Daisy: The Witch of Scraggy Bottom: Daisy Morrow, #14

By R T Green

Come and meet our Norfolk-based R.E.D. (Retired Extremely Daisy) heroine, as she dives headlong into a spooky tale of witchcraft and dark, dangerous secrets!

"One of the best cozy mystery series I've ever read!"

"A real breath of fresh literary air!"

Scraggy Bottom is the tiny Norfolk hamlet time forgot. It's where Maisie's sister Doris lives, with around fifty others. Nestled in a remote, wooded area, it found itself with a reputation because of the spooky and the unexplained things that seem to happen there.

Some of it might be to do with the village's resident white witch, Imelda, who uses her mystical powers to do good things. Sadly for her, one false move and all the good is wiped out in a single minute.

In that respect at least, Scraggy Bottom is just the same as everywhere else on the planet.

When Maisie returns from visiting her sister with a worried expression on her face, Daisy forces the truth out of her. Imelda is Doris's neighbour, and she's being persecuted because one of her spells took a drastic turn for the worst.

Maisie doesn't want to bother her friend, but Daisy begins to suspect there's more to what's going on than meets the eye. Or the crow's foot. Or the jackdaw's wing…

Daisy and Aidan decide to ignore the rumours and brave an investigation, but soon after they arrive in the remote hamlet it starts to become clear there's a bubbling cauldron of evil about to boil over.

And no one is safe.

Check out the entire Daisy series on the brand new rtgreen website. While you're there, have a look at our 1920's historical series too, 'The Sandie Shaw Mysteries'.

Take a break from the world around you, just for a while. Relax with a smile (or several!), and a truly original story. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wise Owl
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215284742

R T Green

The RTG mission in life is simple... to not be like everyone else! ‘Going Green’ has taken on a new meaning, in the book world at least. Whilst we applaud the original meaning (ebooks are a perfect way to promote that) we also try to present a different angle to it. The tendency these days is that if you don’t look and read like everyone else, you don’t sell books. Maybe there’s some truth in that, but we simply don’t do it. The RTG books have been described as a ‘breath of fresh literary air’, and, by those discovering us for the first time, ‘unexpectedly good’. We know many readers prefer the same-old same old, and that’s fine. It’s just not what you get from the RTG stable. Those who know about such things said it would take five years to become a proficient author... I scoffed at that. They were wise. It took six. It’s one reason why even today we remodel existing books, and will always do so. Right from the early years the stories were always good, but were put into words less well than they could have been! These days we have several series and a few standalones, the hit Daisy series most popular amongst them. In everything we do, the same provisos apply – Never the same book twice. If we can’t think up a good story, it doesn’t get written. The RTG brand is about exciting and twisty plots, a fast pace which doesn’t waste words, and endearing (sometimes slightly crazy) characters. We can never please everyone, but it works for us, and, it seems, for those who appreciate our work. Enjoy! Richard, Ann and the RTG crew

Book preview

Introduction

THE DAISY MORROW SERIES documents the slightly-crazy adventures of our R.E.D. (Retired Extremely Daisy) heroine... she’s fun, feisty, kind of wicked, and rather like the other RTG books, she will take you to places you never really expected to go!

This is Book 14... a spooky, spellbinding adventure -

Scraggy Bottom is the tiny Norfolk hamlet time forgot. It’s where Maisie’s sister Doris lives, with around fifty others. Nestled in a remote, wooded area, it found itself with a sinister reputation because of the spooky and the unexplained things that seem to happen there.

Some of it might be to do with the village’s resident white witch, Imelda, who uses her mystical powers to do good things. Sadly for her, one false move and all the good is wiped out in a single minute.

In that respect at least, Scraggy Bottom is just the same as everywhere else on the planet.

When Maisie returns from visiting her sister with a worried expression on her face, Daisy forces the truth out of her. Imelda is Doris’s neighbour, and she’s being persecuted because one of her spells took a drastic turn for the worst.

