Painting the Blues in Gretna Green by Linzi Day

Author:Linzi Day [Day, Linzi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-04T23:00:00+00:00

The three of us landed back in my kitchen in an untidy heap.

“Sorry, Shay, I knew something felt wrong, and I wanted to get you guys out of there. But I need to go back and see if I can help. Autumn, are you OK?”

“I’m fine, Auntie Nik, but I was enjoying that.”

“I know, baby, I’m sorry. Your mum will explain. Please give Tilly some loves. I’ll be back soon.”

I looked at the clock, 6.52 p.m., and winked at Aysha, hoping she’d understand I’d squeeze time and not worry Autumn. “I’ll be back in time to put her to bed. Dola, take care of them, please.”

I adjusted my bag into a cross-body position. I was going to need my hands free and carefully pictured myself arriving behind the royal family on the dais. Perhaps if I arrived behind the flags, I’d be out of sight. I pictured the scene as Caitlin took over the speech from Breanna and lit the candles in the front row. That should be a minute or two before the chaos exploded. Would it be long enough? I damn well hoped so. Picturing my where and when carefully, I thought GO!

I landed back as the first row of candles was being lit and grabbed Breanna and Finn. To Caitlin, in a low, firm voice, I said, “Grab Juna and both of you hang on to me NOW!”

She didn’t hesitate. Throwing the burning wand at the bonfire, where it landed safely, she found her sister’s arm with one hand and held out her other one to me. But I didn’t have a hand free. I was hanging on to her mother and brother with all my strength. What was wrong with Breanna? She needed to get with the program.

I focused on the queen and, in a firm voice I hoped would cut through her indecision, said, “Wise up. Hold on to whatever part of me you can reach so we can get your children to safety.”

The mention of her children seemed to do the trick. She changed from confused queen into protective parent, stopped struggling and found a handhold on my shoulder. It allowed me to reach out to Caitlin and Juna. “Hold my arm, Juna, right now, please.”

I really hoped this worked. I didn’t know if I could just transport anyone who was touching me, but I couldn’t see another choice. The Book had said I could. Fingers crossed!

I pictured the large, ornately decorated dining hall we’d eaten in last night and thought, GO.

The world went rainbow-coloured.

I landed on the floor, panting for breath and feeling nauseated. I breathed through my nose and fought against the rising tide of Whirly’s kurts and the other treats I’d nibbled as I’d shown Aysha and Autumn around the festival earlier.

Caitlin asked, “What da hell just happened?” And then, looking very green, with no fuss, she headed for the table, grabbed a silver serving dome from the long side table and threw up into it. She cleaned her face with a napkin and walked to the window.

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