The search for Merlin Homes 8/15

The little group discussed plans while eating their dinner. Eventually they decided to fly back to their starting point, which they could now plot on the map and then work out a proper search pattern from there. Moggy agreed with the decision as well, but then he was only really interested in two meals a day and snacks if he asked for them and they could be provided wherever the scooter went.

Once they’d returned, Jennifer Jane took the scooter as high as she could while still being able to see the magic field at the end of the garden. Then she flew away sideways until she could only just see the shine on the horizon.

“Now if you look to the left, then I’ll look to the right and that way we’ll cover a wide strip of ground quite quickly. We’ll keep going until we reach the coast then turn round and go back the other way for the same length of time as it took to travel out.”

Morwenna agreed, “After all it’s your scooter and you seem to know what you’re doing!”

In fact they actually had to turn and head back along the next wide strip of their search, before Morwenna suddenly shouted.

“Got one, well done kid!"

They had decided to make the scooter invisible in future, so that they could have a good look around before landing. They flew low over fields where ordinary looking villagers were engaged in a normal day’s work. The cottage was certainly one of the Merlin Homes type, but appeared a little out of place amongst a row of perfectly normal looking farm workers cottages.

“The owners must be witches or wizards,” said Morwenna, “I’ve never heard of any one else owning one. After all what would be the point? Let’s land in the front garden and see what happens, we’d have the scooter handy for a quick getaway if we need it.”

Nobody appeared to take any notice, as the scooter became visible on the front path leading to the cottage. So Morwenna got off and walked the short distance to the front door, a young child answering her knock.

“Mum there’s a lady here to see you, she wants to know if you own this place!”

The woman who came to answer the call couldn’t have looked less like a witch. She was dressed in normal peasant costume complete with a well used and none too clean apron that she was drying her hands on as she came to the door. Two smaller children were hanging on to her skirts and looked round their mother as she talked to Morwenna. She seemed to be a typically overworked and harassed peasant mum.

“My husband owns the house, but he’s out working at the moment. As soon as it’s dusk he’ll be coming back with everyone else in the village and he’ll want his supper. You can join us if you like, we’re having rabbit stew tonight and you can talk to him then.”

Morwenna turned and beckoned to Jennifer Jane, who parked the scooter on the path at the side of the cottage leading to the back garden and then carried Moggy indoors.

“Have you lived here for very long?” asked Jennifer Jane.

“Oh yes, Jack’s granny used to own this place, but she died suddenly in an accident and he inherited the cottage. We’d only just got married and this was a lovely place for us to come and live. Ah, that sounds like Jack now! Come into the parlour dear,” she called loudly, “we have some guests!”

Jack looked shyly round the doorway to see if the guests were important. He seemed reassured and came into the room carrying a large sack that looked as if it might contain wool.

“Don’t you come in here with that filthy sack! Take it into the workroom and go and wash your hands, then you can come and meet our guests, they’re staying for supper and want to ask you some questions. Men!” she continued, “they’re all the same, no idea any of them about keeping the place clean or tidy.”

Jennifer Jane laughed out loud. “My mum says exactly the same thing about my father!”