Highest Hill

By Jackie Williams

Highest Hill once used for sacrifice has been dormant for a while. But unrest between witches and demons has relit the flame. Young Bertram neglected and bullied is caught in the middle.Is he really just an ordinary boy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie Williams
• Release date: Feb 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466114395

Jackie Williams

My parents brought me up with a huge love of reading. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. Romances were the fuel for many a teenage fantasy and my passion still lingers for deliciously smouldering heroes.My daughter persuaded me to write my first book. She wanted one with all the exact ingredients just for her. She loved the tale so much that I published A Perfect Summer. Writing has turned into a grand passion. I couldn't stop at just one book and so I began another. Fifteen books later, I am still full of ideas. Historical romance is now my favourite genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist. 

Book preview

Highest Hill

Published by Jackie Williams at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Jackie Williams

Cover art by Gemma Lewis

****

Highest Hill

Chapter One

Bertram Cole aged eight, hated school. He hated the endless taunts hurled at him from his class mates, and the abuse he suffered from his teachers.

Bertram was an only child. He lived with his parents on a farm overlooking Cross-Green Village. He could see the village and the little school from certain areas of the farm. On weekends he would look down at the small people scurrying about like ants, and wonder if their lives were anything like his.

At home he was allowed to roam, so he often wandered up to Highest Hill, a place once used for human sacrifices by a coven of witches, so the legend goes. Bertram would look for insects on his way, collecting them in a jar. Though his favourites were the small dead animals he would sometimes find. On Highest Hill, stood an old oak tree, that had been struck by lightening an age ago. A large hole had been torn out of its trunk. Bertram found this to be an excellent place to store his collection. There, he would sit and play for hours, removing the teeth of small creatures, while chatting to his invisible friend.

Bertram's parents spent little time with him. He had to fend for himself. Though his parents did ensure there was a regular supply of food in the cupboards. After all, all they thought about was the farm and their home made supply of Scrumpy Cider. Sometimes they would put the old tin bath in front of the fire, fill it with hot water, and allow Bertram to bathe. But his baths were few and far between, therefore, he was almost always dirty and smelled of the farmyard. His black hair was greasy and unkempt, his skin a grimy grey colour and his clothes oversized and dirty. Bertram's overall appearance resembled that of a street urchin.

Chapter Two

Monday morning arrived too soon. He lay in his bed thinking what taunts the day would bring, a tear escaped his eye, he quickly wiped it away. Sighing, he jumped up and hurled his blankets to the floor. His problems at school was his parents fault, why didn't they listen to him! They only had to do the normal parent things. He didn't ask for much, in fact he didn't ask for anything. There was no point, they never acknowledged him.

Damn you to hell, Mum and Dad! he seethed through his clenched teeth.

He dressed and went downstairs, his parents were asleep in their armchairs at either end of the smouldering wood fire. His father, with head bowed snored like a grunting pig, his mother made strange squeaking sounds through her nose, while blowing invisible bubbles through pursed lips. Bertram stood watching them for a few moments, turned, and made himself some breakfast. After he ate, he picked up his school bag and walked to the door. Turning back he took another look at his parents, opening the door quietly he stepped outside, then slammed the door hard behind him. He heard his mother shriek and his father hurl obscenities, before running as fast as his legs would carry him. He giggled all the way down the hill punching his fist in the air. He felt good.

The usual group of boys were waiting outside the school gates. Bertram felt his heart beating faster. He guessed that they had something planned for him, they always did. He walked slowly to the gates, his head bowed, if he didn't make eye contact with them, maybe they wouldn't notice him.

Two black boots appeared in his vision, Bertram stopped. The right boot started tapping.

Where do you think you are going, pig boy? The harsh voice demanded.

Bertram did not lift his head.

I'm talking to you! Yelled the voice, followed by a hard shove that sent Bertram staggering backward into a crowd of children.

He looked up. As he did, a fist hit him hard just above his left eye. The pain stunned him and he crumpled to his knees. Before the black boot that he saw out of the corner