The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [17]
Eventually he fell asleep.
A tapping on the window woke Jack. His head hurt and his eyes didn’t want to open. Reluctantly he got out of bed to investigate. When he drew back the curtain there was Camelin perched on the window ledge about to tap the window again with his beak.
‘Rise and shine!’
It was obvious Jack had been asleep. He was sure Camelin was pleased he’d woken him.
‘What do you want at this time in the morning?’ grumbled Jack as he opened the window.
‘I’ve got a message from Nora. You’re invited for lunch so you can come round straight after breakfast. She’s already asked your Grandad and he said it would be fine.’
Jack stifled a yawn.
‘Don’t forget to bring something with you,’ added Camelin.
Without waiting for a reply he flew off in the direction of Ewell House.
It was still early but Jack decided to get up instead of going back to bed. Last night he’d found two loops on the spine of his Book of Shadows where his wand could be stored. He made sure it was securely in place before putting it into his backpack.
He could tell Grandad was impressed when he walked into the kitchen.
‘I’m glad you’re up and dressed early,’ he began. ‘You’ve been invited over to Ewell House for the day.’
Jack was about to say he already knew and only just managed to stop himself in time. Explaining to Grandad that he’d been told by a talking raven was probably not a good idea.
‘I’m glad you’ve made a friend already,’ Grandad said as he started breakfast. ‘If you’re going to be out I can crack on in the garden. There’s a lot to do.’
Before Jack left he went back into the kitchen. There wasn’t any cheese in the fridge and he hoped Camelin wouldn’t be too disappointed. He searched around the pantry and found a piece of fruitcake, which he wrapped up and put in his backpack.
‘I’ll see you later,’ he called to Grandad, who was already working in his vegetable plot.
The shortcut through the hedge didn’t seem as bad as it had the first time and it hadn’t been difficult to find. It wasn’t long before he was standing at the bottom of Nora’s garden.
Before Jack took another step he heard a muffled but familiar croaky voice.
‘This way.’
He looked around but he couldn’t see Camelin.
‘In here.’
Jack caught a glimpse of Camelin’s head from behind Nora’s rockery.
‘You took your time, I’ve been waiting ages. You didn’t forget did you?’
‘No.’
‘Come inside.’
It was like a small cave and perfectly dry. Jack crawled in. He could see why he’d been invited. Neither of them would be seen from the house.
‘This is great!’ exclaimed Jack.
‘It’s safe in here. What the trees can’t see or hear can’t get reported back. What have you brought me?’
‘There wasn’t any cheese but I got you some cake.’
Camelin’s eyes grew wide when he saw the size of the package Jack produced from out of his backpack. Once it was unwrapped, Camelin began to attack the cake and gobble it down greedily. Then he delicately and slowly picked up every last crumb until nothing was left.
‘You can bring me something every day in return for your flying lessons,’ he announced.
‘You’re not really going to teach me to fly are you?’
‘How else do you think you’re going to get through the window in time? We’ve got to fly.’
‘But I’m a boy. It’s not possible.’
Camelin began to laugh.
‘You won’t be a boy when you fly, stupid. Nora’s got to turn you into a raven first, just like me.’
Jack’s mouth fell open.
‘How?’
‘She’ll take you up Glasruhen Hill and do a special ritual at the Raven’s Bowl. You’ve heard of the Raven’s Bowl haven’t you?’
Jack shook his head. He’d only heard of Glasruhen yesterday.
‘Of course you’ll have to be naked.’
‘Naked!’
‘You won’t need your clothes when you’re a raven!’
Camelin laughed as he hopped out of the cave and flew off.
Jack needed time to think. Why hadn’t he been told yesterday about the ritual? He didn’t mind helping but there was no way he was being turned into a raven, especially