Maisie doesn’t want to bother her friend, but Daisy begins to suspect there’s more to what’s going on than meets the eye. Or the crow’s foot. Or the jackdaw’s wing.

Daisy and Aidan decide to ignore the rumours and brave an investigation, but soon after they arrive in the remote hamlet it starts to become clear there’s a bubbling cauldron of evil about to boil over. And no one is safe.

Enjoy!

Richard, Ann, and the crew

Chapter 1

AIDAN FOUND DAISY AT the back of the garage, furiously cleaning away the cobwebs and dust with a hand-brush.

‘Um... what are you doing, dear?’

‘Time to get fit, Dip. You joining me?’

‘What, after fifty years?’

She chuckled. ‘Aw... lost your bicycle clips?’

‘I’m not sure I could stay upright anymore.’

‘Nonsense, dear. It’s like riding a bike... if you see what I mean.’

‘Um... riding a bike might not be your best idea ever, Flower.’

‘Oh, stop being a killjoy. Anyway, it’s not been fifty years. More like thirty-five.’

‘Well, that’s alright then,’ he said, more than a little sarcastically.

Daisy stood back and gazed at her efforts. ‘There, good as new.’

‘Dear, if you really are intending to wobble around the lanes of Great Wiltingham, you should let me service it properly first.’

She shook her head at her husband’s probably well-founded caution. ‘No need. Apart from a few rust spots it’s perfect. And it’s still got two wheels.’

He threw his eyes to the garage ceiling. ‘I can see that. Just like it had thirty-five years ago.’

Daisy threw him a narrow-eyed stare. ‘So what are you saying?’

‘Just that technology and bicycle design have moved on a little since then.’

She gave him a peck on the cheek. ‘I realise that, galactic-brain. But I need to make sure the saddle doesn’t give me a sore bum first, before I fork out for a carbon fibre version.’

‘Oh dear. So now you’re Bradley Wiggins?’

‘Not at all. But my electric scooter is state of the art after all. I can’t let my personal transport side down, can I?’

‘I’ve still got a bad feeling about this.’

Daisy wheeled the old bicycle out into the sunshine of a late March morning, accompanied by a slightly-worrying squeak or two... for Aidan at least. A beautiful day, the weather was warmer than it should have been for the early spring.

Perfect for short test-ride.

She hooked a leg over the frame, and then grimaced to Aidan. ‘I think the saddle needs lowering, Dip. Someone must have raised it when I wasn’t looking.’

‘Maybe your legs aren’t as long as they used to be?’

‘I’ll ignore that. Legs don’t get shorter, dear.’

‘Let me lower it before you brave actually trying to ride it?’

‘No need. You can do it when I get back. I want to see how I get on first.’

‘Dear...’

Daisy stuck a trainer on the right pedal and the bike began to move forward. Very slowly. Undeterred, she went for gold and shoved both feet on the pedals. The bike still didn’t roll as fast as it really should. It might have had something to do with the gravel on the drive, which wasn’t exactly conducive to a problem-free test ride. Especially for someone who hadn’t ridden a bicycle for thirty-five years.

The front wheel flicked violently from side to side as Daisy tried to keep her balance at less than walking pace. Aidan narrowed his eyes, all too aware of what could well happen next.

It happened next.

One front-wheel flick too many, and then Daisy had to finally throw out a leg to steady herself. It was all just a bit too late. She ended up a crumpled heap on the gravel, the bike still between her legs.

‘Dear, this gravel is not ideal,’ said Aidan, helping her to her feet.

She grinned, her face flushed with excitement. ‘Exactly. I need nice smooth asphalt.’

‘Flower, you don’t mean... the road?’

‘You see any other asphalt around here?’

‘Well, no. But... the road?’

‘Okay okay, just to please you I’ll stick to the pavement. But when I’ve proved to us both I can stay upright, then it’s the open road. Deal?’

‘Well, um...’

‘Good. Please open the gate for me?’

Aidan shook his head, knowing his wife well enough to realise she measured her success by how many cuts and bruises she acquired in the process. He opened the gate, wondering if it would be better for his sanity if he didn’t watch the next few minutes.

