deal with that and use an accountancy firm from Outside. But the profits must be enormous – the materials are home grown, labour’s free, even our electricity comes from the wind farms, so profits must be almost a hundred per cent. But where’s all the money going?’
‘Yul’s always said money’s needed to maintain the status quo and how much we must buy in, as we aren’t truly self-sufficient. Things like toothbrushes and glasses and school books, and Outside clothes and shoes for the students at college too. Fuel for the coach, the vehicles and the tractors, and the telephone bill. The computers in the Hall – you know all the senior students over fourteen have their own. And university fees! That’s where money’s needed.’
‘Yes but not the thousands and thousands that must be made every year from selling our things. Stonewylde.com has grown into a really big enterprise, you know. I worry about it and I think after Imbolc I’m going to find out a bit more.’
‘Be careful, Sylvie – don’t fight with Yul again. You seem happier at the moment and I assume things are better between the two of you?’
‘Yes,’ smiled Sylvie, a look of contentment creeping across her face. ‘Things seem to be on the mend. But this is something different, Mum – I won’t have people exploited.’
‘Alright, darling – just don’t go upsetting the applecart. You know what Yul’s like.’
‘I do, and he’ll have to accept what I’m like too.’
Over on the other side of the Barn, Leveret sat with her mother trying to keep her stitches small and neat, but too aware of the dull ache deep inside her to concentrate well. She’d started off sitting with a group of her contemporaries, but their excited chatter about Imbolc in just a few days’ time had filled her with burgeoning dread and she’d moved over to be with Maizie. She was terrified of the forthcoming ceremonies and not as ecstatic about being chosen as Bright Maiden as everyone assumed her to be. The other girls were very envious and many had wondered why a strange-looking, quiet girl like Leveret had been chosen. Traditionally, the role went to someone very pretty and bubbly. Some who’d seen her at the Outsiders’ Dance understood that Leveret was beautiful, in a slightly outlandish way, but generally it was thought she’d only been chosen because she was Yul’s sister.
Leveret felt hostility amongst some of the girls; Faun in particular gave her antagonistic looks from across the floor. Faun was one of the younger girls there and enjoyed sitting with older girls and feeling special. Leveret had never liked her – Faun was spoilt and indulged and seemed to think she was something above everyone else. Leveret had always found her bland face and long, plump limbs unattractive and her petulance irritating.
Leveret hunched on the stool hugging herself and wishing the cramps would ease off. She’d feel a lot better by the evening but that didn’t help her now. She had to speak to Maizie about the evening ahead, hoping to catch her mother in a good mood. Leveret had asked Clip’s advice about the Dark Moon. It was special to her and she wasn’t sure if she should cast another circle again and raise the energy, hoping to contact Mother Heggy, or whether that was best left alone for a while. Clip had been tentative in his advice.
‘I’m not a Dark Moon person,’ he’d said, ‘so I don’t really know. I’ve always felt an affinity with the Moon Fullness, like my mother Raven and my daughter Sylvie, and it’s when I journey best. The Dark Moon’s a mystery to me – it’s a different sort of magic and not what I’m in tune with. You must have an affinity with the Moon Fullness too, Leveret. I’m still amazed how successful our Wolf Moon journey was. It can take months, if not years, to make contact with your spirit guide, let alone make a full journey. You have the gift, you truly do. I felt it that day up at the stone on the hill when you passed out but I hadn’t appreciated just what potential you have.’
Clip had promised to speak discreetly to Maizie about their working together, and had also agreed not to bring up the incident about the apple barrel again. Clip knew he must handle this carefully as Maizie wouldn’t approve of anything that whiffed of magic, not after the trouble with Yul and Mother Heggy’s prophecies. And