Woodlington

Chapter 19 - Home Again

"This is big," said Jessie, her brow furrowed in thought.

The house was behind them now, and they were making their way through the open woodland towards the alley.

"Did she mean what I think she did," asked Alex. "About the art he uses?"

"Necromancy? Yeah, reckon so. Not sure how we're going to get round that one."

Her face became glum.

"Abby's gonna kill me."

"Why?"

"Cause we'll have to tell them where we've been. This is too important."

"What about Whiskey's caravan?"

Jessie thought for a moment.

"No, we'll keep that to ourselves. If we don't, they might think we made the whole thing up."

Alex was relieved. If the adults took over now, and it was a sure bet they would, it meant there'd still be something for her and Jessie to do.

"Oh, about back there," she muttered, feeling herself redden.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I lost it."

Jessie shook her head.

"Hey, don't think you were alone. I felt like crying myself."

She gave a shudder.

"It wasn't as much fun as I thought it'd be."

They fell silent as the hedges reared in front of them, and then they were hemmed in, making their way single file through the dark alley.

When they emerged onto Peddler's Hill, Alex was surprised to find it deserted again.

"Is the fair finished then?" she asked, glancing around.

"Yeah, they've set a curfew. Everyone has to be inside by midnight."

"Even the adults?"

"Yup. Except those who're on patrol duty."

After the atmosphere of Moonlight Mansion, an empty Peddlers Hill no longer seemed unsettling. The bowls were still burning, and without the witches, the walk was quiet and peaceful.

It gave them time to think.

But for Alex, thinking led to worrying, and before she knew it, she was once again troubled.

"Come on," sighed Jessie at last. "Out with it. What's the matter?"

Making for the nearest bench, they sat.

"It's my dad."

"Your dad?" said Jessie in surprise. "What about him?"

"I'm worried he might be a ghost."

"Oh."

Jessie was silent for a moment.

"Is he dead then?"

"That's the problem," said Alex, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know. He disappeared when I was six."

"What?"

Feeling wretched, Alex nodded.

"Yeah, Mum won't talk about it. He was lost at sea, so it's pretty unlikely he's alive."

Smiling tentatively, Jessie patted her leg.

"He's not a ghost Alex."

"How do you know?"