The Irish Wizard

By Avril Sabine

Genre: Children's Urban Fantasy (9+ years).
Word Count: 24014
Thirteen-year-old Hailey spends far too much time following her older brother, Lachlan, into trouble. When her entire world changes she thinks at first it's something Lachlan has caused. But surely magic is beyond him, even though he's always wanted to be a wizard.
This story was written by an Australian author using Australian spelling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cracked Acorn Productions
• Release date: Dec 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781925617306

Avril Sabine

Avril Sabine is an Australian author who lives on acreage in South East Queensland. She writes mostly young adult and children’s speculative fiction, but has been known to dabble in other genres. She has been writing since she was a young child and wanted to be an author the moment she realised someone wrote the books she loved to read.Visit Avril's website to learn more about her and her many books. www.avrilsabine.com

Book preview

Chapter One

Hailey struggled to sit up in her bed as she pushed the tangled sheets away. She glanced around her room, trying to figure out if the loud popping sound had been part of her dream or an interruption. Nothing seemed out of place. Hearing other bedroom doors open and the sound of footsteps, she stumbled out of bed. Rubbing at her eyes, she crossed the room and reached for her door. Her family stood in the hallway, still in their sleepwear.

Hailey looked at her parents first. Her father had the same clear blue eyes and dark brown hair that both she and her fourteen-year-old brother Lachlan had. Her mother had sandy brown hair and green eyes. Both her parents looked as confused as she felt, so she turned her gaze to her brother who was a year and a month older than her. He always tried to use this as a reason why she should follow him into some of his crazier schemes. As if those thirteen months made him not only older, but wiser.

Hey, stop looking at me like that. I haven’t done anything this time. Lachlan held up his hands in protest.

And the sun is going to set before it rises today, James muttered. Come on, confess and get it over and done with. He ran a hand through his dark hair with a sigh.

You lot never believe me. Lachlan stomped back to his room, shutting the door hard behind him.

Hailey took a step back when their accusing eyes turned in her direction. It wasn’t me.

It was probably a car backfiring. We’re just not used to all the noises in this neighbourhood yet, Inez suggested. I’ll go down and get breakfast started. It’s probably time to get up anyway. The alarm went off in their bedroom as if to prove her right.

I’ll get that if you put the kettle on. James returned to the bedroom.

Hailey closed her door, glancing around again. Everything looked normal, but there’d been a sound. She just didn’t know what it had been. It was probably some prank her brother was playing on them and they’d soon find out what it was. She crossed the room to the window and drew the lavender curtains apart to let in more light. She froze, mouth gaping. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten then opened them again. She closed the curtains.

On shaky legs, she made her way to her bed and dropped onto it. I’m still asleep, she whispered. I’ll lay down and close my eyes. This is all a dream. She did as she said. Okay. Wake up. Time to wake up. Hailey sat up, eyeing the curtains cautiously. It took all her willpower to cross the room and draw the curtains open again. She leaned weakly against the window, the glass cool against her cheek.

I’m hallucinating. Hailey pushed away from the window, continuing to stare at the impossible. She took another step away from it, trying to figure out what to do. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she held it there for a moment. It felt a normal temperature, but maybe she should get the thermometer from the bathroom and make certain she wasn’t coming down with a fever. Didn’t people with a fever hallucinate? There had to be a perfectly normal explanation for this. The scene outside her window wasn’t possible. Stepping into the hallway, her gaze was drawn to her brother’s room, her eyes narrowing. This was probably something he’d done, although she had no idea how. She crossed the hallway, flinging his door open.

Hey! Knock. Lachlan finished buttoning up the shirt of his school uniform.

Ignoring him, Hailey moved to his navy curtains and drew them open. How did you do this? It had to be her brother.

I haven’t done anything.

She didn’t believe him. He’d had plenty of practice at using an innocent tone and expression over the years. Sometimes he even managed to get it right. Look. Just look out there. Then tell me you didn’t do it.

Lachlan crossed the room and stared out the window. He groaned. That’s not my fault. Drunks are always leaning against the fence so don’t go blaming me. I’ve got no control over it. Mum’s going to be raving about all the pubs in the neighbourhood again. I bet she doesn’t even let us wait on the footpath for the school bus. What does she think we are? Six-years-old?

Loch! Try and look beyond our yard and fence. Haven’t you noticed anything but the drunk? Hailey slowly shook her head. You can be so tunnel visioned sometimes.

Lachlan faced her. Is that a real word or did you just make it up? He turned towards the window again. Hey! The town’s gone. Wow. When Mum wished all the pubs would close down I bet she never thought they’d actually disappear.

You can drop the pretence. How did you do it? She wanted to beg her brother to tell her this was one of his pranks. The alternatives made her want to run and crawl into bed and pull the blankets over her head. And she hadn’t had that urge for nearly a decade.

Lachlan grinned, facing her again. I know I’m good, but even I’m not that good. This is so awesome.

Hailey looked out the window again. It was real? The scene before her was real? Where was the bitumen? The other houses? Cars going past on the street? How is this possible? Are you sure you didn’t do anything? How could it all have been replaced with trees, grass and lots of little hills? She opened the window, smelling only fresh air. Maybe it was real.

Positive. I wonder if Mum will let us go exploring. I really want to know where that dirt road goes. Look at that fellow that’s just come up over the rise. I wonder where he’s taking all those sheep. Lachlan turned away from the window. Let’s go downstairs and check it out. He took several steps away before stopping, a grin forming again. I bet this means no school today. I can get out of my uniform. He rummaged in his wardrobe and pulled out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the tangled pile of clothes lying beneath the empty coat hangers.

Dazed, Hailey retreated to her own bedroom to change out of her pyjamas. She automatically pulled on a purple t-shirt and faded blue jeans, still trying to understand what had happened. Nothing made sense. She grabbed a pair of socks and her favourite hat then returned to the hallway at the same time as her brother, still feeling completely dazed.

Breakfast, Inez called from the kitchen. When Hailey and Lachlan entered the kitchen and dropped into their chairs at the table, she glared at them. What are you pair up to? Back upstairs to your rooms and into your uniforms.

No point. Lachlan hurriedly swallowed his food before Inez could tell him not to talk with his mouth full. Got no way of finding it. And I don’t reckon they’ll send the bus all the way out here. Wherever here is. He grinned, sending Hailey a look.

Chapter Two

Hailey knew that look. Lachlan was planning trouble and he’d expect her to follow him into it. She always meant to tell him no, but somehow or other she usually ended up in the thick of