The Cradle of All Worlds. Jeremy Lachlan

to her desk and pulls a small decanter and two crystal glasses from one of the drawers. She pours a dash of golden liquid into each. ‘Just as I am following mine.’

      ‘We should’ve stopped him.’

      ‘You cannot stop what is meant to be, Jane, any more than you can stop the moon from rising.’ Winifred downs her glass in one gulp, places the other in front of an empty chair across the desk. ‘Drink. It will help ease the pain in your hand. And your head.’

      ‘It smells disgusting. More special herbs?’

      ‘Whisky.’

      ‘Oh.’ Who gives whisky to a fourteen-year-old? ‘Thanks, but I’m . . . trying to cut back.’

      Winifred shrugs. ‘Very well then. Let us talk about your path.’

      ‘My path?’

      ‘Of course. You are the hero of this adventure, whether you like it or not.’

      ‘Look, I just want to get my dad back –’

      ‘And therein lies the adventure.’ Winifred pulls a crummy green rucksack from behind her desk and flings it at my feet. ‘There is a towel in there. I was unable to find any clean underwear or socks among your belongings while I collected your father, but I did salvage a clean tunic and a pair of trousers. It may not be the best attire for the quest you are about to –’

      ‘Quest? No, no, there won’t be any quest, okay? Listen, thanks for rummaging through my underwear drawer and –’ I pull a chunk of bread from the rucksack, spot a few dates in there too – ‘thanks for the snacks. But as soon as things calm down outside, I’m going up the Stairs, getting my dad and taking him back to the basement.’

      ‘It is not going to be that simple, and you know it. Every moment of your life has been building to this, Jane. You will enter the Manor, yes, but not via the Sacred Stairs.’ She places the key on her desk – must’ve picked it up before following me out of the Town Hall. ‘You must take this. Keep it safe. I have returned it to you, and with you it must stay.’

      ‘Returned it to me? Meaning what, exactly?’

      ‘Meaning I took it from you when we first met, and now I have given it back.’ Winifred sits down, leans back in her chair. ‘I was there, Jane. The night of the first quake. The night you and John came to Bluehaven. I was the one who found you on the Stairs.’ She nods at the empty chair. ‘Sit for a moment. Please. There are things you need to know.’