Page 119 of The Knucker King

Whatever it was, if it even was something, was gone.

Avice waved her hand dismissively. “My head aches. I must just be seeing things. It was a nosey Good Neighbour at most.”

Bramble’s gaze snapped to the bushes. Would you like me to check?

“I would like to go home,” Avice said. “I am exhausted and have much to prepare for tomorrow.”

She rifled through her satchel as they set off through the barley field and into the woods, pulling out the pork pie. She took a big bite and tossed some to Bramble, who gulped it down with a quick snap.

After eating her half, Avice recounted the events of the cottage and her amazement at the rapid healing of Emma. She then shared the gossip from Matilda, including how the rectory was destroyed, omitting the part about her bargain with the Nightly Neighbours – she did not have the energy to be scolded by her familiar – but still empathising that she believed it meant that Trewoofe and the Underneath would be safe for the time being.

“I wish I could tell him…” Avice said wistfully as they walked home.

She relished the warm evening air. The twilight chorus of woodland birds and crickets serenaded her as they went, and she brushed her fingers fondly over her crystal pendant.

She froze.

The pendant.

Trewoofe’s gift.

He made it for her specifically so she could contact him while he was in the Underneath.

Bramble tossed a glance over his shoulder. Are you alright?

Avice caught up with him, her pendant between her palms. “More than alright.” Excitement bubbled in her chest. “I think I can still speak to him in the Underneath, it was why he gave it to me.”

He would be happy to hear from you, he said, tail swishing as they walked.

Avice nodded, unsure of how it all worked, and simply lifted it to her lips and spoke.

“My King, can you hear me?” she asked, determined to speak to him, an image of her handsome Knucker in her mind.

She took several more strides, a lump caught in her throat as no answer came.

“Little witch, I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear your voice.”

She grinned as his voice boomed up from the pendant. “It works!”

A heartbeat, and he replied, “Of course it works. You must remember that I called for your help.”

She giggled. “Oh, yes.” It had felt a lifetime ago when she found him knocking on death’s door at the base of Knucker Hill. “How is Mary?”

Another pause. “She is well. The Bucca Queen accepted her, and she will grow safely under her care.”

Avice looked up at the tapestry of the canopy as she walked. Cuts of purple twilight dappled through. She smiled at the fluffy red squirrels nattering amongst the blossoms.

“I am so happy to hear that.”

“How is the mother?” Trewoofe asked.

She told him: of the treatment, the magic, how she was uncertain Emma would survive – omitting the kick to the head as she did not want him fussing at her through the crystal – but then she awoke, brimming her life.

She was most excited to tell him the next part.

“There will be no more poison, you and your Faeries are safe.”

“Really?”