An old diary is given to the new owners of a house in Cambria, California. Designed by famous architect Julia Morgan, it has some oddities - including a spiral staircase in the backyard, leading to nowhere. What they discover involves old Welsh magi...
Before I sat down, I inhaled a slice of Bara Brith, sipped some cider and picked up Berthe's Diary.
"In spite of her grumblings, my Lillian reads quite well, don't you think?" asked Anne, reclaiming one arm of the chair.
"I wish Niall were here," said Scott. "But there's been a rash of fires and animal attacks this week. Usually, volunteers are good backup when the CFD needs help, but lately it's been all hands on deck. Fires are one thing, but animal attacks happen too soon for County Animal Control to respond in a timely manner."
"That's odd," Rita said. "What kind of animals? Bears have never been a problem."
"Well, yesterday Niall said there'd been three dogs killed in the Dog Park near Santa Rosa Creek, and the Parks Department has temporarily closed both of the Fiscalini Preserves. The dogs had been...Oh! Emily, you silly cat, you near scared me to death," said a breathless Faye. Emily claimed her lap and began to purr.
"As mom was saying," Scott continued, "the dogs had been, well, they looked like something had torn them to pieces. One poor fireman couldn't stop retching, and Niall sent him home."
"I'd say that sounds more like mountain lions," I comment, "except that the mountains are too far away. Any footprints?"
"Yeah. Small, child-like bare feet. The CFD is baffled." Scott sighed.
Alwyn jumps onto my lap, and unceremoniously digs his claws into my thigh. He taps the diary with his other paw.
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I scanned a few lines ahead and decided that it would be best for all involved if I stopped the reading. They knew about Gwen going through the doorway – but that could be due to her Teg heritage. The next paragraph spoke about Bertha and Olivia going through the doorway into Conwy. That was something I didn't yet feel comfortable reading out loud – at least not until Anne and I knew what the end result would be.
"Why'd you stop?" asked Faye.
"If you're tired of reading, I can read," volunteered Rita.
Emily leapt off Faye's lap and ran to the front door. She winked at me and proceeded to howl.
"Well, it looks as if she's made up her mind," laughed Scott.
"I'm really sorry," I yawned, "But it's been a very busy, singularly crazy weekend and I simply can't stay up any longer." I gave each one a good night kiss on the cheek as they filed outside and into their cars.
"Are you really that tired?" asked Anne, coming up behind me and rubbing my shoulders.
"Heck, no! We need to finish Bertha's chapter! But I want to keep anything else regarding those doors on the stairway quiet – for now at least. Put the coffee on, and I'll let you read."
