Page 42 of The Book of Unwritten Stories

Dora tutted, loudly. ‘Lenny,’ she growled to herself.

A sharp tap on the window made her jump up and bang her head on one of the open drawers she’d neglected to shut. Rubbing her scalp, she saw Hades outside, hopping from one foot to the other. He looked distressed. She opened the window and the crow strutted inside.

‘Trouble.’

Dora stared at him, eyes wide. ‘Who, Sephy, Lenny?’

He shook his head once.

‘Ambrose?’

Another small shake.

‘Then who is in trouble, Hades? You need to give me a little more than that.’

Dora could have sworn he rolled his eyes at her. Were birds capable of such a thing?

‘Trouble in trouble.’

‘Look bird, I want to help, I really do but you talk in riddles and I don’t have a clue what that means. Go ask Sephy or Lenny.’

This time he continuously shook his head. ‘Not the aunts, you, Dora. Need you.’

Dora’s legs gave way and she sat down on the chair; her jaw open wide.

‘What do you need?’

He hopped outside of the open window, and she shrugged. ‘Am I going insane? This morning I used magic to hide a bookstore from the world and now I’m following a talking crow to see who is in trouble.’

She rushed out of the door to follow Hades, who took off into the sky but not too high or too fast. Dora had to jog to keep up with him and she was glad he only went as far as the Ropes Mansion, because she had a stitch in her side and was panting hard. He flew around the back into the gardens, and she rushed in the same direction almost taking out a woman who was looking through the selection of books in the little free library.

‘Sorry.’

‘It’s fine, don’t worry.’ Her accent was British and she smiled at Dora, who smiled back then rushed down the steps to find Hades.

She spied him sitting on the branch of the huge tree next to the rear of the house, hopping from one foot to the other. As Dora approached, she saw a woman sitting on the top step of the porch. She had long black hair, was dressed all in black and if Dora had to describe her, she’d say she had a look of Morticia Addams. The woman stared at Dora. Quiet fury sparkled in her eyes that were a pale green colour not too dissimilar to her own.

‘What are you staring at?’ Morticia asked.

Dora looked up at Hades, who flew down and landed on the railing of the porch next to the woman.

‘Nothing, are you in trouble by any chance, do you need help?’

The woman glared at Hades, who glared back at her, then she turned to Dora. ‘Did that stupid bird tell you I was in trouble? Because if he did, I am not. So, you can just go back to wherever it is you came from and leave me alone. While you’re at it take that damn bird with you. He’s trouble. I never asked for a talking bird to come into my life and judge me.’

Dora bristled at her attitude. Stupid woman, who did she think she was talking to? She turned to walk away, but Hades swooped in front of her.

‘What are you doing?’ Dora hissed at him, but his eyes looked sad as he pleaded with her to stay. She shook her head and turned back around.

‘Look, I’m Dora and if Hades came into your life, there must be a pretty good reason for it. He’s not trouble and he’s the kindest bird there is.’

Morticia’s stare was icy cool, so cool a shiver ran down Dora’s spine but she held her ground. ‘What’s your name?’

‘None of your damn business.’

‘Strange name, but you know my aunts have probably heard worse. Do you go by none, of, your, damn or business?’

The woman’s nostrils flared, her eyes narrowed and then she snorted laughter that she immediately stopped. ‘For an annoying English woman, you’re pretty funny.’