The Dragons' Call. Judy Hayman

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      Emily slept badly that night, though she tried to keep still and quiet so she did not disturb Alice. She stopped crying, and concentrated instead on trying to pick up the ‘call’ from her Gran, like Gwen and George. It was not really successful, so she tried instead to send Gran a message of her own, with no real hope it would work, and then tried to think of suitable arguments to convince her parents that SHE should go to Wales with Des. Eventually she fell asleep from sheer exhaustion, and didn’t even wake when Alice tiptoed out for breakfast.

      Her wakening was sudden and caused by Ollie. He was rampaging round the cellar, yelling in fury, lashing his tail on the walls and sending spurts of flame to the ceiling. She staggered out, rubbing her eyes.

      “Good thing the ceiling’s stone down here,” Alice remarked, coming over to join her. “He’d have set the place alight if there was wood, like upstairs. Watch out, idiot!” she added to Ollie as a particularly fierce flare just missed her.

      “What’s the matter with him?”

      “Des set off to Wales last night. By himself. He said that would be quickest, so he didn’t even take your Mum. He’s arranged with the Dads to check out Huff range too. The grown-ups planned it all last night. That’s why they wouldn’t let Ollie in. He’s furious, as you can hear! Turns out Des hadn’t actually promised to take him travelling. That was just him boasting last night. Oh, GO AND HAVE YOUR TANTRUM SOMEWHERE ELSE!!” she shouted to Ollie, who was still rampaging around the cellar.

      “I’m going upstairs.” Emily set off for the flight of steps, trying to avoid Ollie as she went. Alice followed, and the two of them saw him disappear into the secret passage that led into the garden.

      “I hope he doesn’t go over the fence in a rage,” Alice remarked. “That really WOULD cause a row with Dad!”

      Emily had forgotten about Ollie. She was too eager to see her mother and hear about Des. She rushed into the kitchen to find her. Gwen made her sit down for a late breakfast while she told her what had been decided. “He set off soon after you went to bed,” she said, bringing a bowl of porridge and adding some honey as a special treat. “He didn’t take all his bundles, just some emergency rations, so he could travel light. He says he knows the quickest way.”

      At that moment, Oliver and Duncan came in. “You’ve been a long time. It’s light. I hope you weren’t seen!” said Ellen anxiously.

      “Where’ve you been?” asked Emily with her mouth full.

      “We’ve found a good Huffing spot a few miles away, up on the moor,” Oliver answered. “I went a bit of the way with Des last night, and we arranged that he should send a Huff early this morning, to let us know he was OK and check we could get messages through. It worked. We picked up his Huff, and he’s got a good long way. He’s heading south-west, and there are lots of hills and moors that way, so he reckons he can manage to travel by day and still avoid Humans. After that, he’ll reach the coast and fly out at sea to avoid being seen, until he gets to the wilds of Wales where your folks live. He’s done it before. He’ll come back the same way. Says it saves wasting time by hiding up during the day.”

      Emily beamed. “He’s brilliant!” she said.

      Gwen, who was looking happier this morning, chuckled. “So you always say! How does your wing feel after that flight, Duncan?”

      “I managed fine, didn’t I, Oliver? I reckon I could get myself home now, no bother.”

      “Not until we’ve heard from Des,” his wife said firmly.

      “And you need to be sure the snow has melted further north,” Maggie added, bringing hot nettle tea. “Harold says there’s still a lot lying, even here. It takes a long time for a big drift to disappear. We’re in no hurry to be rid of you!”

      “It will be quieter when we’ve gone!” said Duncan, hearing Tom cross the hall outside, yelling for Ollie, and Georgie and Lily scampering after him, shouting almost as loudly.

      “Och, I’ll miss the wee ones,” said Maggie fondly.

      “I’d miss Emily,” Alice СКАЧАТЬ