‘Feel better now?’
I nodded and tried to smile but I knew it hadn’t worked properly because Ellie suddenly looked worried. ‘I couldn’t help overhearing what you told your mam,’ she said. ‘I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. It’s just because the job’s all new and strange. You’ll soon get used to the work. Anyway, you don’t have to go back right away. After a few days at home you’ll feel better. And you’ll always be welcome here, even when the farm belongs to Jack.’
‘I don’t think Jack’s that pleased to see me.’
‘Why, what makes you say that?’ Ellie asked.
‘He just didn’t seem that friendly, that’s all. I don’t think he wants me here.’
‘Don’t you worry about your big mean brother. I can sort him out easily enough.’
I smiled properly then because it was true. As my mam once said, Ellie could twist Jack round her little finger.
‘What’s mainly bothering him is this,’ Ellie said, smoothing her hand down across her belly. ‘My mother’s sister died in childbirth and our family still talk of it to this day. It’s made Jack nervous, but I’m not bothered at all because I couldn’t be in a better place, with your mam to look after me.’ She paused.
‘But there is something else. Your new job worries him.’
‘He seemed happy enough about it before I went away,’ I said.
‘He was doing that for you because you’re his brother and he cares about you. But the work a spook does frightens people. It makes them uneasy. I suppose if you’d left right away it would probably have been all right. But Jack said that on the day you left, you went straight up over the hill into the wood, and that since then the dogs have been uneasy. Now they won’t even go into the north pasture.
‘Jack thinks you’ve stirred something up. I suppose it all comes back to this,’ Ellie went on, patting her belly gently. ‘He’s just being protective, that’s all. He’s thinking of his family. But don’t worry. It’ll all sort itself out eventually.’
In the end I stayed three days, trying to put on a brave face, but eventually I sensed it was time to go. Mam was the last person I saw before I left. We were alone in the kitchen and she gave my arm a squeeze and told me that she was proud of me.
‘You’re more than just seven times seven,’ she said, smiling at me warmly. ‘You’re my son too and you have the strength to do what has to be done.’
I nodded in agreement because I wanted her to be happy, but the smile slipped from my face just as soon as I left the yard. I trudged back to the Spook’s house with my heart right down in my boots, feeling hurt and disappointed that Mam wouldn’t have me back home.
It rained all the way back to Chipenden, and when I arrived, I was cold, wet and miserable. But as I reached the front gate, to my surprise the latch lifted on its own and the gate swung open without me touching it. It was a sort of welcome, an encouragement to go in, something I’d thought was reserved only for the Spook. I suppose I should have been pleased by that but I wasn’t. It just felt creepy. I knocked at the door three times before I finally noticed that the key was in the lock. As my knocking had brought no response, I turned the key then eased the door open. I checked all the downstairs rooms but one. Then I called up the stairs. There was no answer so I risked going into the kitchen.
There was a fire blazing in the grate and the table was set for one. At its centre was a huge, steaming hotpot. I was so hungry I helped myself and had almost polished off the lot when I saw the note under the saltshaker.
Gone east to Pendle. It’s witch trouble, so I’ll be away for some time. Make yourself at home but don’t forget to pick up this week’s provisions. As usual, the butcher has my sack, so go there first.
Pendle was a big fell, almost a mountain really, far to the east of the County. That whole district was infested with witches and was a risky place to go, especially alone. It reminded me again of how dangerous the Spook’s job could be.
But at the same time I couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed. All that time waiting for something to happen, then the moment I’m away the Spook goes off without me!
* * *
I slept well that night but not so deeply that I failed to hear the bell summoning me to breakfast. I went downstairs on time and was rewarded with the best plate of bacon and eggs I’d eaten in the Spook’s house. I was so pleased that, just before leaving the table, I spoke out loud, using the words that my dad said every Sunday after lunch.
‘That was really good,’ I said. ‘My compliments to the cook.’
No sooner had I spoken than the fire flared up in the grate and a cat began to purr. I couldn’t see a cat but the noise it was making was so loud that I’ll swear the windowpanes were rattling. It was obvious that I’d said the right thing.
So, feeling right pleased with myself, I set off for the village to pick up the provisions. The sun was shining out of a blue, cloudless sky, the birds were singing and after the previous day’s rain the whole world seemed bright and gleaming and new.
I started at the butcher’s, collected the Spook’s sack, moved on to the greengrocer’s and finished at the baker’s. Some village lads were leaning against the wall nearby. There weren’t as many as last time and their leader, the big lad with the neck like a bull’s, wasn’t with them. Remembering what the Spook had said, I walked straight up to them. ‘I’m sorry about last time,’ I said, ‘but I’m new and didn’t understand the rules properly. Mr Gregory said that you can have an apple and a cake each.’ So saying, I opened the sack and handed each lad just what I’d promised. Their eyes opened so wide that they almost popped out of their sockets and each muttered his thanks. At the top of the lane someone was waiting for me. It was the girl called Alice, and once again she was standing in the shadow of the trees as if she didn’t like the sunlight.
‘You can have an apple and a cake,’ I told her.
To my surprise she shook her head. ‘I’m not hungry at the moment,’ she said. ‘But there’s something that I do want. I need you to keep your promise. I need some help.’
I shrugged. A promise is a promise and I remembered making it. So what else could I do but keep my word?
‘Tell me what you want and I’ll do my best,’ I replied.