Page 12 of Secrets of the Frostbound Cottage

I grinned. ‘Something ridiculous – I’m honestly not quite sure what the mix is. You’d best ask his owner.’ I was a little sad to miss out on reuniting BonBon with Rowena because I knew she’d be absolutely overjoyed, but what mattered most was that it happened.

I had more important things to do.

Tanya took BonBon back to the car and Gazza went upstairs to assess, and hopefully arrest, the unconscious perp. I looked at the puppy in my arms before gently placing her on the ground by my feet. ‘This is a short-term arrangement,’ I said firmly.

She cocked her head.

‘I don’t work with a partner,’ I continued as we walked toward the car. ‘And you don’twantto be my partner. Trust me – I’m not very good at this whole relationship thing. You understand that, right? I’d probably be the worst dog owner in the world.’

She didn’t respond; instead, her little legs hurried beneath her body as she kept up with me. The moment I opened the car door, she hopped in and settled in the passenger seat as if she belonged there.

I rolled my eyes. I’d have to clamber over her to get in.

‘Fine,’ I said as I scrambled into Rosie and closed the passenger-side door. ‘But you’d better warn me if there are anymore demons. Got it?’ She flashed me a doggy grin and her tail tapped the seat.

Good enough. That totally counted as a binding contract.

Chapter Nine

When I finally reached Little Rollright, it was a less than ideal time to start an investigation. Firstly, it was the middle of the night; secondly, I had no idea where I was going or what I was looking for, and thirdly, I was absolutely knackered.

The puppy had done her best to remain awake, struggling to keep her eyes open as if she were forcing herself to stay up for my sake.

Knowing I’d probably miss more than I’d notice in my current state, I pulled into a lay-by, cut the engine and pushed my seat all the way back. A couple of hours’ kip would make all the difference. My eyes had barely closed when I drifted off.

It was the sound of bird calls that finally stirred me from my sleep. As I gave a long yawn, I was surprised by how well I’d slept. Normally, my dreams were filled with images, flashbacks to when my grandmother had arrived in town and ruined my whole life. Often I awoke because of my own screaming, or the screams of the other people who had been there that night. But as I breathed in another long yawn, I realised I hadn’t sufferedfrom any of that last night and I actually felt refreshed, although unusually heavy.

As I opened my eyes, I saw why. The puppy was curled up asleep in my lap and somehow my arms were wrapped around her, as if I’d been cuddling her all night. Her warmth flowed through me and a tide of positive emotion radiated from her little frame directly into me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been surrounded by such affirmative feelings – and I hadn’t realised how much I’d needed it. No wonder I’d slept so well.

For years I’d convinced myself that the occasional flashes of gratitude from clients or students were all the reassurance I needed. But feeling this? This – dare I say it –love, directed so openly at me, made it hard to believe I’d been right.

She was definitely a great cuddle buddy but I shouldn’t –couldn’t– get attached, even if she was the reason for my most perfect night’s sleep in years.

‘Come on, you,’ I said softly. ‘We’ve got work to do. And do you know what a good work day starts with? Breakfast.’

Popping her back onto the passenger seat, I reached into the back of the car and pulled out my go bag. Together with the deodorant can and clothes, I had a fair supply of snacks including several breakfast bars. They were hardly the most nutritious start to the day but they filled a hole.

As I opened the wrapper, two eyes stared up at me eagerly. ‘Don’t worry, this one’s for you,’ I promised. ‘I’ve got another.’

I handed her the unwrapped cereal bar, hoping that there was nothing in it a dog couldn’t eat, then took out a second one for myself. Within two minutes, we’d both polished off our meals and it was time to get to work. I’d have to pick up some proper dog food soon.

‘We need to start by finding these Rollright Stones,’ I said to her, as if she could understand me. ‘See if we can find any clues there.’

What clues might elves leave behind? My mind came up empty. I didn’t know anything about them, though there was one person I suspected who would do: Yanni, my best friend’s grandmother. She had raised Maddie and taken me in after my parents had died, and she had been the cornerstone of my life in Witchlight Cove even before I was orphaned.

No one in the world commanded my respect like Yanni did. But, like every part of my past in Witchlight Cove, I’d left her and Maddie behind. I’d needed to because what my grandmother had done hadn’t just affected me, it had affected so many people in our magical community. I hadn’t been able to cope with that burden any longer, which was one of the reasons I’d run away. The other reason was the cloying memories that were too much to bear.

I did my best to shove down those memories and focus on the present. It had been an age since I’d last spoken to Yanni but I knew she would still pick up when I called. That was who she was.

I tried to ignore the slight tremble in my fingers as I hit dial.

She answered almost instantly. ‘Bea?’ Her voice, crackly yet warm, came down the line. It was clear from her muffled tone that I’d just woken her.

‘Oh crap! Sorry, I didn’t check what time it was!’ I apologised, glancing at the car clock to discover it wasn’t quite 6am. ‘Did I wake you up?’ Of course I had. ‘I’m sorry. Go back to sleep. I’ll ring you later.’

‘Don’t be silly, Beatrix.’ The sound of her voice was like catching the scent of home on a breeze. ‘It was time I got up anyway, and you know you can ring me whenever you need me, day or night. Is everything all right? Are you coming back home?’

It was the question I hated the most and the reason I hardly spoke to my best friend, Maddie; it was always the first thing she asked and I dreaded it. My throat tightened.

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