table where she opened it up and started to leaf through the pages.
As always when she touched the Book, Leveret felt a dark excitement race through her body. She also felt Mother Heggy’s ghostly breath on the back of her neck and she began to horripilate, rubbing her arms to stop the goose-flesh.
‘Blessings, Mother Heggy. Thank you for giving me the wrong mushrooms and for sending Clip to find us.’
There was no answer of course but some dried leaves by the door drifted slightly across the stone flagged floor, making a soft, whispery sound.
‘Now I need your help, dear Mother Heggy. I’m going to cast my first circle at the Dark Moon. Bring the magic to me please, Mother Heggy. Bring the dark magic to make my spell work.’
She bent her head and started reading the spell she’d found. This was the one she needed now, not the silly love spell she’d considered trying before. She found much of the writing hard to read for the ink had faded and it was spidery and badly spelt. She was just grateful that Mother Heggy had grown up in the time when Villagers were still taught to read and write, albeit at a basic level, otherwise there’d be no legacy of the crone’s wisdom. Taking a school notebook and pencil from her pocket she began to carefully copy out the words and list of things she needed. She smiled as she worked, feeling truly content. This was what she was born to do.
Leveret’s happiness was short-lived however, for when she returned home to her cottage in the Village, Maizie was waiting for her and dropped a bombshell.
‘Sit down, Leveret. I’ve something to give you.’
Her mother was very excited and Leveret felt intrigued. She guessed it was a Yule present as her mother hadn’t yet given her one but always made something special each year. Last year it had been a beautiful pair of soft mittens knitted with lamb’s wool. She sat back and smiled at her mother, who clumped up the stairs and then came down again slowly.
‘Close your eyes, Leveret!’ she called. ‘Close your eyes and put out your hands … there!’
Leveret opened her eyes and saw a garment of very soft, fine linen dyed a deep ivy evergreen.
‘Can you see what it is? ‘Tis a dress, a very special dress.’
‘It’s lovely, Mother,’ said Leveret in a puzzled voice, trying to sound enthusiastic. Her mother knew she hated dresses. ‘Thank you very much.’
‘No, you don’t realise, Leveret. ‘Tis a party dress to wear to the Oustiders’ Dance tomorrow night!’
Leveret looked up at her mother in horror.
‘But Mother, I’m not going to that!’
‘O’ course you are! Everybody over the age of fourteen is going. Yul told me he’d specially invited you when he