Page 31 of A Skirl of Sorcery
I didn’t look away. ‘Iknow what I’m doing – and I won’t flinch from what needs to be done.’
He grimaced. ‘You’re a good neighbour, but you’re just a cat lady.’ He said the words gently as if he didn’t want to offend me. Bless him; I’d always known Dave was a softie but I hadn’t fully appreciated how kind he could be.
I lifted my chin. ‘I can do this.’ Then I added, ‘I’m a true resident of Coldstream, Dave.’ In other words, I won’t tell you what I can do but I’m more capable than you know.
I continued. ‘Keres is under my roof and that makes her my responsibility. And you’d be surprised at some of my abilities.’ That was an understatement. ‘But I do need your help. Watch her while I’m gone, make sure she’s hydrated, give her food if she wants some. Can you do that?’
Dave sniffed. ‘You don’t have to ask.’ He continued to eye me. ‘Are you sure that you?—?’
‘Yes.’
He licked his lips. ‘Okay, Kit. But please don’t let me down. Don’t let Keres down.’
He knew that I couldn’t promise anything, and he wasn’t going to force me into a lie. Instead he went off to the upstairs flat without another word. His footsteps were very, very heavy.
Leaving nothing to chance, I checked I had everything I would need: dagger, poison, several different potions and my most sensible footwear. My final port of call was the back room where Tiddles had been shut in since we’d returned last night.
She didn’t attack me when I opened the door, which I took as a positive, but if cat looks could kill I’d have been on the floor and writhing my way to a quick death. I pointed. ‘Comfy blankets and cushions. Fresh water bowl. Tasty treats. You’ve got everything you need.’
Tiddles hissed.
‘No, you don’t have your freedom but that’s your own fault. You shouldn’t have sneaked out last night.’
She extended her claws pointedly but I wasn’t going to be intimidated by a teenage cat even if she’d come straight from the demon netherworld.
I shrugged. ‘Either you stay grounded in here until I return, or you can come with me—' Tiddles skittered towards me in her rush to join me ‘—but,’ I added firmly, ‘you stay with me at all times and you do exactly what I tell you to.’
She purred loudly.
‘Exactlywhat I tell you,’ I reiterated. I crouched down and held out my arms. Tiddles gave my fingers a lick then let me pick her up and put her on my shoulder. I’d probably regret this but it would forestall my guilt at locking her up. I stood up, adjusted my weight until she was comfortable and walked out of my front door.
A tall man was standing at the garden gate and I recognised him instantly as Slasher’s husband. Well, that was just peachy. I wasn’t in the mood for any prolonged confrontations and, frankly, Keres deserved far better. I strode towards him.
He didn’t smile. ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘I live down the street.’
I was prepared to offer him a grunt and nothing else, but She Without An Ear was perched on the wall beside him and she gave me a long look to remind me that I was supposed to be fostering good relations with my neighbours. Even the shitty ones. ‘I know,’ I said. ‘You have a beautiful family.’
My compliment took him by surprise. ‘Uh, thank you.’
‘Your daughter Kate is very friendly. It’s wonderful that we can all get along – we’re fortunate to live in a community that’s so welcoming. It’s one of the many things I love about Danksville.’
His cheeks were turning red. ‘Well, yes, that’s good.’
‘I mean, look at you,’ I said, unlatching the gate. ‘You know what people in other parts of Coldstream say about druids, but here you’re welcomed with open arms.’
He frowned. ‘Huh? What do people say about druids?’
Obviously, I didn’t answer. ‘I’d love to stay and chat – in fact, I’d love to invite you in for some tea but I’m on my way out. I have several appointments to keep.’ I gazed off into the distance. ‘Perimenopausal symptoms have to be taken seriously when you’re a woman of my age.’
Mr Slasher blanched. There were likely several years to go before I experienced the dubious pleasure of the perimenopause, but sometimes people could be pleasingly predictable.
I went on. ‘The cramps are horrendous. And there’s so much blood…’
Mr Slasher was already backing away. ‘I can see you’re busy,’ he said hastily. ‘I’ll let you get on your own way.’
‘That’s very kind of you. If you’re looking for a chat,’ I told him, ‘Mrs Miller is home.’
As if on cue, the older woman who lived across from me – and who possessed enough Fae blood to entrap almost anyone– opened her front door. She was beaming. ‘Would you like to come in, dear?’ she asked him. ‘I’ve just made some scones. They’re still hot from the oven.’
