Chapter 39
SOPHIA
I came up with a plan instantly; the second I walked out of his room and closed the door after putting everything back exactly the way I’d found it.
There was no way I was going to be able to steal my dad’s keys from him without him finding out, so it was pointless in attempting to do so.
No, I had to come up with a better plan, so I asked if I could join him at the village council meeting instead later the next day.
His immediate answer was a resounding no.
I was too young and I didn’t need to concern myself with the village goings on until I was older and out of school. No children were allowed.
Fine. Whatever.
Plan B.
I would follow him there instead, then sneak in and listen. Yes, the book held vital information, but listening to a real live council meeting would be like striking gold.
A monthly village meeting was held at the town hall for all the residents to come and share their opinions, thoughts, feelings on whatever was happening.
It was also where my dad could share any news and updates regarding building works, family fun days, and general all-round information.
Coffee and cake were provided and everyone had a lovely time.
Then there were the weekly gatherings, which only my dad and a select few committee members attended.
Why they needed a separate meeting, outside of the monthly one, I was yet to understand.
The thing about the weekly council meetings was that they changed location every week.
Not like the monthly one, which stayed the same.
It was a secret that apparently only a select few were allowed to know.
Black coat and hat donned, I kept my distance on my bike as he walked through the village, meeting and greeting the community.
Some shook his hand. Others merely nodded.
My father was a well-respected man and people looked to him for advice and guidance.
When my brother died and Mum left, the whole community gathered around him and ensured he had everything he needed.
No one cared about me. As long as my dad was okay.
He always told me it was an honour to be a part of the Hammel family; an honour we had to uphold no matter what (meaning the embarrassment of having a past family member end their own life, even if it was almost a century ago).
Eventually, my father moved away from the busy street and into a small side alley. I parked my bike and waited a moment before popping my head around the corner, catching a glimpse of his back disappearing through a door at the end.
Checking behind me, I ducked into the alley and approached the door.
There was no way for me to enter the building that way, but perhaps there was a window further round the side where I could climb through.
I checked, but there was nothing, so I had to return to the door and keep my fingers crossed that the meeting wouldn’t be held directly behind it.
The building was part of a main shop, but I’d never been round the back before.
The door wasn’t locked, so I pushed it open as gently as I could, keeping my ears pricked for any sounds. There were voices emanating from somewhere in the building, but not close enough to warrant a panic.
I found myself a small alcove down a hallway, outside of another door where I thought the meeting was being held.
I was hidden enough that if anyone entered from the direction I’d come from, they wouldn’t notice me.
It wasn’t ideal, but there wasn’t anywhere else I could go where I could still hear what was going on.
I held my breath, worried I might be heard because my heart was beating so hard and fast, but the chatter and laughter from behind the door was so loud, I needn’t have feared. Some of the voices I recognised.
Diane Bevan. Her laughter could be heard from a mile away. Unmistakably her.
William Davies. The local butcher who always added an extra sausage into the bag whenever I bought some for dad to cook for dinner.
He was also the guy who’d given me a fright that evening at the tree.
Strange how on one hand he could be so nice towards me, and then scare me half to death while attempting to deliver a message.
I wondered what the message was about and whether it had anything to do with the note my dad had read, and then drunk himself into a coma over.
I strained to hear any other voices, but they blended together too much for me to pick them out. I didn’t think there were any more people. Just the three of them. But above them all was my dad’s voice. Commanding. Direct.
‘Thank you all for coming. Let’s sit.’
‘Hang on,’ said William Davies. ‘Where’s our fourth?’
‘She’s on her way,’ replied my dad. Ah, so they were expecting someone else.
‘Is everything ready?’ asked Diane.
A long silence followed.
‘You know it needs to be done,’ William finally said.
‘She’s just a kid.’
‘She may be, but she’s the only one who can finally break the curse. Don’t forget, Frank, it can only be a member of the Hammel family. Unless you’d like to volunteer?’
‘I know but …’
I didn’t hear anything else because a shadow loomed over me and I stared up at the face of the woman I assumed they were waiting for. Their fourth. Holy shit. It was Ceri Griffiths.
‘You’re not supposed to be here, young lady,’ she said.
I stood up, acting much braver than I felt. ‘I was just …’
‘Never mind. It looks like we’ll have to bring our plans forward.’
My eyes widened as she lunged forward and grabbed hold of my hair, tugging me towards the door. She shoved it open, then pushed me through it. I shrieked as I tumbled to the floor in front of my dad, who froze on the spot.
‘I tried to warn you, Cariad,’ he said as tears filled his eyes.