Chapter 31: Charles Primrose

CHARLES PRIMROSE

Francis smiled at Prue, even though he was so weak that he could barely breathe.

“Hey … be brave… Everything will be all right.” He spoke in starts when he was having trouble breathing. Prue couldn’t speak for fear she’d start sobbing and then she wouldn’t be able to stop.

“Thought it might be a good moment … to tell Mum about … whose fault the scar really was.”

She glanced at his brown eyes, the scar, his brow beaded with sweat.

He winked. “Kidding, Sis.”

“You better be.” She smiled.

“And that time you … made me go on to the roof.”

“That was you!”

“Was it?” he said with a wry smile. “Take care of that hoppity wrench … won’t you?”

Prue, Dad and Mum took it in turns to stave off the fever with cold flannels and sleep. The doctor said nothing could be done, but Prue hoped with every fibre of her body until that very last moment that she was wrong.

It happened during the night. Mum and Dad were asleep, Mum in the chair and Dad with his head resting on Mum’s leg. Prue was lying on the bed beside her brother when the silence she feared most in the world fell.

Prue pressed the button.

There was a sonic whoosh of air, as the pulse radiated towards the stag-men.

Prue forced her eyes open. Like dominoes, the stag-men fell, from one line to the next. As each dropped, it stabbed her heart, like watching Francis die all over again, the pain hot and fierce as lava. As the last line fell, Prue looked for Primrose, but couldn’t see him. Had he run? She rushed from the window, down the stairs and from the tower towards the fallen stag-men. She nudged the bodies, checking their spirits were gone, until she saw why Primrose had seemingly disappeared.

He too had collapsed with the blast.

She crouched beside him. “Craftsman Primrose?”

He wasn’t moving. What had happened?

A few metres away, Master Woolstenbury was pushing herself up from where the stag-man had dropped her. She stared at Primrose.

Edwin and Agapantha rushed over.

“What’s the matter with him?” Edwin said.

Master Woolstenbury signalled to Master Sollentude. “Check these creatures have really all gone.”

Master White stumbled over to them, her face pallid. “Charles?” she said.

“Help me roll him on to his side,” said Master Woolstenbury. Prue and Agapantha helped her, then Master Woolstenbury carefully lifted his clothing. “Get me a spirit lamp!”

Edwin ran to fetch one and Master Woolstenbury examined Craftsman Primrose. A faint line ran down his side.

Prue could hardly believe it. “He was a personifate!”

“It certainly seems so,” said Master Woolstenbury, glancing at her.

“What?” said Edwin aghast.