hurt and Leveret’s heart ached for him. He panicked sometimes and she worried that if there were more incidents like the one today he might one day turn and lash out at someone, and then be blamed for that as well.
They went back to the Hall at lunchtime because poor Magpie’s stomach was rumbling so badly, but rather than face the mass of people in the Dining Hall, Leveret took him through the walled kitchen gardens and straight to the kitchens. Yul had taken her as a small child to visit Marigold when Maizie and Miranda had spent so many hours interminably discussing their new-found leadership. Marigold was one of the few at Stonewylde who actually liked the odd dark-haired girl, but her plump face crumpled in disapproval at the sight of Magpie on the door step in his filthy coat.
‘No, Leveret, I’m sorry my love but I’m not having him in the kitchens.’
‘But Marigold, he’s starving!’
‘I’ll give him some food but he must eat it outside. He’s crawling with dirt and goddess knows what else.’
‘He can’t help it. Everyone’s so cruel to poor Magpie and it’s not his fault. He’s the gentlest, sweetest person I know.’
‘I’m sure he is, dear, but he’s not coming in my kitchens.’
She brought a great plate of rabbit pie, potatoes, vegetables and gravy to the door, and a spoon, remembering that he had trouble with any other sort of cutlery.
‘You’re wonderful, Marigold – thank you. He told me you’re kind to him when he’s working in the kitchen gardens and that you feed him sometimes.’
‘That’s right, dear. Poor mite – he always looks so lost and hungry. But he didn’t tell you that, surely? He’s mute.’
‘Sign language,’ she said quickly. ‘We use sign language.’
Marigold shook her head at this.
‘I’d have thought that were beyond the poor boy. Still, he trusts you and you’re a kind maid. I do look out for him and I will whenever I can. I feel sorry for the lad, all filthy and frightened and no one to care for him. Makes me wish I could take him under my wing and clean him up, teach him how to live proper. That mother of his is a really nasty piece o’ work, and as for them two old crones …’
She broke off and fearfully made the sign of the pentangle on her chest.
‘Just look what they done to my Lily’s son! Jay’s turned out bad, just like his father and ‘tis all their doing. If Magus’d let me look after that little boy from the start, when my poor Lily were murdered, Jay would’ve grown up very different. But oh no, not Magus. “Marigold,” he says, “you’re needed here in the Hall kitchens. I can’t lose you just to bring up a little boy when he has another granny about.” Well! If that’s not—’
‘Thanks again!’ said Leveret cheerfully, taking the laden plate across the courtyard to where Magpie sat waiting patiently. Marigold was kind, but she was also infamous for her moaning sessions about the loss of her grandson Jay to her rival Vetchling.
Later Leveret braved the Hall, knowing her rudeness wouldn’t go unpunished. First she had to face Miranda, who was still furious. Leveret adopted her usual tactic of sullen silence, refusing to apologise or try to make amends. She knew she was in the right and saw any kind of climb-down as tantamount to condoning Miranda’s treatment of Magpie. Her punishment was work detail every night at the Hall for a week. The boarding students had work detail only twice a week so this was a harsh punishment, especially as Miranda said she’d make sure the work was nothing easy.
‘Window cleaning, grate polishing, stone floor scrubbing – I shall make sure Cherry gives you the hardest jobs. I am very, very angry with you for your rudeness, Leveret. You know our fundamental laws as well as anyone, and children don’t ever behave so rudely towards their elders. To show such contempt and insolence towards me, especially in front of the whole school, was unforgivable.’
Leveret was pleased that Miranda felt she’d lost face, and still felt perfectly justified.
‘I think it’s unforgivable the way Magpie’s treated,’ she retorted.
‘Oh come now, Leveret – I was trying to make light of the situation in assembly. I could see he was becoming distressed and I was —’
‘No!’ cried Leveret. ‘It’s more than that. Nobody cares about him! Nobody makes sure he has enough to eat or looks after him! I’m sick of everyone