‘Yep.’
‘And failing miserably?’
‘Yep.’
Everyone grinned. I fanned air at my cheeks and scooped up Gladys. At least my trusty sword wasn’t laughing at me.
She hummed loudly. Unbelievable.
Chapter
Nine
With Miriam’s eagle eye watching us, we made it back with almost two whole minutes to spare carrying a vast tray filled with rolls, crispy bacon and enough coffee and tea to satisfy the caffeine needs of a small army.
Rizwan had finished pinning up an enlarged version of the map that Hugo had found in Culcreuch Castle. I gulped down a mug of steaming coffee and gazed at it. There were indeed thirty-two places marked in total and I examined each one: twelve points in Scotland, seven in Wales and the remainder in England.
Each one was neatly numbered, although three of the spots had been scribbled over and different numbers inscribed. It looked to my untrained eye as if they’d been written in old-fashioned ink.
I could easily imagine Athair using a quill to write; the numbers had an antiquated appearance, with little curls and flourishes that wouldn’t have looked out of place on an ancient manuscript. What I couldn’t imagine was what they representedbecause there didn’t appear to be any order to the numbered areas.
Number one was in the Midlands, not far from Birmingham; its closest marker, which was in the countryside less than seventy miles away, was number twenty-nine, while number two was located on the northern fringes of the Scottish coastline. There didn’t appear to be any logic to the system and there was no suggestion as to what each marker represented.
I chewed on my bottom lip as I considered the map, then I drained the dregs of my mug, massaged my neck and wandered to the Bone Zone door.
‘Where are you going?’ Hugo asked.
‘Call of nature,’ I said. The nearest bathroom was only a few metres away; although we’d not yet managed to scour the whole castle a second time to find the intruder, I was doubtful that anyone was still out there. ‘I’d like some privacy for my morning ablutions,’ I added primly. ‘I will shout if anyone is hiding behind the cistern.’
Hugo smiled but his eyes remained serious. ‘Make sure you do.’
I skirted around three of the Primes, who were still in their sleeping bags and munching on their rolls, and headed out.
I checked for any signs of life but unsurprisingly the small bathroom was empty: there were no fiends, bogles, trolls or even spiders lurking inside. I locked the door, emptied my bladder then bent over the sink to wash my hands. I brushed my teeth, splashed my face with water and removed the crusty gunk from my eyes. Given my lack of sleep, I needed all the help I could get to stay alert and sensible.
I dried my skin with a towel and stared at my pale face in the mirror. Before I could start to agonise over the dark shadows under my eyes, I caught sight of a tiny flapping wing in my peripheral vision. For goodness’ sake. Otis wouldn’t havedared to sneak in, so doubtless it was Hester who had slipped underneath the crack in the door.
I groaned slightly. ‘Is it too much to ask for a few minutes’ peace?’ She didn’t answer. ‘Hes?’ Again, she didn’t say anything but I heard the familiar buzz of wings from behind the cabinet that stood against the far wall. ‘Yeah,’ I grumbled. ‘Youshouldhide.’
I expected a sarcastic rejoinder but none was forthcoming. I unlocked the bathroom door and nudged it open with my foot – and then I blinked.
‘See?’ Otis nudged his sister as they hovered in mid-air in the hallway. ‘I told you she wouldn’t be long.’
I stared at them then, without a word, I slowly turned back towards the bathroom and fixed my gaze on the cabinet.
‘Daisy?’ Otis flitted to my shoulder. ‘What’s wrong?’
I licked my lips. ‘Get Hugo,’ I whispered.
Hester was by my other shoulder in an instant. ‘Something’s there? The intruder? I can’t see anyone.’ Her voice started to rise. ‘It’s a ghost, isn’t it? It’s definitely a ghost! Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!’
I raised a hand to hush her; she subsided but I could feel her quivering. ‘Otis, get Hugo, please,’ I repeated.
He took off instantly, rising into the air and darting towards the Bone Zone. I took a step into the bathroom. ‘I know you’re in here,’ I said aloud. ‘You might as well show yourself.’ There was a faint thud from behind the cabinet and Hester squeaked. I hardened my voice. ‘I can use magic and force you out. It’ll be easier if you do this voluntarily.’
I heard hurried footsteps as Hugo appeared beside me looking ready to do battle with any number of evil forces. I put my hand on his forearm and quickly squeezed it, shaking my head to tell him to stay back.
A heartbeat later there was another flicker of movement. When the miniscule figure appeared, all three of us gasped. I’d been right on one account: it was definitely a brownie who had sneaked into the bathroom. It just wasn’t Hester or Otis.
