Solstice at Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Author:Kit Berry
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 2011-07-06T21:00:00+00:00

12

Sylvie awoke the next morning and stretched in her bed, luxuriating in the knowledge that there were no more lessons to face for a while. The pressure was off. After weeks of being ostracised and ridiculed by her peers, nagged and censured by the adults, ignored by her mother, it was heaven to be spending time with someone who actually appreciated her company and found her delightful. She hopped out of bed eager to start the new day and wore her black outfit again, unable to bear the thought of her scruffy old clothes. Holly had been right – how had she stood looking so awful? What must Magus have thought of her floral skirts, bobbly old jumpers and woolly socks? Hopefully today the courier service would deliver some of the new things they’d ordered. Her heart jumped with excitement at the prospect and she decided to go straight to his rooms now for breakfast. After all, she must keep her side of the deal.

But as Sylvie left the bathroom and made for the door, her mother emerged from her bedroom in a dressing gown. The pregnancy, now in the last months, had suddenly become hugely apparent. The bump was enormous and Miranda had gained weight everywhere, her arms and legs puffy with extra flesh and fluid. Even her face seemed bloated, and her beautiful chestnut-red hair had become quite lank and lifeless. Gone was the sparkle and vivacity of her early pregnancy, to be replaced by a heavy dullness. Sylvie felt sorry for her. It must be awful carrying that great bulge around and feeling so ungainly.

‘Are you going down to breakfast?’ asked Miranda, shuffling across the sitting room in her slippers to draw the curtains. Sylvie nodded, pausing by the door, eager to be gone.

‘Hold on a minute and I’ll come down with you. I feel a little more able to face the world now.’

‘That’s good, Mum,’ said Sylvie, her heart sinking. ‘That’s really great news. But I can’t … I’m sorry; I’m not going down to the Dining Hall. I’m having breakfast in Magus’ rooms.’

Miranda frowned at her.

‘Has he sent for you? I didn’t hear a knock.’

‘No, but … he said he wanted me to keep him company until he’s better. He’s ordered me some winter clothes and that was the deal.’

‘I see. So he’s arranged for you to miss a whole year of school just so you can prance about in new clothes and keep him amused, has he?’

‘No Mum, it’s not like that. He says I’ve helped to make him better. I must go – I promised.’

‘And what about me, Sylvie? I’d really like to have you with me as I go downstairs and face all those people again. I’m dreading their looks and comments. They must’ve all guessed what’s happened and I feel so humiliated. I need some support – I thought you’d be happy to help me.’

Sylvie looked away guiltily. She wanted to sip fresh orange juice from crystal glass and talk with Magus; bask in his warmth and appreciation.

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