Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr Holly Bell (top 100 novels txt) 📖

‘Did you hear anything about it, apart from it was good,’ Flossie enquired casually, dunking a garibaldi.

‘I do remember that the parents seemed very relieved when I said we could take their children. Actually, I think a couple transferred there, then came back here. But you can’t enquire too closely, you know. If parents choose one way of education or another, that’s their business.’

‘Did you ever see the school in operation, Ali?’

‘Growan House? No, I never went there, and we don’t really go beyond the playground and the road. To and fro and sometimes, taking classes out on the Moor, but we didn’t go near there. We go north-west, you see, to the Stripple Stones and King Arthur’s Hall, or the very southern edge of the Moor. Plenty to see and do there.’

Flossie nodded understandingly. ‘’Course.’

‘I tell you who might be able to help you more. The old caretaker. He lived closer to Dowrkampyer land, and he was out and about far more than us, tending the grounds you see.’

‘Ah. Yes, that would be good. Would ’e mind a visit?’ asked Flossie.

‘I’m sure he wouldn’t. Lives by himself but likes a bit of company. Let me give him a call.’

***

‘Like the fall o’ Constantinople, it were,’ reminisced Trevek Williams, shaking his head. It had taken some time to get him there.

They were on their second cup of tea and were being offered more Jacob's Orange Club Biscuits.

‘Oo, aren’t you spoilin’ us!’ declared Flossie, who’d been warming him up during the first round.

‘My pleasure, yn sur,’ said the retired caretaker. ‘So, Trelawney, are you? Hm. Well now. So, you and your young friend, ’ere wants to know about the old Growan school and the Dowrkampyers?’

‘Please,’ replied Amanda.

‘Lost someone did you?’

‘In a manner of speaking,’ she answered diplomatically.

‘Well now.’ Trevek scrutinized his guests carefully with narrowed eyes, finally adjudging them to be of sound character. ‘Long as I ’ave yer word it’s ’tween you and me and the gatepost.’

‘You ’ave my word,’ Flossie told him readily.

‘Promise of a Cadabra.’ Amanda had an idea that might carry some weight with someone who had cared for the land.

‘Cadabra, eh? Well, I s'pose they be respected in these parts. I’ll tell you what I seen.’

‘Please. Anything at all, sir.’

‘Oh, I seen. I seen plenty. I told the police as I was in my bed and asleep, but that night there were a storm. No rain mind. I were comin' back from a night out wi' me friends up at the Jamaica Inn. I admit I’d had a fair skinful, as is why I didn't say nothin’: drivin’, you see. Though I know these roads blindfold.’

‘I'm sure,’ agreed Amanda.

‘Anyway.’ He took a sip of tea. ‘I see the sparks — like fireworks. I thought it might be lightnin’, but I parks up a bit away and creeps up for a better look, see? Like the fall o’ Constantinople, it were. There’s like fireballs flying up the winders. And the ‘ouse top all flames and smoke. And I sees the Flamgoyne jeep and the Cardiubarn Rover parked up. People outside and sparks and commotion. Then a big blindin’ flash like the ’eavens openin’ on Judgement Day, and then some cheldern runnin’ out like bats out o’ hell, and going off in a van. Then people comin’ out and carryin’ stuff. And then come the sirens — the police and fire brigade and such. So, I makes off, ’coz I don’t want no trouble and no questions.’

‘Mr Williams,’ asked Amanda diffidently, ‘do you remember what the people coming out were carrying?’

‘Lessee .... A big cup thing, shiny, like gold, only it mighta bin the reflection of the flames, see? And, er ... maybe a big candlestick and a thing that looked like a bell. Some like jars too, big jars, and there mighta bin a mirror and then another person with a pile of old books – big old things.’

‘More than one?

‘Oo yeah I’d say so. Unless they was boxes.’

‘Do you remember who was carrying what?’ Amanda enquired.

‘Oh, I couldn’t see, flower. What with the smoke and the dark. Next thing I ’ear the cars drivin’ off. Fast too. I ’eard the tyres spinnin’’

‘The people carrying things out, were they people from the school?’

Trevek shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think so.’

‘Flamgoynes?’

‘Mebbe.’

‘Cardiubarns?

‘Mebbe.’

Amanda fell silent, processing what she had heard, and wondering what else she might ask. Trevek looked at her hopefully.

‘’Ave I ’elped you, miss?’

At that Amanda smiled. ‘Yes. Yes, you have, very much indeed. You’ve put my mind at ease. I’m so glad the children got out safely.’

‘Yes. I dunno ’ow many was in there mind, but some at least.’

‘What happened after the fire?’

‘Questions, enquiry. Lotta what they call fatalities. Seems like all the Dowrkampyers … you know? ... what with the smoke ’n all. I kept out of it; everyone around did, and y’know, these things blow over. People forget. And a good thing too, if you ask me. Were any of the children Cadabras?’

‘No. But ... I did just wonder about the children when I heard the story.’

‘Arr, you’ve a kind ’eart. Goin’ to such trouble to find out.’

As Gran Flossie drove them back to Parhayle, she said,

‘Good thing you was with me. I wouldn’t have known to ask all of that.’

‘Thank you very much for bringin’ me along.’ Amanda replied. She then sat quietly cogitating. So, a number of treasures were taken from Growan House. Some at least from the lab in the crypt. Grimoires? A mirror? A chalice? And an interesting combination: bell, book and candle ....

Chapter 39

The Missing Pieces

As Hogarth had run out of story, Amanda was able