Pulling The Wool: A Magic Garden Mystery (Book 1) by Demy Watts Page B

quickly shut it behind her. Fern sighed. You wouldn’t guess that spring was around the corner with the cold front of weather still hovering about.
    Pinching her eyebrows together, Fern sat back in the armchair, pondering on the news.
    Hearing the sound of scratching she looked up to see her cat bounding elegantly down the stairs.
    “Meaowwwww.”
    “Hi, Essie.”
    “Ugh, dear girl. You do know I’m not partial to being called that, right?”
    Fern held her hand up in mock surrender as she watched him stroll across the room to Zinnia’s vacant seat. In one effortless leap, he settled himself quite comfortably onto the chair.
    “My apologies. I must remember to address you by your proper name. Lord Cameron Spencer Essington IV, Earl of Thackery . There. Is that better?”
    “Hmmmm. I agree, it does tend to be a bit of a mouthful. I suppose Essie is okay. So much better than that awful Joey name they called me at the shelter . Anyway, pray tell, why do you look so worried?” Fern watched as he groomed his paws.
    “I think I’m a suspect in a local crime.”
    He immediately stopped mid lick. “Tell me everything. And speak properly, please. I can’t bear the mumbled talk of humans.”
    “I don’t mumble, Essie.”
    “All humans do. Now, do continue.”
    Fern relayed the facts that Zinnia told her.
    “So, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that Sir Chesterton Pince-Wittington’s, prized sheep are being poisoned - one by one, and no-one knows who’s committing said heinous act?”
    Fern nodded. “Yes and because it’s Azalea poisoning, I’m automatically a suspect too!”
    “Well, that’s nonsense.”
    “Quite. I agree, of course.”
    She watched as he resumed his grooming. Fern didn’t like to interrupt as he often told her that some of his best ideas came to him whilst he concentrated on preening himself. Finally after a few minutes, he spoke.
    “You’ll have to talk to the animals, Fern. Discover what they’ve seen. And clear your name.”
    Fern shook her head. “I don’t know if I can , Essie! I mean I can talk to you fine, but-“
    “You’re concerned that your powers only work because I was once a human.”
    Fern nodded miserably. “Exactly.”
    “Look, I know you haven’t been most successful in your endeavours with animal conversation thus far, but I think you should work on developing this skill. Most of the time, animals are just as freaked out when a human can understand them, as humans would be if they realised animals could speak. Keep trying, dear girl.”
    Fern looked at the roaring fire. “Okay, Essie. I’ll give it another go. If I recall correctly, they have a couple of barn cats on the property.”
    Essie visibly shuddered. “Barn cats. The lowest of the low.”
    “Lord Cameron! That’s rather snobbish!”
    “Yes, dear. I’m aware of that, I can’t help it, although I do try. But trust me, they’re vicious .” He looked at her with sorrowful big amber eyes and Fern immediately softened. It must have been hard to be in-between worlds. Lord Cameron was cursed by an ancient Warlock and spent the past few centuries loitering around his family’s old holdings. Fern had rescued him from a shelter a few years ago and he was the happiest he’d ever been since his curse.
    “Okay, I’ll figure out how to get to the cats…It can’t be that hard to persuade them to try and talk to me.”
    “Indeed. Failing all that, I’m sure a tin of prime tuna will go far in exchange for information.” Essie jumped off the armchair and stretched out his paws against the rug. “Speaking of which, what’s for dinner tonight?”
    “Home-made mackerel and tuna casserole?”
    Essie began to purr loudly, circling and rubbing himself affectionately against her legs.
    “Just purrrfect, Fern!”

Chapter Two
    F ern woke early the next morning, with a knot in her chest. She hadn’t slept well all night, and sick of tossing and turning, she gave up the battle for sleep.
    Slipping