Silver Hill by Catherine Cooper Read Free Book Online

table. He needed time to think. He wondered if he ought to send Nora a message. But she’d left him in charge and that meant taking responsibility. Whatever she’d gone to do in Annwn must have been important. He didn’t know if she’d want to be bothered by something like this. Charkle could show up at any time and then he’d feel stupid if he’d caused a fuss over nothing. On the other hand, Charkle might be lost or in trouble. Jack suddenly felt very alone. He knew he couldn’t ask Grandad for help. He was going to have to make a decision on his own, and hopefully it would be the right one.
    ‘We need a plan,’ Jack announced when he got back to the kitchen.
    Camelin and Timmery waited expectantly but Jack didn’t know what to say. He placed his Book of Shadows on the table, lowered his hand and was about to ask for help when the book began to vibrate. Camelin hopped over to Jack.
    ‘It’s a message. Open the book and see what it says.’
    Jack turned to the first page and watched the name appear.
    ‘Look, it’s from Nora,’ continued Camelin as he peered over Jack’s arm.
    ‘What’s it say?’ asked Timmery. ‘Is she coming back soon?’
    ‘I’m afraid not,’ replied Jack. ‘She says she’s got to stay in Annwn a bit longer to help Elan and she hopes to be back in a couple of days. I’m to sort out everyone’s food but I don’t have to do anything else to the potion. She says she’ll strain it when she gets home.’
    Timmery fluttered around Jack’s head.
    ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! What are we going to do? Can you ask Nora?’
    ‘No,’ said Camelin. ‘She’ll be cross if she has to come back.’
    Jack wasn’t sure Nora would be cross but there must be a big problem in Annwn or she wouldn’t be staying. He wrote a short reply then closed the book decisively. It was time for him to take charge.
    ‘We’re going to go and look for Charkle,’ Jack announced. ‘Tonight.’
    ‘Tonight!’ exclaimed Camelin. ‘But how?’
    ‘You’ll have to watch Grandad’s house and when all the lights go out it’ll be safe for you to come over. I’ll leave the window open so you can get in. We’ll transform and fly over to Westwood and see if we can find Charkle.’
    Camelin’s beak fell open.
    ‘You said you’d never go on a midnight flight again.’
    ‘I meant with you, this is different, you’re coming with me and we’ve got something very important to do.’
    ‘It was important last time,’ grumbled Camelin.
    ‘This is different, I know where we’re going and why, last time you didn’t tell me anything until it was too late.’
    ‘What’s Nora going to say if she finds out? You promised her: no more adventures.’
    ‘I’ve already asked her.’
    ‘When?’
    ‘When I was ill. I asked if I could help Timmery and Charkle find the dragonettes when I was better and she said yes. I’m better now so I’m allowed to help.’
    ‘Bet she didn’t mean you could go out in the middle of the night.’
    ‘Probably not, but this is an emergency and Nora isn’t here to ask. We’re just going to have to try to make sure we don’t get into any trouble. OK?’
    ‘OK.’
    ‘I can come too, can’t I?’ asked Timmery.
    ‘Of course you can,’ said Jack.
    Camelin humphed, ‘I’ve told you before, it’s too far for a bat.’
    Timmery peered at Jack.
    ‘Is it really too far?’
    Jack nodded.
    ‘But you can cling onto my back, I don’t mind.’
    Camelin frowned and grumbled to himself.
    ‘Don’t see why he has to come.’
    ‘Timmery needs to come along in case we have to look inside any of the caves.’
    Jack waited for Camelin to respond but he didn’t.
    ‘That’s settled then, you’ll come over tonight as soon as the lights go out. I’d better get off now or I’m going to be late for my tea.’
    ‘Bet it’s not cheese and pickles,’ croaked Camelin.
    Jack didn’t reply. He was sure Camelin would find an opportunity to eat something exciting before he saw him again. He ran down