mother would like you to stay one more night Anyway, I'm going to leave it up to you," said the Spook. "Either bring the girl back and we'll bind her inthe pit, or take her to her aunt in Staumin. The choice is yours. Use your instinct for what's right. You'llknow what to do.' Then he was gone, leaving me with my head whirling. knew what I wanted to doabout Alice, but it had to the right thing So I got to eat another of Mam's suppers.Dad was back by then, but although Mam was happy to see him, there was something not quite right,a sort of atmosphere like an invisible cloud hanging over the table. So it wasn't exactly a celebrationparty and nobody had much to say.The food was good though, one of Mam's special hotpots, so I didn't mind the lack of conversation -l was too busy filling my belly and getting second helpings before Jack could scrape the dish clean.Jack had his appetite back but he was bit subdued like everyone else. He'd been through lot, witha big bump on his forehead to prove it. As for Alice, hadn't told her what the Spook had said but I feltshe knew anyway. She didn't speak once during dinner. But the quietest one of all was Ellie. Despite thejoy of having her baby back, what she'd seen had upset her badly and I could tell it would take somegetting over.when the others went up to bed, Mam asked me to stay behind. I sat by the fire the kitchen, just asl had on the night before l went away to begin my apprenticeship. But something in her face told me thisconversation was going to be different. Before, she'd been firm with me but hopeful. Confident that thingswould work out right. Now she looked sad and uncertain ve been delivering County babies for early twenty-five years,' she said, sitting down in her rockingch