Cursed by Karen Perkins

Author:Karen Perkins [Perkins, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LionheART Publishing House
Published: 2014-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

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15th August 1966 – 7:00 p.m.

Sue opened the door to the cottage to let Ma in. ‘God, what an awful night,’ she said as her mother-in-law entered.

‘God has nowt to do with it, lass. This is Jennet. Good to see thee’s nailed horseshoes on the door, at least thee’s listening now. Has thee a fire lit?’

‘Yes, come through.’

Ma sat in the chair nearest the fire and held her hands and feet to the heat. ‘A glass of stout wouldn’t go amiss.’

‘Here you are, Ma, all ready for you,’ John said, offering a pint of Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout to his mother. ‘Got special supplies in from the Stonehouse.’

‘Good, I’m going to need it.’

‘Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable at Gate House?’

‘Don’t be a fool, boy, she knows it too well, it’s the first place Jennet will look for me when she realises what we’re up to. Did thee get the stone from Wolf Farm?’

‘Here.’ John picked up the stone he’d prised loose from the hearth of Jennet’s old home. ‘Ma . . .’

‘What, Son?’ Ma waited. ‘Spit it out, what’s up?’

‘Have you seen the water level?’

‘Aye.’

‘Well, what do we do?’

‘What does thee think thee bloody does? Swim.’

All three jumped at a flash of lightning and immediate thunderclap.

Ma relaxed into her chair and sipped her stout.

‘Ma?’

‘Give me a minute, Son.’ She closed her eyes. ‘Aye, she’s strong all right. This storm? It’s her. She’s watching the valley flood and she loves it. Her curse is coming to pass.’ Ma opened her eyes. ‘We have to do this now, while she’s distracted. Any news from Wilf or Stockdales?’

‘Haven’t heard anything.’

‘Good. We’d know if either had been harmed. She’s forgotten about them – at least for the moment. We can’t waste any time. Pass me my bag, Son. And get ready with that hearthstone.’

John passed her the rucksack and she pulled out a canvas drawstring bag, then the journals.

‘Do you really need all of those?’

‘Hope not, Son. But better to have ’em. Just in case.’

John nodded.

‘Right, thee two, both ready?’

John and Sue nodded.

‘Where’s nipper?’

‘With my sister in York,’ Sue replied.

Ma nodded. ‘Let’s hope that’s far enough. At least we know she’s here.’

‘Stand by with that stone. I’ll tell thee when I’m ready.’ Ma heaved herself to her feet and stood directly in front of the fire, bracing herself against the stone wall before she stood straight and opened her canvas bag.

She pulled out a cloth figure.

‘What the hell’s that, Ma?’

‘A poppet. It’s filled with moors’ peat and heather.’

‘Is that supposed to be Jennet?’ Sue asked.

‘It’s supposed to represent her.’

‘How? It’s just a doll, and a bloody rough one at that,’ John said.

‘Did thee not hear me? It represents her. It has the earth of her home and a slip of paper with her name and family history inside. Now, is thee going to ask me for a lesson or let me get on with this and save thy son?’

No answer.

‘Right then, glad we’ve got that sorted, now hush while I do this.

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