2.2 Mrs Sinclair and the Feather Haa

In which Mrs Sinclair discovers that her daughters had a secret.

To her horror the creature seemed to grow in size until it was almost her own height, stretched and elongated like a wisp of cloud. It bowed again: she was beginning to feel a peculiar distaste of these bows. And then it shrank back to solidity.

Miss Warner and the children did not seem surprised at the creature changing shape, but Mrs Sinclair felt stunned. One of those, here? She had had no idea. But then - she had been so preoccupied.

‘My condolences, madam. I regret to intrude on this sad occasion, but my business with Mr Sinclair was periodic. This is the appointed moment in the calendrical season when we occlude our intent to our mutual understanding and accord.’

She stared at him. ‘Who are you, sir?’ she asked.

It grinned at her, toothily. ‘A trow of these isles, madam. Your humble servant.’ It bowed again, quite elegantly, given the shortness of its legs. ‘Your percipient eye has given me hope that my visit may not be unexpected. May I beg the favour of an interview?’

Mrs Sinclair was seized by an insidious feeling of curiosity.

‘On which subject, sir?’ she asked stiffly.

It leaned towards her and whispered softly in her ear, so that the girls and Miss Warner could not hear.

‘Witchcraft.’