13 Curses by Michelle Harrison Read Free Book Online

HOW RUDE!” the parrot screeched, puffing himself out even more. “Skullduggery, that’s what it is!”
    A small movement caught Tanya’s eye. On the counter, the lid to the tea caddy had lifted, and the shriveled little face of the old brownie that lived there peered out. He blinked grumpily and brandished his walking stick at the General, before slamming thelid back down and burrowing under the teabags again. Tanya caught her grandmother’s eye. Like her, Florence had the second sight, but no one else in the kitchen had seen—or was able to. The only other fairy that lived in the kitchen was a shy little hearthfay whom Tanya had seen dart behind the coal bin a few minutes before.
    “I bet I could teach him some new words,” said Fabian.
    “I’d rather you didn’t,” Nell answered. “If he starts to swear I’ll know exactly who to blame and I’ll wash your mouth out for you with a bar of soap.”
    “As if I’d do
that
!” said Fabian, pretending to be shocked.
    “I’m sure Fabian will respect your wishes,” said Florence, giving Fabian a hard look. “Won’t you, Fabian?”
    Fabian’s only response was a vague “Hmm.”
    “Bleedin’ pest! Bleedin’ nuisance!” said the General.
    From the look on Nell’s face it was clear she agreed.

     
    Later that evening, after Tanya had packed away her things and let Oberon out for a run in the back garden, everyone except Warwick had eaten dinner and was now gathered in the kitchen in front of a roaring fire. The General had, thankfully, had a dark cloth draped over his cage and been wheeled away for the night.Oberon was stretched out with his paws on the hearth, snoring softly. Florence was knitting for a charity rummage sale—her needles clicking and clacking away—and occasionally answering Nell’s questions about the house.
    Tanya stared into the flames of the fire, half listening to them and half thinking about Red and the news bulletin she’d heard on the radio. She wanted to talk to Fabian about it and had hinted several times for them to leave the room. Fabian, however, was sprawled out on the rug next to Oberon, finishing homework that he insisted he wanted out of the way so it didn’t ruin his half-term. Every so often he complained about Oberon’s breath and wriggled away in disgust.
    “Where does that staircase lead to?” Nell asked, her eyelids heavy with the heat of the room.
    Tanya looked at the old staircase next to the fireplace. It curved up and around, disappearing behind another wall partition.
    “It used to lead up to the first and second floors,” said Florence. “It was used by the servants years ago. It’s blocked off now, though.”
    Tanya and Fabian shared a secret glance. It was true that the kitchen’s entrance to the staircase was blocked off, but what Florence had declined to say was that access could still be gained to the old staircase from a hidden door on the second floor. Unbeknownst to Florence and Warwick, Tanya and Fabian had found the door and explored the servants’ staircase during the summer.
    Just then, Warwick came into the kitchen through the back door, followed by a gust of cold air and a few stray leaves. He had been out all afternoon, and now looked cold, tired, and hungry.
    He hung his coat on the back of the door and moved to the oven, where he knew his dinner would be waiting for him, but Florence rose from her chair.
    “Let me,” she said. “I’ll make a nice cup of tea and get your dinner while you check on Amos.”
    Warwick’s tired face brightened. He licked his lips and disappeared to check on his old father upstairs. Minutes later he returned and took a seat at the table.
    “It’s stew,” said Florence, cutting two slices from a crusty loaf.
    “With dumplings?” Warwick asked happily.
    “With dumplings,” Florence replied, opening the oven. “Oh!”
    “What’s the matter?”
    “It’s not here,” said Florence, in obvious confusion. “I left it in the oven to keep it