Page 66 of The Book of Unwritten Stories

‘It is?’ Morana was shocked.

‘Yes, it’s full of crap,’ said Lenny.

Morana laughed. ‘Well, it’s all that I have. I’m offering to do my best. You want us to sort this mess out that I made and I’ll go do it. I don’t need Dora’s help, I can manage on my own. It might be for the best.’ She turned and walked out of the door.

‘Go after her, Dora, she doesn’t know where Clara lives. She isn’t going to get very far.’ Lenny sighed.

‘I don’t know where Clara lives.’

‘Yes, you do. The brick house opposite the Witch House, not far from the apothecary. Second floor, zap your way in if you have to. Phone us if you need us, but I think we will only escalate things that you may be able to control because Clara doesn’t realise just how strong your magic can be when you put your mind to it.’

‘Thanks again, Lenny.’

* * *

Dora jogged out of the house after Morana, who was walking in the completely opposite direction to where they needed to go.

‘Hey, it’s this way.’

Morana stopped dead, then turned to face Dora.

‘What the hell have I got myself into?’

‘I wish I knew. It’s a lot, isn’t it? None of us signed up for this, but here we are.’

‘A lot? I feel as if my brain is about to explode from my ears, it’s wild is what it is.’

Dora reached out an arm, wrapping it around Morana’s shoulders, unsure if she would accept that level of human contact, but she didn’t shrug her off which Dora took as a good sign.

‘We’re sisters, we should help each other, stick together.’

‘Technically we are half-sisters, and I don’t know how I feel about it.’

‘You know, with your level of tact I could swear you’re related to Lenny and not me.’

Morana laughed. ‘She’s a piece of work your aunt Lenny, isn’t she?’

‘She’s tough, she had to be to do what she’s done all of these lifetimes to keep me safe.’

‘You’re lucky.’

Dora didn’t think she was lucky at all. She stared at Morana. ‘How do you figure that one out?’

‘You have a family that cares about you deeply. I’ve never had that my entire life.’

‘Well, now you have. You have me and my aunts. They are strange and extremely quirky, but they are the most wonderful, loving, kind, fun women that I know and they will love you more than you ever thought was possible. If you let them, if you let all of us.’

Morana blinked away the tears that were pooling in the corners of her eyes. All she had ever wanted was not to be lonely. For someone to love her for who she was with all her flaws. Just as she thought she had nothing to live for, she had found herself a whole family. They were weird and wonderful women, but they had been waiting to welcome her. It made her want to fall to the floor and sob with happiness. Maybe she could have her happy ever after.

FIFTY-THREE

They reached the huge red brick house that Clara’s condo was in. There were lots of people milling around outside the black painted Witch House opposite it – the house that never failed to send shivers down Dora’s spine. This time Dora ignored its pull and focused on the problem she and Morana had in front of them.

‘Do you think this Clara will give me my book back?’ asked Morana.

‘Honestly, not a chance. If you think Lenny is a piece of work, you haven’t seen Clara in action.’

‘I did a little, she’s cold huh?’