Holly, Forgotten: A Sprig of Holly, #3

By J. A. Clement

Who has enchanted Holly's parents, and why?

A month short of her graduation ball, Holly gets an unexpected visitor.
Leoflyn tells her there is trouble - of a magical kind.
Her parents cannot see any of their magical friends.
But who would do such a thing and why?

Holly returns to the mountain, only to find that they do not know her either.
Trouble is in the air, and Holly must delve into her heritage to break the spell.
But this is far from the end of the story...

Follow Holly as she takes the first steps along a path which will lead her far beyond everything - and everyone- she knows.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Weasel Green Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781908212498

J. A. Clement

J.A. Clement lives near London with her partner and a lunatic lurcher pup. She writes her fantasy series whenever she can, mostly in her lunch hour (which probably explains the excessive number of bacon sandwiches that have to be edited out later). Her "To-Write" list is as big as your "To-Read" list. ***For a free ebook of short story "The Locket", as well as advanced warning of new releases, sign up to her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/WLfLH *** She's also happy to be contacted by readers via email at jaclement [dot] ondarkshores [at] gmail [dot] com and will answer any questions she can without spoilers. She does love a good gossip with fellow bookworms. You have been warned...

Book preview

1

Q uick, it’s getting away!

Cutting across the meadow to her lodgings, Holly stopped at the sound of yells from the copse nearby. Two dogs erupted out from behind the trees in pursuit of something small and furry, a group of boys behind them.

Is that Mrs McCready’s cat? Holly ran to the back gate and opened it; the creature shot through the gate into the garden and Holly slammed the gate behind her just in time. The dogs skidded to a stop, jumping and baying.

Oi, you! Open that gate! one of the boys shouted as they ran towards her.

Holly did not flinch. This is private property, and Mrs McCready will box your ears with a vengeance if you don’t leave now!

The boys ran right up the the gate, but Holly did not move. They grumbled and cursed between themselves, but Mrs McCready was known throughout the town for her fiery temper and strong arm, so soon enough they hauled their dogs away the way they had come.

Holly watched them out of sight and then checked under the bushes for Mrs McCready’s cat. Brown fur? That isn’t a cat. Is it a hare? It was and, Holly suspected, a hare she knew well. Leoflynn? Are you all right?

The hare lay panting. It quirked an ear in her direction, but did not move.

Holly tipped the bundles out of her basket and stuffed them in a pocket. She settled the hare in the basket and carried it inside, careful to avoid the notice of the fearsome Mrs McCready on the way.

Once in her own room, she lifted the hare onto the bed. She filled a saucer with fresh water from the jug on the dresser and set it down near the hare. Well, if you are not Leoflynn you are the tamest hare I’ve ever met.

Once its breathing slowed, the hare moved over to the saucer and lapped at the water.

Holly went on, half-addressing the hare, half thinking aloud. I haven’t seen you for ages, not in hare or human form. She frowned. Leoflynn’s visits to her home in the mountain valley had always been sporadic, but she had never come into the town. Perhaps it is only a tame wild hare, after all. But Holly did not think so.

She bustled around the room, unwrapping her purchases. I’ve been out buying things for the end of term ball, look – satin dancing shoes and these. She opened the packet of ribbons and held them up against the dress she had hung up on the back of the door. Do you like my dress? I made this, you know. She stroked the green silk, admiring the rich folds of the skirt. I don’t think it will look like anything the others are wearing but I really don’t like the fashionable ones. There’s more frills and lace on them than on a grand-dame’s mob-cap!

It’s beautiful—you always look stunning in green.

Holly turned to see her great aunt sitting on the bed, youthful as ever, and ran to give her a hug. Leoflynn! Are you hurt?

Leoflynn laughed. "I’m fine, thank you; just out of breath. The dogs caught my trail just outside the town, so