The Thirteen Curses by Michelle Harrison

Author:Michelle Harrison [Harrison, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, General, Fantasy & Magic
ISBN: 1847384501
Google: qOJ-AusI42cC
Amazon: B0058U6WY0
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2010-05-10T23:00:00+00:00

19

SLEEPING WAS PROVING difficult for Rowan, especially since she now feared for James’s safety whenever he was out of her sight. Since the trip to the library, she’d hunted out every red item of clothing in the home that might be suitable for James to wear. She stole some red flannelette trousers and a pair of red socks from other children’s wardrobes and the laundry.

She dressed him in them only when she knew he was going to be out of her sight, but the thought that he would only remain safe for as long as he stayed silent worried her a great deal. He was prone to waking and calling out for her. As a result, her own sleep was fitful; she awoke three or four times every night to check on him.

Making the items last was also a challenge. Twice she dug the little red trousers out of the laundry basket to use again, once the backs of the watchful staff were turned.

Although she hoped that what had happened to Megan was a one-off, she took no chances. Her fears were soon realised. One day, three weeks after the trip to the library, Rowan went into the nursery to check on James. Straight away she could tell something was wrong. Two worried-looking carers were hovering around one of the cots, speaking in low voices. She stepped closer to catch what they were saying.

‘. . . doesn’t look good. How long has he been like this?’

‘Since first thing this morning.’

‘I think we need to call the doctor.’

Rowan stepped aside as one of the women turned to leave the room quickly, brushing past her.

‘Is something wrong?’ she called to the one that remained.

‘Nothing to worry about,’ came the forced cheerful reply. ‘Why don’t you take James out for some fresh air?’

Rowan eyed James, who was sitting up in his cot, gurgling to himself. Something – perhaps curiosity, perhaps intuition – made her draw closer to the crib with the sick child.

As soon as she laid eyes on it she could see the child had been switched – like Megan. Only this time, the thing that lay there instead of the human was plainly very ill. There were dark shadows beneath its eyes and its breathing was shallow. It looked up at her, and whatever mask it wore slipped beneath her gaze; it was a fairy, no question. And the reason it had been switched was its illness, she felt sure of it. It had been switched with a healthy child.

‘Best keep James away,’ said the carer. She flitted over to the other cots, checking on the children one by one. ‘Oh, no . . .’ She paused beside another of the children.

Red’s heart lurched. Already she knew what was coming.

‘It’s another one, isn’t it?’ she asked. ‘Another one is . . . ill.’

‘Yes. I think you’d better take James out, now.’

Rowan did as she was told. She hugged James to her tightly. How many more children would be taken? And was

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