Katharine Corr - The Witch’s Kiss Trilogy

Leo just glared at her.

‘I s’pose at least you eat fairly healthily. Fancy an apple?’

‘Huh?’ Leo raised his eyebrows. ‘I guess, but—’

‘Here you go.’ Merry reached into her bag and pulled out an apple. A small, withered apple, with a spot of mould on one side.

‘Grim. I’m not eating that.’ Leo backed away.

‘No? OK then.’ Merry looked around to make sure they were still alone. ‘What about this?’ She held the apple out, repeated the words Gran had drummed into her – Gaelic words, she thought, but she had no idea what they meant – and waited.

Like one of those accelerated nature films in reverse, the fruit began to rejuvenate. The mould disappeared, the wrinkled skin grew smooth and plump again, and within two minutes Merry was holding a glossy, red apple. She offered it to Leo.

‘Fancy a bite?’

Leo tapped the apple with his fore finger.

‘What the – that is just – it’s amazing, I can’t—’ He picked the apple up, smelt it, opened his mouth and— ‘Is it poisoned?’

‘What?’ Merry shook her head. ‘No, of course not. Why would it be poisoned?’

‘Well, apples in fairy tales … you might have turned into the wicked queen.’

Merry laughed. ‘I think that would make you Snow White. Too bad I’m fresh out of magic corsets. But you do see what this means, don’t you?’

Leo crinkled his forehead.

‘Er …’

‘The spells must be working better because I’m happy, Leo. And I’m happy because … because I got to spend a bit of time with Jack. On my own.’ She felt the blood rush into her cheeks and looked away. ‘I admit it. We … had fun together, the other evening. So maybe—’

‘Oh, no. I see where this is going.’ Leo gave the apple back to her. ‘I’m sorry, Merry, but it’s too dangerous.’

‘But Leo …’

‘You’re not spending any more time on your own with Jack.’ Leo put a hand on her shoulder. ‘Trust me, it’s for the best.’

But the day after next fate intervened, in the shape of Leo’s best friend, Dan. Dan had turned eighteen about seven months ago, but he was only now having a party – a joint twenty-first with his elder brother. Their parents were really pushing the boat out; hiring a local hall, a band, caterers, the works. Leo had said yes to the invitation ages ago. Still, when he realised, on the afternoon of the party, that Merry was going to have to go to the lake without him, he nearly changed his mind.

‘I’m just not comfortable with this, Merry. Perhaps I should stay. Or – or maybe we could go to the lake first, then if the King of Hearts turns up quickly I could get to the party later. Or—’

‘Leo, relax. You can’t miss any of the party – Dan will be really upset. Besides, it’s going to be fine. I’m probably just going to keep working on the magic I’m trying to do with the lake. Jack can watch a film on my laptop, or something. And I’ve got so much studying to do …’

Leo hesitated, but he didn’t want to let Dan down. So now Merry was standing in the car park by the woods, and Leo was about to drive away. He lowered the car window.

‘I’m really not happy about this.’

‘I know. But it’s only for this one time.’

‘Huh. Will you promise me you’re not going to do anything stupid?’

Merry sighed. ‘Leo, you’re not my dad. I know how to look after myself.’ She pointed at her chest. ‘Witch, remember?’

‘Yeah. Trainee witch, prone to random magical … outbursts—’

‘It’s been over a week—’

‘—dealing with something completely out of her league.’

‘Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.’ Merry turned and began to walk into the woods, but Leo called after her.

‘I’m just trying to take care of you. So do me a favour, and remember what Jack sometimes is. You’re not on a date.’

‘I know. I know .’

‘Really? Did you look at yourself before you left the house?’

And with that Leo drove off, churning up the gravel as he accelerated away.

* * *

So, he was angry, Merry thought to herself as she made her way down towards the lake. But he was also being completely unreasonable. She’d dressed exactly the same as she always did for these outings. Hat and scarf. Heavy jacket. Jeans and a jumper.

Well, her new skinny jeans instead of the old ripped pair. And a new, fine-knit V-necked sweater instead of the comfortable baggy one she generally selected. But still.

So maybe she was wearing a bit more make-up than she usually did. And some scent. But that didn’t mean –

Damn. The butterflies in her stomach, that unmistakable mix of nervousness and anticipation – clearly, some part of her brain had decided she was going on a date.

Merry pulled her phone out of her pocket – wondered whether she would have enough time to get Leo to take her back home so she could change – shoved the phone away again.

She knew what seemed to be happening between her and Jack couldn’t last. But where would be the harm in pretending, just for a little while?

She might be dead before the autumn.

One more evening. Was that too much to ask?

At the lakeside, Merry spread the picnic rug on the grass and sat down to wait, huddling close to the portable heater. In theory, it was spring. There should have been drifts of bluebells in the woods, almost ready to flower, the vivid green of new leaves on the beech trees. The evening air should have been warmer.

But instead, it still felt like winter: damp, cold, dead. Puddles left behind by the endless rain were now thickly glazed with ice. The bizarre weather was gradually spreading north and west, affecting more of the country. The forecasters were talking about the jet stream and the Gulf stream and cold air being sucked down from Siberia; Merry wondered what they would say if she told them it was all due to a dark wizard, trapped under a lake in Surrey.

She got out one of her history books and a torch. Her exams were a little over two months away now; if she was still alive at that point (and maybe she would be, just maybe) then she wanted to do better than last summer. And by herself this time, without relying on magic. She managed to ignore the fluttering, fizzing feeling in her stomach, and got about halfway through a chapter on the European Reformation before the water formed a vortex and Jack stepped out on to the grass.

Merry spoke the words of command: he crumpled to the floor. She carried on reading – glancing at him occasionally, studying the length of his eyelashes and the curve of his lips – until he woke up.

‘Hey.’ She shut the book. ‘How are you feeling tonight?’

‘Well, I thank you.’

‘Good.’ Merry noticed Jack looking around. ‘Oh, it’s just me tonight. Leo – he’s going to a birthday party.’ Jack still looked blank. Merry had been speed-reading articles on Anglo-Saxon England, but trying to bridge a fifteen-hundred-year time difference was still almost impossible. ‘It’s like … a special feast, to celebrate someone being a year older. Do you understand?’

‘I think so.’ Jack sat down next to Merry and studied her face. ‘I am glad. I have been waiting for this: the chance to be alone with you again.’

Merry felt her face flush.

‘Me too.’

Jack lifted Merry’s arm and slowly kissed the inside of her wrist. His skin felt hot against hers; almost feverish. He reached forwards to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and Merry noticed his hand was trembling a little.

‘Are you sure you’re OK?’

‘Yes. Of course.’

Merry raised her eyebrows. Still, if Jack said he was OK … she leant in to kiss him.

But Jack pulled back. ‘Not yet … I have something to tell you first.’