Secrets of the Frostbound Cottage (Witchlight Magical Mysteries)

9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

When I finally reached Little Rollright, it was a less than ideal time to start an investigation. Firstly, it was the middle of the night; secondly, I had no idea where I was going or what I was looking for, and thirdly, I was absolutely knackered.

The puppy had done her best to remain awake, struggling to keep her eyes open as if she were forcing herself to stay up for my sake.

Knowing I’d probably miss more than I’d notice in my current state, I pulled into a lay-by, cut the engine and pushed my seat all the way back. A couple of hours’ kip would make all the difference. My eyes had barely closed when I drifted off.

It was the sound of bird calls that finally stirred me from my sleep. As I gave a long yawn, I was surprised by how well I’d slept. Normally, my dreams were filled with images, flashbacks to when my grandmother had arrived in town and ruined my whole life. Often I awoke because of my own screaming, or the screams of the other people who had been there that night. But as I breathed in another long yawn, I realised I hadn’t suffered from any of that last night and I actually felt refreshed, although unusually heavy.

As I opened my eyes, I saw why. The puppy was curled up asleep in my lap and somehow my arms were wrapped around her, as if I’d been cuddling her all night. Her warmth flowed through me and a tide of positive emotion radiated from her little frame directly into me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been surrounded by such affirmative feelings – and I hadn’t realised how much I’d needed it. No wonder I’d slept so well.

For years I’d convinced myself that the occasional flashes of gratitude from clients or students were all the reassurance I needed. But feeling this? This – dare I say it – love , directed so openly at me, made it hard to believe I’d been right.

She was definitely a great cuddle buddy but I shouldn’t – couldn’t – get attached, even if she was the reason for my most perfect night’s sleep in years.

‘Come on, you,’ I said softly. ‘We’ve got work to do. And do you know what a good work day starts with? Breakfast.’

Popping her back onto the passenger seat, I reached into the back of the car and pulled out my go bag. Together with the deodorant can and clothes, I had a fair supply of snacks including several breakfast bars. They were hardly the most nutritious start to the day but they filled a hole.

As I opened the wrapper, two eyes stared up at me eagerly. ‘Don’t worry, this one’s for you,’ I promised. ‘I’ve got another.’

I handed her the unwrapped cereal bar, hoping that there was nothing in it a dog couldn’t eat, then took out a second one for myself. Within two minutes, we’d both polished off our meals and it was time to get to work. I’d have to pick up some proper dog food soon.

‘We need to start by finding these Rollright Stones,’ I said to her, as if she could understand me. ‘See if we can find any clues there.’

What clues might elves leave behind? My mind came up empty. I didn’t know anything about them, though there was one person I suspected who would do: Yanni, my best friend’s grandmother. She had raised Maddie and taken me in after my parents had died, and she had been the cornerstone of my life in Witchlight Cove even before I was orphaned.

No one in the world commanded my respect like Yanni did. But, like every part of my past in Witchlight Cove, I’d left her and Maddie behind. I’d needed to because what my grandmother had done hadn’t just affected me, it had affected so many people in our magical community. I hadn’t been able to cope with that burden any longer, which was one of the reasons I’d run away. The other reason was the cloying memories that were too much to bear.

I did my best to shove down those memories and focus on the present. It had been an age since I’d last spoken to Yanni but I knew she would still pick up when I called. That was who she was.

I tried to ignore the slight tremble in my fingers as I hit dial.

She answered almost instantly. ‘Bea?’ Her voice, crackly yet warm, came down the line. It was clear from her muffled tone that I’d just woken her.

‘Oh crap! Sorry, I didn’t check what time it was!’ I apologised, glancing at the car clock to discover it wasn’t quite 6am. ‘Did I wake you up?’ Of course I had. ‘I’m sorry. Go back to sleep. I’ll ring you later.’

‘Don’t be silly, Beatrix.’ The sound of her voice was like catching the scent of home on a breeze. ‘It was time I got up anyway, and you know you can ring me whenever you need me, day or night. Is everything all right? Are you coming back home?’

It was the question I hated the most and the reason I hardly spoke to my best friend, Maddie; it was always the first thing she asked and I dreaded it. My throat tightened.

‘Not just yet,’ I said finally when I knew my distress wouldn't sound in my voice. ‘I just wanted to ask you something. I’m on this magical case to do with elves. Do you know much about them?’

‘Elves?’ Her tone dropped slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was disappointment in my answer or something else, but I didn’t have the headspace to unpick it.

‘Well, they’re sticklers for balance, that’s for sure, they believe chaos and order must exist in harmony. You know, yin and yang stuff,’ she said eventually. ‘We used to have a family in Witchlight Cove. They came … oh, twenty or thirty years ago now, wanting a change of pace, I think. Six of them, a lovely family, but I think it was the grandmother who got sick, or something like that, so they had to leave. They wanted to be back with the rest of their kin. If I remember correctly, they wouldn’t even try to use any of the local healers.’

‘So they have close-knit families?’ I asked, thinking of Orla.

‘Very close-knit,’ Yanni replied. ‘They liked to keep themselves to themselves. I think it was timidity more than anything. They were quite fearful of things, even in Witchlight Cove.’

Strong family unit. Fearful. That tallied with what I already knew about Orla. ‘What about their magic?’ I pressed. ‘I know it’s related to trees and plants.’

‘Oh yes, they have a wonderful link to nature. You should’ve seen the flowers they grew! Any season, winter or spring, it didn’t matter. I remember them growing bluebells in a field of snow once.’ Her voice was wistful as she recalled better times.

‘That must have been something.’ I was about to ask another question when I was interrupted by a high-pitched bark from my canine companion.

‘Is that a dog?’ Yanni said, a smile in her voice. ‘Have you got yourself a dog?’

‘It’s … complicated.’ I turned to shush the puppy but stopped short when I saw her little black nose pressed against the window as she stared at the fields beyond.

A field of bright pink orchids. Orchids. Outside. In England. In March.

‘Sorry, Yanni, I’ve got to go,’ I said quickly. ‘I think I’ve found something. Thank you for your help. Send Maddie my love.’

‘I will, but please ring her, Beatrix. She misses you so much.’

‘I will,’ I lied, guilt clawing at my chest.

Thankfully, the guilt and the heartbreaking memories were easier to push down when I was working. I was fully aware that it was wrong for a teeny part of me to be thankful that I currently had a case.

Because this one was a doozy.