Deep Water

by Lu Hersey

  “I didn’t want her to think ill of her father. She’d just lost him, remember. She had enough to cope with already. I didn’t want her to know it was his own pig-headedness that kept me from saving him.”

  “How come Mum didn’t work it out for herself? Didn’t she ask why you cut out the lock?”

  “I told her I’d lost the key and there was something I needed in there. The chest used to be in our bedroom, so she didn’t notice for a while.” She pauses. “It wasn’t Joseph’s fault, you know, not really. It was all down to Crawford, telling him the old ways were evil, the work of the devil. Crawford was a persuasive man, and Joseph believed him.”

  The mention of Crawford brings the events of last night flooding back to me.

  Suddenly I don’t feel like eating breakfast any more.

  “Do you think Mum realized the truth when she found the chain? Maybe she saw the key and finally understood that you couldn’t save him?”

  “It’s possible, I suppose. Perhaps I should have told her back then, I don’t know. It’s too late now anyway.” Mamwyn’s voice is wobbly again.

  I don’t say anything. All this time Mum had been blaming Mamwyn. No wonder the current pulled her into the rocks. She must have been so shocked and upset.

  Crawford has a lot to answer for. In the past he pulled my family apart at the seams. And he’s still intent on our destruction.

  I think he’s come back to finish what he started.

  Cycling back to Dad’s on Michelle’s bike, I go over everything Mamwyn and I talked about before I left. We’re both positive Crawford has Mum’s sealskin in his house. We have to find an opportunity to break in to get it back, as soon as possible.

  The biggest problem is that Crawford knows about us now. He’ll be on constant lookout. And he’s got Gabriel.

  I start wondering what he would do if he caught me breaking in. I remember the stuffed animals and I shudder. He must have killed them with something. I bet he’s got a rifle.

  Suddenly a shotgun goes off right next to me and I nearly fall off the bike in fright. I crane my neck round to try to see who’s shooting, and realize it’s just a builder chucking bricks into a skip. If I’m this jumpy just thinking about breaking into Crawford’s house, I hate to think how terrifying it will be when we actually have to do it.

  I wish I could tell Elliot what happened last night. I bet he’d help us. I’m already beginning to find keeping the oath of secrecy is more difficult than I thought.

  I reach the steep hill rising out of the village and try to concentrate on cycling for a while.

  Back at Dad’s, I spend the rest of the day pretending to do schoolwork, but not actually doing any at all. I scour the internet and read as much as I can about Crawford. Compared with trying to get Mum’s sealskin back, school seems so unimportant. I can catch up later.

  I get a message from Elliot around lunchtime asking if he can pick me up from Dad’s later, which cheers me up despite everything. I message back to say yes. It’ll be really great to see him and think about something other than Crawford for an hour or two.

  By four o’clock I’ve got a headache, so I go down to help in the shop to try and take my mind off everything. It doesn’t really work as I’m still thinking about how Mamwyn and I can get Mum’s sealskin back, but at least the headache goes away.

  Dad and I eat our supper soon after we close up.

  “Are you going out tonight, Danni?” he asks, shoving his last forkful of baked potato into his mouth.

  “I’m meeting up with Elliot if that’s okay?” I’m worried Dad might want me to stay in after being at Mamwyn’s all last night.

  Fortunately he seems pleased.

  “It’ll be good for you to get out and see someone your own age. Can’t be much fun being cooped up on your own all day.”

  “You’re here, Dad. And I did serve a few customers this afternoon.”

  “Well I reckon you deserve a break. What time are you going out? I’d walk round with you to give Jackson a run, only the England versus Germany match starts in a few minutes.”

  I smile. No wonder Dad’s so keen on me seeing Elliot. He wants me out of the way so he can enjoy the game in peace. I just have time to help him clear away the plates, when the bell rings downstairs.

  “That’ll be Elliot – I’ll get it.”

  “Great. See you later, love. Have a nice evening. Would it be okay for you to take Jackson?”

