Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr by Holly Bell (i like reading .TXT) 📗

it’s reasonable to conclude that magic must be involved. But why would a child choose to travel back to such a dreadful time? Anyway, yes, I expect that’s what it is: magic. Uncle Mike’ll probably get to the time travel thing in due course.’

‘If the family are magical, though,’ pondered Trelawney, ‘what is their gift? If they have one. The Flamgoynes have divination, the Cardiubarns spell-weaving and the Cadabras levitation. We don’t know what the Dowrkampyers’ was. What is Lucy’s family’s magical talent?’

‘As you say, if they have one. Hm ... maybe they each have a different one. After all, we’ve only heard from Elodie so far.’

‘Yes. Perhaps we’ll hear from the others in the next instalment. How’s the tea?’

Amanda had a sip. ‘Just right, thank you.’

‘Feeling any better?’ Trelawney asked gently.

‘Yes. Thank you for waking me. Sorry to have disturbed your sleep.’

‘Not at all. It was what Mike wanted me here for. I’m certain of it.’

‘Well,’ Amanda blushed, ‘sorry about the, er, hug.’

‘No. I hugged you. Medicinal,’ he grinned.

That drew a chuckle from her. ‘I like that. Medicinal hugs.’

Tempest jumped onto her lap and curled up.

‘I see your constant companion didn’t think of waking you up,’ remarked Trelawney.

At that Tempest opened one livid eye and thought, why have a dog and bark yourself?

The words echoed in Thomas’s head. He decided he had imagined them, and said to Amanda,

‘Shall I tell you about where I’m planning to take you one morning?’

‘I’d like that.’

‘It’s the stretch of beach where I like to run as often as I can, especially when I need to think. Dazzling at sunrise. The colours on the sand at the edge of the tide. The fleet going out. Oh ....’ he stopped in consternation.

‘What?’

‘Well ... the fleet.’

Amanda made a shrewd guess.

‘Oh, your family’s boats will be there too?’

‘Yes. The Trelawneys en masse don’t know you’re here,’ Trelawney explained.

‘How come? Hasn’t word got round?’ asked Amanda the village girl, in surprise.

‘This isn’t Sunken Madley.’

‘Your father hasn’t told them then?’ She knew how these things worked.

‘No, he’s left that to me and you ... if you wish but ....’

‘Yes, I know,’ Amanda responded sympathetically, ‘they’ll be sending out the wedding invitations.’

Trelawney laughed. ‘A bit more subtle than that. But I can head them off if I see them first, and explain the new job and our status as colleagues and friends. I hope.’

‘Of course: colleagues and friends. I’m sure they must be used to you having those.’

‘Meanwhile, we’ll position ourselves circumspectly on the shore.’

‘Good thinking,’ Amanda approved.

She finished her tea and sighed contentedly. ‘I’m fine now. Really.’

‘Could you sleep?’

‘Yes.’

‘Just knock on the wall if you need me.’

‘Thank you. Thank you for waking me and staying here, and I’ll thank Uncle Mike for thinking of it. I’m usually very good. I mean, I’m used to being by myself even with bad dreams,’ she offered apologetically.

‘These are exceptional circumstances,’ Trelawney replied fairly.

‘Agreed.’

‘Come on, back to bed then. We can wash up these cups in the morning. I’ll see to the fire and the heating.’

‘Thank you. Good night, Inspector.’

‘Good night, Miss Cadabra. Sleep well.’

Chapter 18

Money and Magic

A lie-in, beach and sofa day seemed in order. Hogarth’s story and the subsequent nightmare had shaken Amanda more than she had admitted. It was windy outside. Somehow it helped, until her ears got cold and she retreated to the cottage sitting-room. But Amanda was restless, getting up to make tea or go and stare at the sea, inconveniencing Tempest who was trying to get a decent afternoon’s sleep in on her lap.

It was only to be expected that, with Amanda less than her usual buoyant self, there would be visitors.

‘Now then, bian,’ said Grandpa comfortingly, appearing beside her on the sofa, holding a mug of tea, and calling her by his pet name for her: Cornish for baby. ‘No need to get yourself all het up.’

‘Oh, Grandpa, I’m glad you’re here. It’s all so confusing. I can’t see how I am to do what Uncle Mike seems to want.’

‘I don’t think you’re supposed to see yet. That’s the whole point of a story. Each bit makes you want to know the next.’

‘Michael Hogarth can’t help himself. It’s the suppressed thespian in him,’ declared Granny, sitting opposite, with a china cup and saucer.

‘Hello, Granny. Do you know what this story is all about?’

‘No, Ammee dear, your grandfather and I had departed Cornwall some time before these events.’

‘You never mentioned the Dowrkampyers, though.’

‘No reason to: an insignificant little upstart tribe,’ replied Senara, brushing a speck of dust from her shoulder.

Actually, reflected Amanda, Granny hadn’t mentioned anything about anything in Cornwall. Apart from telling her not to go there without her grandparents.

‘It’s like this, flower,’ Grandpa began. ‘Remember when you were learning how to use that new blowtorch? And I told you to read through the instructions, and you kept saying you knew what to do?’

Amanda smiled. ‘I remember, but you were right to insist.’

‘So think of this tale as the instructions. Once you get right to the end, you’ll know what to do next.’

‘All right, Grandpa.’

He was silent for a moment, stirring his tea.

‘Except ... one thing I will say, Ammee ....’

‘Yes?’

‘I don’t think this is a thinking thing. I think it’s a feeling thing. I mean you’ll have to feel your way to the next step or stage opening up to you. It’s not like a game of chess.’

‘Oh. I think I see what you mean.’

‘So going over and over it, is to no purpose,’ stated Granny firmly. ‘You don’t have all of the data, but you are beginning to feel for the people involved. A good start. Now. Put