From the far bench come the first faltering notes of a popular song. Other voices join in, and soon the singing fills the space, the defensive town guns lending a muffled percussion to the stalwart choir. At length the artillery falls silent. The threat has passed them over. This time.

Bram’s father arrives and hurries up the metal staircase to the office. He opens his mouth to speak, no doubt to urge his son home, but changes his mind.

He knows me better now. He has learned more about me in my absence than ever he did while I was home.

Cardale senior holds out a telegram.

“This came for you, lad” is all he says.

Bram takes it from him and finds he has no reaction left to give when he reads that his next posting is to be in Africa.

Chapter 21

21.

Despite the stove burning and the soup bubbling in its giant pots, the kitchen at St. Mary’s is bitterly cold today. A cruel easterly wind has got up, strengthening over the past day or so, and it seems to force its way into this building through every gap it can find. Even as I hurry to help Sister Agnes set up the table, the exertion does not properly warm me. What must it be like for those with insufficient money to properly heat their homes? For myself, I know that part of the chill that troubles me resides inside, and comes from the dread I feel at the way in which the spirits suffer. They call to me so very often now, farther and farther from the usual places in which we used to commune. And they are so terribly distressed, I find it almost impossible to comfort them. There is to be a coven meeting soon, and I am undecided as to how to talk to the other senior witches about this. I would dearly welcome their help. Lord Grimes has been Master of the Chalice for many years, and he must surely have experienced something similar in other times of conflict. But I am concerned that my own actions have had more of an impact than I dare to believe. Perhaps the behavior of those in the Land of Night is indeed unprecedented. Perhaps it is my fault, and will be seen as such. Dare I raise the matter at the coven meeting? What would Druscilla say? She has already expressed her disappointment at my actions. Victoria, I think, understood. Others kept their views to themselves. To admit my fears that what I did has somehow caused lasting ill effects in the Land of Night … I cannot imagine how such an idea would be received. Nor if there is anything any of us can do about it.

“We are ready!” calls out Sister Bernadette, clapping her hands to alert everyone to the fact that the doors are about to be opened.