Whitby Witches by Robin Jarvis

Author:Robin Jarvis [Jarvis, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, Childrens, young adult, adventure
ISBN: 9781405285407
Google: ez4IDgAAQBAJ
Amazon: 1405285400
Goodreads: 488581
Publisher: Egmont UK
Published: 1991-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

IX

‘BUT A LITTLE TIME TO LIVE’

Ben and Jennet sat on the sofa in Aunt Alice’s cosy parlour. The old lady stood in front of the fireplace with her hands clasped behind her back. She had dressed the girl’s cuts and bruises and given them both a hot cup of tea with biscuits. When she had made sure they were comfortable, she made them tell her exactly what had happened.

Ben had been reluctant to explain why he had come rushing back in such panic; it would mean telling her about the fisher folk. For a while he stared miserably at the floor, but Aunt Alice was insistent – he had never seen her in this mood before. Slowly Ben mumbled about meeting Nelda and Hesper and how they were searching for the moonkelp. Finally he got around to the evil creature he had met on the beach that night.

Miss Boston stood stiff and stern throughout his tale. Her face was scrunched up in such a way that it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. Jennet, however, gawped at her brother as though he had gone mad. She had never heard such a load of old rubbish. Fisher folk, indeed!

Aunt Alice now turned to her. Jennet guiltily told how she had spied on the novice in the churchyard the previous night and how she had gone out that evening with the same intention. Aunt Alice’s brows raised a little on hearing this and she pursed her lips in disapproval. Jennet then related the events which had led up to the appearance of the hound and described how it had attacked her. When her story was over, the girl kept her eyes fixed on Aunt Alice. She realised her tale sounded almost as ridiculous as Ben’s – would the old lady believe her?

Miss Boston studied them both for a few moments. Ben was dejected about breaking his promise of silence and Jennet looked unhappy.

Aunt Alice cleared her throat and rocked on her heels. ‘A most perilous time you pair have had,’ she said eventually. ‘I must say that I am rather disappointed in you both for having kept these things to yourselves.’

Neither of the children made an answer. They both felt awful.

The old lady stooped to pick up the poker and gave the dying fire a few irritated and vigorous thrusts. ‘There,’ she said when that was done. Her mood had changed back to normal. ‘Now the main thing is, what are we to do about this situation?’ She rubbed her hands together excitedly. Both Jennet and Ben looked at her, bewildered.

‘First of all,’ Aunt Alice began, ‘I must tell you, Benjamin, that you haven’t really betrayed a trust in telling me about your aufwader friends. You’re not the only one who can see them, you know. Of course to me they’re a little blurred, as my gift is not as sharp as it should be. I have seen them many times although I have never had the courage to go up and actually speak to them, as you did.

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