  I bound down the stairs to open the door. Elliot smiles at me and I go to give him a hug. But as I get close, he suddenly doubles up in pain, gripping his chest. Jackson runs up to him and tries to lick his face.

  “Elliot? What’s wrong? Jackson, come here!” I go to help Elliot up. As soon as I touch him, his breath rasps more sharply and he flinches away.

  He tries to speak. “Sorry – dunno what’s up – fine till I got here—”

  I crouch down to see what’s wrong, but he immediately raises his arms in front of his face as though he thinks I’m going to hit him. I can’t believe this is happening. I let him stand up shakily by himself. He takes several steps back from me. I can see he’s still having trouble breathing. I start to panic. What’s going on?

  “Look, Danni – something’s up – can’t breathe. Maybe – some fresh air? Let’s walk – to – castle.”

  He tries to smile, but I can see he’s in real pain. I’m scared.

  “I’ll call Dad. You need to see a doctor.”

  “Nah – I’ll be fine. Let’s just walk.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He nods and turns back up the path. I follow him, slightly reluctantly. I still think he should see a doctor. When we get to the pavement we walk together, but a few steps apart from each other. Jackson strains ahead of us, pulling on his lead. I’m upset and don’t know what to say. Elliot is careful to keep the distance between us. If I get too close, he flinches and quickly moves away. It’s horrible. I’ve no idea what’s happening.

  “Is it me, Elliot? Is there something you’re trying to tell me?” I try my best not to sound as upset as I feel.

  His mouth is set in a grim line. “I don’t know what’s wrong, Danni. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all day, but now it’s agony even trying to breathe if I go near you.”

  I hear a sudden scuffling in someone’s driveway as we pass, and look to see what it is. Jackson starts whining excitedly and straining towards the place the sound came from.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Thought I heard something. Looks like Jackson did too.”

  Someone coughs in the darkness. A shape looms towards us and unthinkingly I clutch Elliot’s arm. He yelps and makes a choking sound in his throat. I let go immediately, and turn instead to face whoever is out there.

  “Don’t worry, girl. It’s only me.”

  It’s Robert. He bends down to pet Jackson, who is delighted to see him and jumps up at him excitedly. But I’m furious.

  “You nearly frightened the life out of me. Are you following me or something?”

  “Sorry, girl.” Robert sounds hurt, and I immediately feel guilty, especially when I think about the wind charm he gave me. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t know what would have happened last night.

  “No, it’s me who should apologize, Robert. I didn’t mean to shout at you. I’m just upset…” I can’t think what else to say.

  “It’s the boy, isn’t it? Where’s the pain, boy?”

  “In my chest. Can’t breathe. Thought the fresh air would clear it.”

  “Hasn’t though, has it? I bin watching youse. Never thought it, even of Beryl. Putting a curse on one of her own.”

  Elliot glances at me but doesn’t say anything.

  “Elliot? What does he mean?”

  Robert answers for him. “Reckon she doesn’t want him seeing you, girl. So she’s made a binding curse to put a stop to it.”

  I stare at Elliot. “Is that true? Is this something your Aunty Bea has done?”

 
Elliot avoids my gaze.

  “I don’t know for sure, but she threatened something a few days ago. I ignored it at the time because I didn’t think she was serious. I know about my family’s reputation, of course, but never realized a curse could affect you like this.” His voice trails off and he rubs his ribcage tentatively. “Now I don’t know what to think.”

  I don’t say anything. I’ve already learned how powerful a weather charm can be, so I’m not surprised a curse can be too. But I’m upset his Aunty Bea could do this to him because of me.

  “You needs to nail it, son. That’ll hold it for a bit.”

  I look at Robert in surprise. “Nail it? What do you mean?”

  “The boy has to do it, cos she’s put the curse on him. Get some nails, boy. Three. Got to be iron. Nail them into the ground around her house. Keeps the curse contained. Front door, back door, garden gate. ’S only a temporary measure, mind. You need to find the poppet.”

  “Poppet? You mean she’s made one of those figures – of Elliot?” I’m horrified. I wonder what she did to the figure to cause him this much pain.

  Robert sighs. “Reckon so, don’t youse, boy?”

  Elliot just nods. He looks really upset and I’m not surprised.

  “You’ll need to find it, son – and most likely she’ll have hidden it well. Could be under a loose floorboard somewhere, or perhaps up a chimney. Check up all the fireplaces.”

  I can’t get the image of some kind of voodoo doll out of my mind. “What kind of person does something like this to someone?”

  “His family.” Robert points at Elliot, then he seems to think about what he’s just said. “If youse don’t mind me saying, boy. It’s just what I heard, tha’s all.”

  “That’s okay. I already told Danni my family legacy.” Elliot sounds close to tears. I desperately want to reach out to him, but I can’t even get close.

  “Don’t mean you have to take that path though, does it, boy?” Robert speaks softly. “You can put your skill to good use instead maybes.”

  “Thanks, Robert, but I don’t think I’ve got those kind of skills, thank goodness.”

  “Maybe not.” Robert’s turquoise blue eyes gaze at Elliot thoughtfully. “’S hard to say.”

  “From what you’ve told me, it sounds like I need to get into Aunty Bea’s house when she’s not there. That shouldn’t be too difficult. She’s always round at our place. You think the poppet might be either under the floorboards or up a chimney?”

  “So I bin told. Some place not too obvious, see. Nail it first though. Keeps the curse in her house. Once you’ve taken it out of the building, you needs to destroy it as soon as you can, cos it won’t be contained any more.”

  “Maybe I can help you?” I offer.

  “No!”

  “No way!”

  Robert and Elliot are in agreement.

  “Not you, girl. Maybe some other friend of his, but not youse. Far too dangerous.”

  “I’ll do it myself.” Elliot sounds resolute.

  “I’d help, boy, but I don’t like to spend too much time in Ancrows if I’m honest. I stays on the outskirts, even though I was born there.”

  “That’s nice of you but don’t worry – I’ll be fine.”

  I have a sudden idea. “What about Levi? If he’s coming this weekend, I’m sure he’d help you if he can.”

  “Thanks, Danni, but how could I possibly explain this to him? He’ll think my family are all plain crazy. I’m beginning to wonder myself.” He attempts a smile.

  Poor Elliot. I totally understand where he’s coming from. If I told anyone even half of what’s going on in my life, I’d be dumped in the psychiatric ward alongside Mum.

  The distant rumble of an approaching bus cuts into the silence. Robert shuffles his feet.

  “Have to be going, that’ll be the last bus. When you finds the figure, chuck it into a fire, okay, boy? Soon as you can. The longer you leaves it, the more the curse will fester. Burning’s the best thing for it. Let me know how you gets on, won’t youse?”

  “Thanks, Robert, I will.”

  “I’ll look out for youse if I can.”

  We watch Robert as he walks off quickly towards the bus stop. A faint smell of earth and leaf mould hangs in the air after he’s left us. No sherry though, as far as I can tell. Maybe he ran out of money to buy it.

  Neither Elliot nor I say anything. We listen to the bus engine throbbing as it waits at the bus stop in the village, and a few minutes later we hear it grinding into full throttle as it heads off into the night.

  “We may as well go back.” Elliot sounds subdued.

  “Wish I could help you with Aunty Bea.”

  “Well you can’t.”

  We wander back down the lane. I walk on the pavement and he walks in the middle of the road, to avoid getting the pain back. The atmosphere between us is strained. We reach the main street again without either of us having said a word. Elliot breaks the silence.

  “Danni, it’s difficult to talk about this now and I don’t feel great. Let’s just go home. I’ll go over to Ancrows as soon as I get the time.”

  “Are you going to do the iron nails thing?”

  “Does it sound crazy?”

  “Not to me.”

  “Look, I’ll call you. I hope I can do it tomorrow. I get some free study time at school on Fridays. If not, it’s going to be difficult working in the shop on Saturday if you’re around.” He starts to walk away.

  I stand at the crossroads and watch him. He doesn’t even turn around again. I don’t want to go back in the house so soon. The match won’t even have reached half-time. Jackson sits down on the pavement and yawns.

