Emily Feather and the Enchanted Door (8 page)

“You were so tiny,” Ash muttered. “This tiny, delicate little thing. I thought it was just an old blanket, you know? But then I heard you laughing.”

“Laughing?” Emily stared at him in surprise.

“I know. You were chuckling away to yourself. You were watching the leaves, I think. It was windy, and you were under a willow tree; the branches were moving. And then when I came closer you smiled at me, and you held out your arms, as though you wanted me to pick you up.” He was silent for a moment. “So I did.”

“There really wasn't anyone else there?” Emily asked quietly. “No one watching?”

Ash shook his head. “No, Emily. I'm sorry.”

“Did you make up my birthday?” Emily said, her voice very small. Somehow it seemed important.

“It's the day I found you. We knew it couldn't be your real birthday – we found a nurse to look at you, and she said you were about three months old, at least. But it was the day we wanted to remember.” He looked at her worriedly. “Was that wrong?”

“No… It would be worse if it was just a day you picked out of nowhere. I think.”

“Even though you're upset with us now, I'm still glad I took you,” Ash told her fiercely. He was back in his everyday form now, but his eyes sparked and glittered as he stared at her, sharp lights burning deep in the blackness, in a way that definitely wasn't human. “I could feel it as I picked you up, how loving you were, how much you needed someone to love you. And we do, Emily. However different we all are.”

“I know you do.” Emily swallowed. “Do I have to leave?”

“What?” Eva pulled Emily up to face her. “What do you mean?”

“Now that I know what you are. Does it mean I can't stay here any more?”

“No! No, of course not. We just have to be more careful, that's all. We have to make sure you don't slip through again.” She ran her hand lovingly through Emily's black curls. “We should have explained the doors to you years ago, but the time just went past so quickly.”

Emily frowned to herself. There was a lot more she wanted to ask, but she was so tired her bones ached. And hungry. Starving, actually. “We never ate the cake,” she murmured.

“I did eat a bit of it,” Robin admitted. He went red as everyone stared at him. “Only a little bit! When you were taking so long to find out where Emily had gone. It was just sitting there.” He glared at them. “Don't look at me like that! I was worried, and it made me feel better. It's a
really
good cake, Ems. Yum.”

Emily stood up and hauled her mother up after her. “I bet he had about half of it,” she said, almost shyly. “But wouldn't you like some?” She hesitated. “You can really eat it, can't you? You aren't just pretending?”

“I
can
eat it, and I would love some,” Eva sighed. “I promise we'll explain everything, Emily. Some things might be hard, but we'll try. But I'm not moving until you understand the most important thing.” She threaded her fingers into Emily's hair, around her face. “You belong here. With us. And I promise that you always will.”

Emily nodded, trying not to sniff. She knew it was true. Maybe it was a spell, making her so sure, but she didn't care. “Will I ever go back?” she asked, laying one hand over her mother's and glancing hopefully at her father, and Lark and Lory.

Eva looked at Ash, and shrugged, a helpless little twitch of her graceful shoulders. “Ems, I want to say no. I know how dangerous it can be for humans, even though it's also a wonderful place. I want to wrap you in a blanket and tie you to the sofa so you can't go anywhere near any of the doors…”

“But you've got a horrible feeling that it won't work.” Ash folded his arms. “Never, ever on your own. You have to promise us that, Emily.”

“Oh, I do.” Emily nodded eagerly. “I'll wait…” She turned back, running her fingers gently down Lark and Lory's wings, and shivering delightedly as the warm magic poured through her. She could see it shimmering in the air, like dust motes in sunlight. It tasted sweet – like her own sort of magic.

Emily smiled at her sisters, and then at Robin and Ash and Eva, as she headed for the stairs. “I absolutely need that cake now.”

 

 

HOLLY has always loved animals. As a child, she had two dogs, a cat, and at one point, nine gerbils (an accident). Holly's other love is books. Holly now lives in Reading with her husband, three sons and a very spoilt cat.

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First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2013

This electronic edition published by Scholastic Ltd, 2014

 

Text copyright © Holly Webb, 2013

 

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Cover illustration © Rosie Wheeldon, 2013

 

eISBN 978 1407 14663 8

 

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