Page 7 of Black and White, Twice the Might (Cadenbury Town #8)

T he next morning sees me driving us into town so we can check out the museum. I manage to find a space and we get out, walking towards said museum.

The delivery people didn’t phone to say they were outside. Thankfully, Larry answered the door and brought the food up to us. We had a good go at eating everything. There was a pizza left, which we can eat cold later.

The boys seem happier today, with the magic power of pizza. Well, that’s what I’m saying, anyway. I wonder if the protection necklace they were given has helped relieve their minds. Plus, the fact that we gave each other the protection rune and that our father can never hurt them again.

We walk into the museum and look for the ticket office. I can’t see one.

“It’s free to get in,” Xander says, reading a sign on the wall. “It just asks for donations at the end of the visit.”

“I’m sure we can do that,” Sly says, and the four of us look around and read everything.

The museum is all about this town, going way back to when it was a village. I’m surprised how much history they have.

“It says here, the Witchfinder General came to town, but left later that same day, never to return,” I say, reading a card.

Sly snorts. “The town witches obviously found a way to make him leave.”

“You have to wonder why other places didn’t do the same,” Xander says. “It was the one thing I noticed when reading about him a few years ago. That the witches of the times didn’t see him off.”

“I’d be surprised if those he accused were actually witches and not just healers or people the towns or villages just wanted gone,” Sly says.

“Thank goodness we don’t have witchfinders nowadays,” Enoch says, sounding relieved. “Can you imagine being tied to a stake and set on fire, hanged or drowned?

“I’d rather not, thanks,” I say, thankful that we live in modern times and that witchfinders no longer exist.

The rest of the museum is interesting, but doesn’t answer any of the questions that we have. We leave a donation in the box and walk outside, blinking in the bright light.

“So, as interesting as that was, it didn’t help us learn anything,” I say. I’m disappointed. I knew it would be a long shot, but I had hoped for something.

Sly grabs my hand and squeezes it.

“We’re idiots,” Xander exclaims, out of nowhere.

“Why?” Sly asks, looking at him.

“Because we could have asked Molly yesterday if she knew anything. Pretty sure she knows everything ,” he replies.

“We could go and see if she is in the bookshop tearoom,” I suggest.

“Oh no,” Enoch says suddenly, looking down the road.

Sly stands up straighter. “What’s wrong?”

“The man from the funfair and the Mayor are headed this way,” he replies, moving to stand behind us.

I look up and see they are indeed approaching. They must be a couple as they are holding hands.

Xander moves behind us, next to Enoch.

The two men stop a respectful distance away from us.

“Hello, I’m Adhan Stone. This is my partner, Ernest Turnball.”

None of us says anything, we just look at them.

Ernest lets go of the Mayor’s hand and takes a step forward. “I want to apologise for yesterday. It was never our intention to scare your brother. Sal and Nix told us about you visiting Shattered Glass, and when Sal pointed out your brother, we thought we would chat to him.”

“Make a habit of talking to young boys, do you?” I growl out. I’m still angry, sue me.

Ernest shakes his head, his eyes looking sad. “To be honest, we didn’t even give that fact a thought.” He leans a little to the side, looking at Enoch. “I’m truly sorry we scared you. Everyone has told us off and told us how out of order we were.”

“I wanted to make sure you were all alright, especially your brother,” Adhan says. “I also want to offer my apologies. We pride ourselves on being a safe town, and to know members of my family caused you all distress is unacceptable.”

“Thank you for your apologies,” I manage to get out.

“I know it won’t make up for scaring your brother, but would you like to join us for coffee and cake in the tearoom?” Adhan asks, waving at the bookshop.

“Clarence and Callum make the best cakes,” Ernest says with a small smile. “You can meet Mollyanne. She usually has an animal with her.”

“We met her yesterday and had some of their cakes. Enoch even fed Miles,” Sly replies.

Ernest looks confused. “She didn’t have Miles with her yesterday.”

“As we were leaving the farm, we saw her standing by a post. She looked like she was having a funny turn. We offered to drive her home, but she asked us to take her to the tearoom. Miles came running in not long after,” I explain.

“Dammit, I knew she was doing too much,” Adhan said, suddenly looking worried.

I see Ernest looking from me to Sly. “She gave you protection charms.”

I nod. “She gave one to all of us.”

“Will you come and have coffee and cake with us?” Adhan asks again.

I look at Sly before turning to look at the boys. “What do you think?”

“Okay,” Enoch says softly.

I turn back around and look at Adhan and Ernest. “Thank you, that would be nice,” see, I can do polite.