Daisy wheeled the squeaky bike out onto the pavement, and turned left. The ground had a slight slope, and she knew if she started her ride from the highest point, momentum might help her reach balancing speed.

She was right. As the old bicycle picked up speed and the squeaks squeaked quicker, Daisy let out a delighted cry.

‘See, dear? It works!’

Aidan tried not to look as the bicycle flashed past the gate. He couldn’t not look. Faster and faster, Daisy and the unserviced machine headed quickly for the corner of Walcotts Lane.

‘Flower, maybe use the brakes?’ he cried in a slightly panicky way.

Somehow Daisy heard him. Sadly, it didn’t help. As she applied the rear brake, he watched in horror as the calliper fell apart, and bits of useless brake flew off the bike like random bullets.

‘The front brake, dear?’

Then something happened neither of them could have predicted. Someone appeared around the corner, right in the path of the out-of-control bicycle. Daisy did as suggested, slamming on the front brake frantically. This time it didn’t disintegrate. This time it worked... a little too well.

It was like a Scooby-Doo cartoon. As Aidan began to run towards the accident waiting to happen, the rear wheel lifted off the ground. Then kept on lifting. As Daisy let out a strangled scream the bicycle’s forward momentum stopped.

Suddenly.

Unfortunately the rear of the bike didn’t seem to want to stop moving. In super slow motion it lifted higher and higher, until Daisy had no option but to tumble over the handlebars, the bike dutifully following her downwards trajectory.

As Aidan reached the crumpled heap, one part of it shoved the other part off her. A dishevelled Daisy glared at her husband. ‘Why didn’t you tell me the brakes needed attention?’ she growled, rubbing her bruised forehead.

‘Actually, I did try...’

Daisy was about to retort, but then the someone who had just appeared around the corner spoke curtly. ‘Well... and they think I’m the dippy one around here.’

Daisy looked up to the voice, its owner shaking her head disbelievingly as she stood a foot away from the accident that actually did happen.

‘Oh hello, Maisie. Taking Brutus for a walk?’

Chapter 2

‘I REALLY CAN’T IMAGINE what you’ll get up to next, Daisy.’

She stopped rubbing the lump on her forehead. ‘Just wanted to get fit, Maisie.’

‘Fit? I might be a bit dotty but you don’t look very fit to me right now.’

Daisy lowered her bruised head. The voice was quiet, a little contrite. ‘Aidan didn’t tell me the brakes were dodgy.’

Maisie shook hers. ‘I’m sure he did. Like I’m sure you took no notice whatsoever.’

‘Well...’

‘And look at Brutus. He’s totally traumatised now. It will take half a dozen fillet steaks to calm him down.’

Daisy glanced to the furball, standing quietly on the lead, looking totally disinterested. ‘He seems fine to me.’

‘Yes well, I can assure you he’s not. We communicate telepathically, as I’ve told you before. He’s shaking like a leaf inside. I’d give him some fresh salmon but I’m all out.’

‘If you say so.’

Aidan helped Daisy to her shaky feet. ‘Let’s go back to the house, dear. Put this one down to experience.’

Daisy glared at him. ‘Experience? I can assure you getting tipped over the handlebars is one experience I don’t wish to repeat.’

‘Nor us,’ said Maisie sharply. ‘Getting run down by a crazy woman on a bicycle wasn’t something we expected when we left home.’

Aidan tried to smooth things over. ‘I’ll make coffee. Fancy one, Maisie?’

‘You must be joking. A stiff brandy might be more appropriate, to calm my nerves.’

Daisy narrowed her eyes at her friend. ‘Maisie? You don’t seem your usual happy self this morning?’

‘Do you blame me? Almost getting skittled tends to wipe the smile from someone’s face.’

‘I stopped, didn’t I?’

‘By some miracle.’

‘Actually it was a front brake that stuck on.’

‘Still you make jokes.’

Daisy’s narrowed eyes stayed being slits. ‘No. