Read The Shade of Hettie Daynes for Free Online

Woollard points out that this could be highly dangerous, and expects all students of this school to stay well clear throughout the four months it will take to complete the project.’ She folded the note, handed it back to the kid who brought it, scanned the class. ‘Is that quite clear to you all?’
    It was. Harry would be sightseeing regardless, but he grunted and nodded like everybody else. The Head’s reputation as a disciplinarian had earned him the nickname ‘Well ’ard’, but he lived a long way from Wilton Water. If a couple of kids went roaming its shores on dark winter evenings or foggy Saturday afternoons, how the heck was he going to know?

TWENTY-ONE
    AS MISS TATE was reading out the Head’s note at Rawton Secondary, Bethan’s teacher clapped for attention at Wilton Primary. ‘Listen, everybody.’ The hum of voices faded, all eyes were on Miss Newbould.
    ‘Hallowe’en is a week on Friday. That’s only twelve days away, so it’s time to start thinking about our costumes for the Hallowe’en Hop. There’s to be a competition, with a valuable prize for the most original outfit.’ The teacher paused, then went on. ‘Remember, I said the
most original
. You’re not likely to win if you come as a witch or a wizard or a skeleton or a vampire, because that’s what most people tend to come as.’ She smiled. ‘The challenge is to think up something a bit different. Our Chair of Governors will be judging the competition, and that’s what he’ll be looking for.’
    ‘Miss?’ Alison Crabtree raised her hand.
    ‘Yes, Alison?’
    ‘Miss, is it all right if I come as—’
    ‘Whoa!’ Miss Newbould broke in. ‘Don’t
tell
us, Alison, or somebody might copy your idea. Keep it to yourself, ask your mum to help with the sewing, surprise us all on the night. All right?’
    ‘Yes, miss.’
    Morning break. Bethan and Alison strolled round the edge of the playing field, talking. Bethan looked at her friend.
    ‘So what’s this brilliant idea for a costume, Aly? I won’t copy, honest.’
    Alison smiled. ‘I know you won’t, silly.’ She put her lips near Bethan’s ear and whispered, though nobody was close. ‘Hettie Daynes.’
    ‘Hey,
brilliant
!’ Bethan grinned. ‘You know Hettie’s an ancestor of ours, of course. Mum says she used to tear her clothes. You could get a long skirt from the charity shop and rip great holes in it . You could mess up your hair and put muck on your face. And
I
know – you could come barefoot, that’s
dead
original.’
    Alison nodded. ‘I know. You don’t mind, do you? With her being an ancestor, I mean?’
    Bethan shook her head. ‘Course not. I’ll mention it to Mum, but I’m sure it’ll be all right.’ She smiled. ‘At least you won’t need to practise looking barmy, Aly – you do already.’
    She skipped sideways to avoid a slap.

TWENTY-TWO
    MONDAY, FIVE FIFTEEN . The Midgleys round the table, eating spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce. Bethan looked across at her mother. ‘Mum?’
    ‘Yes, love?’
    ‘You know the Hallowe’en Hop?’
    Christa nodded. ‘I know
of
it, yes. Week on Friday. You’ll need a costume of some sort.’
    ‘Yes, only I haven’t decided what to go as.’
    Her mother smiled. ‘Isn’t that what the Americans call a no-brainer, sweetheart? I mean, girls go as witches, right?’
    ‘Well yes, Mum, but you see it’s a competition, to see who can come up with the most original costume. A witch outfit might be original at somebody’s
wedding
, but not at a Hallowe’en Hop.’ She pulled a face. ‘There’s a totally awesome one, but Aly bagged it.’
    ‘Alison
Crabtree
?’ Christa sounded surprised.
    Beth nodded. ‘Yes, she’s going as Hettie Daynes.’
    Christa set down her fork and whispered, ‘She’s going as
who
?’
    ‘H . . . Hettie Daynes.’ Bethan could tell by her mother’s expression, the softness of her voice, that this had not gone down well. She gulped. ‘What’s up, Mum?’
    Christa gazed at