Chapter 18

Pipsqueak waves me over into the back of the office and unlocks the door. We step into the forbidden dark room together. It smells musty, and the many cobwebs show no one has been in here for years.

The structure differs from the rest of the library, which has plastered white walls, whereas this room has bluestone walls and old wooden beams across the ceiling. There are old rickety wooden bookshelves filled with old books. Some are leather-bound, and some have steel clasps and jewels on them. We approach the table carved from stone. There are a few small, half-melted candles, with some matches nearby. Pipsqueak lights the three candles. We stand side by side and take in the old medieval room.

‘You start with those books, and I’ll start with these.’ I point.

‘But I don’t know what I’m looking for.’

‘How to break a curse?’

‘What are you getting m-me into?’ she squeaks. I sigh and decide that I can trust her, and it’s best to let her in on the secret.

‘You can’t tell anyone, okay?’

‘O-ok