Unseen Magic by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Author:Emily Lloyd-Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2021-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Ashes and Discoveries

“I have deliveries,” said Fin a little despairingly. The thought of traipsing about Aldermere, packages in hand, while some monster that looked like her was wreaking havoc was almost unbearable. But if she skipped out, Mr. Hardin might say something to Mom. And even if he didn’t, word got around fast. People would ask why their medications or packages hadn’t arrived on Tuesday, as always.

She and Eddie parted ways. He returned to the big house while Fin trudged toward the Ack.

The weight of everything slowed her down. She felt as if there was a visible mark on her, some way for everyone to see that she was hiding something, that she knew more about the fire and the break-ins than anyone else. It was her fault, after all. Surely people would see. But everyone’s attention was on the fading plumes of smoke, and Fin found herself standing alone inside the tiny grocery store.

The place behind the cash register was empty. Fin gazed at it for a few moments, feeling even more off-balance. Mr. Hardin was always inside the Ack. To not have him here felt wrong. Everything was spinning out of control and she didn’t know how to stop it—and now even her normal routine was falling apart.

“He said he’d be back in a few minutes,” came a voice from behind her.

Fin turned.

It was Cedar. She gave Fin a small smile. “Mr. Hardin,” she said, by way of explanation. “He said he’d be back in a few minutes. He wanted to see what all the commotion was about.”

“A fire,” said Fin. The words came from far away, not from herself. “At Bellhop Ben’s house.”

Cedar raised an eyebrow. “Bellhop Ben?”

Fin flushed hotly. She’d never let that nickname slip before. “It’s just—Ben. From the inn. I—I had trouble remembering names when I first came to Aldermere, so I sort of nicknamed people in my head.”

She half expected Cedar to laugh, but the other girl nodded.

“I do that,” she said. “Except I attach a rhyme and a fact about the person. Like, ‘Harry Hardin loves to garden.’ Stuff like that.”

“Do you have a rhyme for Eddie?” asked Fin, unable to help herself.

Cedar’s smile sharpened. “Eddie, Eddie, always steady.”

That fit. Eddie was always easygoing.

Fin opened her mouth to ask. She thought of all the things that would rhyme with her name—tailspin, has-been, even break-in. But then she forced the question down, because honestly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

“So it was a fire?” asked Cedar, and Fin nodded. Cedar gazed out the big front window, through the dusty glass and painted letters.

“Everyone was pretty freaked out about it,” said Fin, glad for something else to talk about. “The head volunteer firefighter woman seemed to think that someone had set it.”

“Mrs. Petrichor?” asked Cedar. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, that makes sense. She would have to make sure it wasn’t arson.”

Fin frowned. “Who would set a fire?”

“Maybe a tourist kid,” said Cedar. “Playing with a lighter. Or someone has it out for Ben.

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