The Dragons' Call. Judy Hayman

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      “You left me out on purpose!” said Alice, coldly. “You went off with Ollie...” her voice was full of scorn, but before Emily could think of an answer that wouldn’t make the quarrel worse, Ellen appeared in the doorway.

      “I don’t want to know what this is all about,” she said, “but Oliver and Duncan have an idea. They want you in the kitchen; BOTH of you – now!” She vanished again, and a relieved Emily rushed after her. Alice hesitated, then followed more slowly. Annoyed though she was, she did not want to be left out again!

      She found everyone gathered in the kitchen listening to Oliver. “....need to make the most of this mist. It’s not lifting at all – getting thicker, if anything. We don’t reckon it would be too risky for a lot of us to go out foraging. There’s the field where the pigeons gather for a start. Maybe pheasants - Duncan and I saw quite a few wandering about yesterday morning. They’re never around at night, when Des and I go out. Pheasant would make a nice change!”

      “There’s the tattie field too. And snails might be coming out,” Duncan added. “We’ll be lucky to find any berries, but no harm keeping an eye out.”

      “Do you want to take the children?” Gwen asked.

      “I think you should ALL go,” said Maggie. “Do you good. You’re not used to being cooped up inside. I can see to these rooks if George gives me a hand, and the wee ones seem happy enough. I’ll feed them when they get hungry, and you can take some food with you. Harold’s out the back breaking firewood. He said he’d leave some sticks for Tom to jump in the cellar.”