It was so odd it made her dizzy to think about it.

But a silvery timeless light was around her now. She could smell flowers, a rich overpowering scent of roses and lavender. The Crow gave a kek kek of excitement. ‘We’re near the garden! I know it!’

Then Seren’s face came out into the light. She gave a whoop and pulled herself over the lip of the well and collapsed into the grass.

Tomos fell next to her.

The Crow hopped off.

For a moment they all gasped and panted. Then Tomos stared. ‘I don’t understand. We’re back where we started!’

‘No.’ The Crow looked around at the grassy hill and the moonlit sky. ‘We’re not quite. It’s upside down. Inside out. Though I’m not sure which way is west.’

‘You’ll have to follow me.’

The Crow turned. ‘What?’

‘I didn’t say anything.’ Seren looked at Tomos. ‘What do you mean, follow you?’

Tomos was checking the Box was safe in his satchel. He looked surprised. That wasn’t me.’

‘Well, it wasn’t me,’ Seren said.

‘Nor me,’ the Crow snapped.

‘It was me.’

They all looked at each other.

Then they looked down.

Seren knelt, and parted the high grass.

‘About time,’ the tiny voice said crossly. ‘I’ve been waiting here ages.’

11

Zigzag cracks

Lake and roses, tower and bell,

is it time to break the spell?

A small yellow mouse sat among the grass stalks.

‘Hello,’ Seren said. She had decided that it would be what she always said to talking beasts from now on.

‘Good evening,’ the mouse said, politely.

The Crow hopped nearer and inspected the mouse closely with its bright blue eye.

‘Don’t even think about it,’ the mouse snapped.

‘About what?’

‘Eating me.’

‘Kek kek,’ the Crow said, annoyed. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it, but unfortunately I’m totally unable to do it. Luckily for you.’

‘Good.’ The mouse’s voice was as tiny as it was, but immensely self-assured. ‘Of course, I’m under the protection of the Swan. So it would be a really bad idea. Well, there’s no time to lose. But first, did you know you’re being followed?’

‘WHAT!’ The Crow jumped up in its fury. ‘STILL?’

Seren looked at Tomos. ‘They got through that thicket?’

‘Must have.’

‘Someone is climbing up the well at this very moment.’ The mouse flicked a self-important whisker. ‘We need to move.’

It jumped up on Tomos’s coat, ran down his sleeve and into his pocket. Its head popped out.

‘All right. Let’s go!’

Tomos grinned.

‘Across the field that way,’ the mouse ordered. ‘And run!’

Tomos ran. Seren raced after him, the Crow flapping along behind. But before they had even reached the orchard on the far side of the field the mouse squeaked, ‘Too late!’

Seren looked back. A pair of long white hands had appeared over the top of the well.

‘They’ve caught up,’ she gasped. ‘At least…’

The Crow screeched to a halt. ‘This time I’ll really sort Them out … Tomos, the glass pyramid.’