  “Sorry, Jackson. Not much of a walk tonight, eh?” I have an urge to turn out of the village and keep on going. I’ve never felt so isolated in my life. Now Elliot’s gone, I can’t hold my tears back any longer. I walk slowly back to the shop and go round to the back door, still feeling really upset. Before I let myself in, I find a tissue buried in my pocket and spend a while in the garden, wiping mascara from under my eyes. I don’t want Dad to worry about me.

  I can’t even begin to explain to him what’s wrong. I know he sells all kinds of crystals and magic stuff in the shop, but this is different. I don’t think he could cope with it. It’s all too real.

  Fortunately Dad’s glued to the TV when I get upstairs to the flat, so he doesn’t notice if I still look blotchy from crying. He takes his eyes off the screen for a moment and glances towards me.

  “Hi, love. Levi called while you were out.”

  “Great. I’ll call him.” I smile. Talking to Levi is the one thing that might lift my spirits. I fumble in my rucksack for my phone.

  Dad realizes what I’m doing and obviously doesn’t want my chatting to interrupt the match. “Call him back from the shop phone if you like.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  I run downstairs.

  “Levi?”

  “Hey, Danni.”

  “Dad said you called.”

  “Yeah, listen, do you think your dad would mind if I come down again tomorrow evening?”

  “I’m sure he won’t.”

  “Great. Mum says she’ll get the train ticket for me in return for looking after Cheryl and Syrus in the holiday last week. I’ll come after school if that’s okay.”

  “Can’t wait. There’s been so much weird stuff going on here. I need to see you.”

  “How’s your mum?”

  “No change. I’m going to see her on Saturday morning, but you don’t have to come with me. Maybe you could see Sarah instead?”

  “Not sure. I told Sarah I’d message her and maybe we could meet at that Chill Out club on Saturday night. I figured you’d be going – unless you’ve fallen out with Elliot or anything?”

  “Not really. Hopefully it’ll be okay by then.”

  “Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good. What’s happened?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

&nb
sp; “Try me.”

  “You’ll think I’m nuts.”

  “That’s okay. I already know you are.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So?”

  “So his Aunty Bea’s put a curse on him and he can’t see me without getting crippling chest pain.”

  I wait a few minutes for Levi to stop laughing.

  “Wow, that’s the best excuse I’ve ever heard.”

  I don’t say anything.

  “Sorry, Danni, are you upset?”

  “No. I just want you to help him. He needs to find the curse in her house, and burn it. He can’t even work in the shop right now. Not if I’m here anyway.”

  “Bloody hell, you’re serious. What’s up with that place? Are they all inbred or something?”

  I find I’m smiling despite myself.

  “Hey, I’m from round here too, you know. Are you calling me inbred?”

  “Yeah – I always knew there was something weird about you! High six!”

  “Oh very funny.”

  “Seriously though, I can’t wait to hear more about this one!”

  “I’ll come with Dad to pick you up at the station tomorrow. Think Michelle’s back this weekend too. Just let us know what time you’re arriving.”

  I’m surprised how much happier I feel as I switch off the shop lights and go back upstairs. I’m so glad Levi is coming. He might even be able to help Elliot.

  Upstairs, the match is still on. I feel exhausted and decide I may as well go to bed. Right now there’s nothing I can do to help either Mum or Elliot. Maybe I’ll be able to think more clearly in the morning.

  chapter 29

  The school emails first thing. They want me to send my finished homework by the end of the day, and they’ve attached shedloads more to do. I feel like telling them to stuff it. I’ve got more than enough problems without worrying about school as well. I stomp out to the kitchen in a really bad mood.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Dad is just making a pot of tea.

  “Too much to do for school.”

  “But you’ve been working hard, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Anyway it’s Friday and Levi’s coming later.”

  I can’t tell Dad I’ve spent most of the time I was supposed to be doing schoolwork this week either worrying about Mum, thinking how to break into Crawford’s house with Mamwyn, or daydreaming about Elliot.