Zoe shrugged. ‘I’ve got some ideas. But it’s almost a full moon. It’s a good time to ask for things. To have more luck.’
We got a chance to try some more magic when my mum went out to do her weekly battle with the supermarket. Zoe took extra care in setting everything up. There were candles in the four corners of the room, or at least as close to the corners as we could get them without setting fire to something.
Zoe chanted out some more verses that she’d written herself. About summoning up all the powers of the sun and the moon, earth, air, fire and water – then asking for something I really wanted. It felt a bit like a being a kid about to blow out your birthday candles. You know it’s a bit daft to make a wish, but you always do it anyway. So I asked.
Zoe just said something very vague about having more good luck. And then she said: ‘And rid us of that Kerry. Please.’ As we stared at the candle flames, which were absolutely still in the airless room, the wax was melting far too fast and spitting like a snake. I felt something brush past my shoulders and I jumped and gave a little shriek.
Zoe glared. ‘What’s the matter?’
I stared around the room. ‘Something touched me.’
‘Really?’ Zoe looked at me eagerly.
I couldn’t explain. ‘Zoe.’ I breathed in deeply because I knew she wouldn’t want to hear this. ‘You know I keep having these awful dreams. Do you think if we stopped doing these rituals, they might go away?’
Zoe considered. ‘No, I think the dreams are just your imagination running off with you. Look, when I summon up the dead, the main person I have in mind is my dad. I think if anyone’s spirit was going to help me, it would be his. So yes, I think there are presences in the room, but I don’t think there’s anything evil floating around, if that’s what you’re worrying about.’
My shoulders drooped. ‘I know. But the nightmares won’t stop. I don’t even like being here during the day on my own. Don’t laugh at me!’
‘I’m not. But I really think you’re just getting worked up about nothing.’ She knelt back on her heels. ‘This is why no one tries … magic, or whatever you want to call it. Things start to happen and they get so spooked they give up. But we’re doing it.’ She breathed out, her eyes glittering. ‘It feels like our powers get stronger every day. Let’s see what happens, eh?’
On the walk home, I got a call from Luke. He told me that he’d agreed to go with Kerry to stay with some cousins for a couple of weeks, almost until the end of the holidays.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘But Mum’s had enough of us hanging around the house all summer. She just suddenly snapped, I don’t know why. We thought Kerry might be a bit much for my aunt to handle on her own, so I said I’d go too.’
‘I’ll miss you,’ I said.
‘I’ll miss you too.’ We lingered on the phone for a few more minutes, not saying much.
When Luke hung up, I felt even more down. Zoe had her wish and we were rid of Kerry, but that meant I’d lost Luke too, for a while. Not that Zoe would care about that.
When I got home and put my key in the door, I could hear Mum and Dad laughing. Dad was back, then. I peered into the living room. They were fussing over a huge golden Labrador dog that turned and gave a deep bark when he saw me.
‘What’s going on?’
‘This is Barney,’ said Dad. ‘I’m supposed to be looking after him for a friend.’
‘What – here?’ I gave Mum a questioning look. She wasn’t mad on dogs. And we definitely couldn’t afford one.
‘Just for a little while,’ Dad said.
Barney padded up to me, his tail wagging rhythmically. He nuzzled my leg and I felt his warm, moist breath on my fingers as I reached down to stroke him. ‘Hey, Barney,’ I said. I swear he smiled.
I caught Mum and Dad sharing a glance. ‘We thought – maybe you could keep him in your room at nights,’ Mum said.
‘He’s used to kipping on his owner’s bed,’ Dad said. ‘And it might make you feel a bit safer.’
I knelt down to get to know Barney a bit better. ‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘He’s gorgeous. I’ll give it a try.’
We took Barney out for a walk. I had the dog on his lead, pulling me along and my other arm linked in Dad’s. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so safe. ‘This was a brilliant idea,’ I said, laughing as Barney tugged me forward and we had to half-run to keep up. ‘Doesn’t his owner mind?’
‘It’s not for long, so don’t fall in love with the daft mutt. But it might get you past these horrible nightmares you’re having.’
When I wanted to go to bed, I took my mug of hot chocolate and clicked my fingers for Barney to come with me up the stairs. He leaped up and followed. But after a few steps, he stopped and pricked up his ears, staring straight ahead.
‘Come on, boy,’ I urged him. ‘Bed time.’
I got him to follow me as far as the landing. Outside my bedroom door, his body went rigid and he began a low, steady growl.
I swallowed. ‘What is it, Barney?’ I pushed at the door and felt the familiar cold air waiting for me. The dog’s growl grew louder. His whole body was vibrating. I took a shivering step into the room. Barney turned and threw himself towards the stairs, letting out a howl that seemed to shake the whole house.
Mum and Dad flew out of the living room, jumping back as Barney darted between them. ‘What the –’ Mum ran out of words.
‘He won’t go in the room,’
