The Crow gave a splutter of irritation. He hopped closer to the Swan. ‘Look this is all very well, and I’m delighted you have your cygnet back but, really, what about me? When are you going to take this spell off me? You promised and I really think it’s time…’

The Swan hissed.

It seemed to swell and grow fiercer.

The Crow flapped hastily back.

‘I made a promise and I will keep it,’ the Swan said softly. ‘But there is a difficulty. Are you certain – absolutely certain – that it was you who found my Egg?’

‘Ah. Er … well …’ The Crow threw a panicky look at Seren.

‘Or…’ the Swan swivelled its beautiful face to her, ‘was it you?’

Seren was silent. She had no idea what to say. If she said the truth the Crow might never be human again.

‘I um … well, the fact is…’ the Crow’s voice was strangled. ‘It’s not that straightforward…’

It was Tomos who spoke out. ‘Seren got it,’ he said suddenly. ‘She just went out and found it, all by herself. It was really brave.’

The Swan nodded wisely. ‘I suspected as much. So…’ She turned fiercely to the Crow. ‘The human girl found the Egg. The choice is hers.’

The narrow, black eyes, deep as night, regarded Seren. ‘You have a choice now. Whatever you want, anything, in all the world, can be yours now. Just ask me for it.’

The Crow gasped.

Seren felt as if she was dizzy. Anything in all the world! She could ask for anything! There was so much she wanted. She could ask for Captain Jones to forget about sending her back to the orphanage! She could ask for Them not to be at the Midsummer Ball and for Tomos and Plas-y-Fran to be safe for ever! She could ask for a thousand books and to be a writer and as famous and clever as Mr Sherlock Holmes. She could even ask for gold and jewels and to be as beautiful as the dawn if she wanted, though to be honest she didn’t care as much about those. Ideas went through her mind as swift as arrows.

They were all what she wanted.

She looked at the Crow.

The Crow looked back at her. He was completely silent. But she had never seen such a pleading in his jewel-bright eyes.

Seren sniffed. She tidied her hair and stood up straight. She felt as if what she was going to say next was the most important thing she would ever say in her life, and for a moment it scared her, because it would be final and she did really want those other things a lot. But when she spoke she made the words loud and clear. ‘I want the Clockwork Crow to be back in his right shape again. If you please.’

Enoch gave a great shout and Tomos clapped his hands and whooped.