“I do. I was twenty—it was two years ago.”
“Well old enough to know better.”
“Yes.”
“Did someone put you up to it? Were you tricked?”
“No. I was just . . . curious.”
“Aboutdemons,Shepard?”
“I’m curious abouteverything,Mrs. Bunce.”
“Dr. Bunce. And I’m curious to hear how you think you’re getting out of this predicament?”
“I don’t think I am.”
“What?” She’s pulled away, and she’s looking down her nose at him.
“I think I’m well and truly fucked. Just like you said.”
She glares up at him. “I was onlyinsultingyou, Shepard. I was trying to make you feel so bad about your actions that you won’t repeat them; it’s a common parental tactic. Youarewell and truly fucked, but I don’t intend toleaveyou this way.” She smiles at him, just a little.
He’s so grateful for it that he smiles back widely. “Thank you, Dr. Bunce.”
Mum tucks her phone in her pocket. “Now, let’s see your wand. Is it compromised, as well?”
“I don’t have a wand, I’m not a magician.”
She jerks her head up at him and then at me. “You’re not a magician? What are you? You don’t smell like a pixie. No offence.”
He laughs. “I’m a Talker. I mean—a Normal. I figured that was obvious.”
Mum’s got her wand pointed at him before her chin has finished dropping.“Let bygones be bygones!”
Shepard lurches back like he’s been shoved.
“Rock-a-bye, baby!”Mum shouts.
Shepard slumps forward. Mum and I catch him.
“Mum! What are you—”
“Penelope Leigh Bunce, have you lost your mind?”
“Haveyou?”
“You brought a Normal into our house?!”
“Mum, he needs help!”
“All Normals need help!”
“Mum—”
“You told him aboutmagic? About ourfamily?”
“If you’d justlisten! Shepard is my friend. He helped me through—Well, I found myself in a very dicey situation . . .”
