Page 20 of Destiny of the Witch

‘What did this woman look like?’ Aidan enquired.

‘Well, like I said, old. Very old. And sort of bent over a bit. That’s why I noticed her, because she was so hunched and I thought, “Cassie, that poor old stick’s got osteoporosis for sure. Bet she never took her HRT.” I know, because my Auntie Beryl had terrible bones after she went through the change, bless her. Anyway, she had long white hair, which could have done with a trim if you ask me, or at least tying up somehow. She was wearing a dark skirt and a grey cardigan, and that’s about all I can tell you. Sorry.’

‘You’ve been really helpful,’ I assured her. ‘Thank you so much.’

We ran back down the steps and away from the restaurant’s queue then huddled to discuss this revelation.

‘Do you think we should take this seriously?’ Aidan asked doubtfully. ‘After all, she spotted Zephyr, and claims to have seen this woman, but failed to notice the Guardian trailing them both.’

‘And surely,’ Killian added, ‘Simon would have noticed if an old woman was on the trail, too?’

‘Possibly,’ I said. ‘But if he was focused on Trinity and Zephyr, would he have noticed another person? Especially a harmless-looking old lady.’

‘Well, it’s something new to work on anyway,’ Killian said with a sigh. ‘We should let the others know.’

‘I think we should tell Sirius, Keely and Sky to meet us here,’ I said. ‘Then we should go home, because it’s teatime, and since I hardly ate any of the lunch Castor made us I, for one, am famished. Besides, Sirius needs a break and a meal whether he likes it or not. Emrick will hopefully be back soon, and he might recognise the description. Who knows,’ I added excitedly as the thought occurred to me, ‘maybe this old lady was Sister Agnes?’

‘Good point. And maybe she took exception to someone drawing attention to her. Do you want me to flit up there and tell them?’ Killian offered, nodding across the water to where St Mary’s church stood.

I managed a smile. ‘No need. Keely and I have this other way of communicating.’

‘Oh?’ he raised an eyebrow. ‘And how do you manage that?’

I dug around in my jeans pocket and held up my hand.

‘It’s called a mobile phone.’

Chapter 8

Lowen

As predicted, Sirius didn’t want to return with us, but our combined pleas finally persuaded him he was doing Trinity no favours if he ended up too tired and hungry to help her.

We arrived back in Castle Clair to find Raiden had returned home to be with Aurora, and Star had headed back to Lily Cottage to eat tea with Benedict and her children.

‘Where’s Harley?’ Killian asked immediately.

‘She’s gone to see her mother on the island,’ Iliana explained briefly, ‘and Romy has gone with her.’

She made no mention of Blaise, so we didn’t either. Hector had returned, I noticed, and I thought we’d question him about what had happened on the island later. Right now, there was food to eat, and I couldn’t wait to get started. Iliana had laid out a huge buffet tea for the rest of us and had just been about to zap to Whitby to haul us all home.

‘Darling boy,’ she told Sirius kindly, cradling his face in her hands, ‘I know you’re scared and desperate to find Trinity, but you need to be strong. Skipping meals and walking yourself into the ground isn’t going to help her. Now, get a plate and start eating. Mother’s orders.’

I think Sirius was too exhausted to argue, so instead he did as he was told, which gave the rest of us permission to do the same. We filled our plates and ate hungrily, even though I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to feel guilty, worried that Trinity might be lying hungry somewhere.

We’d almost eaten our fill when Emrick arrived, and we urged him to sit down at once, food forgotten as we clamoured for answers.

He held up his hands. ‘Please, please, just wait a moment. I can’t talk over you all, can I?’

‘Shut yer traps!’ Castor roared, which seemed to do the trick.

‘Thank you,’ Emrick said. He eyed what was left of the buffet and asked, ‘Would you mind?’

‘Help yourself,’ Iliana said immediately. ‘Would you care for a cup of tea?’

Impatiently, we waited while Emrick filled a plate and sipped from his mug of tea. He picked up a sandwich and looked round at us all.

‘The bad news,’ he said, ‘is that Sister Agnes is away right now. She’s gone, er, home, for some rest and relaxation. The good news is she’ll only be away for a few more days and I’ve left a message for her to contact me as soon as she’s back.’

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