GoldenEars
Page 35
Edmund opened his mouth to interrupt, but Max held up a hand to stop him.
‘And that hair you found clinging to your clothes could have been there for a while, probably from another encounter with your wolf. Look, we don’t know where all the wolves have gone. That earth tremor in the west frightened many species away, and some were probably killed when the earth shifted violently. So, it’s possible you might have to come to terms with their loss and accept that your friend is dead,’ he finished, his voice full of sympathy.
‘What would it take to convince you, Max? I know they are alive somewhere. I need to talk to someone who knows about wolves and their ancestors. I need to get some proof, then you’ll have to believe me!’ Edmund said forcefully.
Max shook his head; the boy certainly was passionate about this.
‘Your probationary period is over at the end of this week,’ replied Max, avoiding his question. ‘And I was going to wait until then to tell you… But seeing as you’ve cornered me here in bed, I’ll tell you now that you’ve met the requirements needed. So, yes, Edmund, you are now a fully fledged ranger. Welcome!’
He’d barely finished speaking before Edmund grabbed his hand and began shaking it vigorously.
‘Oh, thank you, Max… thank you!’ he gasped excitedly, still shaking his hand, unable to contain his delight.
‘Yes, yes, all right, Edmund, please stop,’ groaned Max, struggling to free his hand from Edmund’s grasp.
‘Let me finish, please,’ he demanded, feeling a surge of frustration. ‘As regards to you finding any proof… well, it’s Friday today, and after all the weeks you’ve been here you’re due some leave. How would you feel about going home this Monday, temporarily of course?’ He paused, waiting for Edmund’s excitement to erupt again, but instead the young man stood up abruptly, his expression crestfallen.
‘But I don’t want to go home, not now, when we’re so close to sorting this out.’
Anyone would think I’d asked him to do something terrible, thought Max, shaking his head in amazement. ‘Look, don’t you get it? When you’re back in Edmonton, visit the general library and search through the archives, find out about the myths and legends, or any fables revolving around wolves. Find something I can believe! The world holds many mysteries and unexplained phenomena. Convince me. I’m open to possibilities,’ said Max forcefully.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
He’d been set a challenge, and the prospect of finding a way to help the wolves, and ultimately bring them home, fired up his imagination.
‘See you at breakfast, Max,’ beamed Edmund, turning to leave the poor man to get dressed in peace.
He was the only person up at this early hour, and he wandered into their observation room. It was quiet and tranquil standing at the long viewing window, staring out at the new day. Strangely, he felt confident about the task Max had set him because, despite everything that had happened, he knew in his heart that whatever dangers awaited him, however hazardous the trail, nothing would deter him from finding his wolf.
About the author
Jane was born in Bristol in 1951. Later her family moved to the East Anglian town of Colchester. She began her working life in the competitive and changing world of women’s fashion.
After Jane married in 1973, she and her husband Peter moved to Bristol where Jane found employment with a prestigious department store, and her career progressed to senior window display designer.
She has two grown-up sons, and now lives in West Sussex with her husband.
This is her debut novel.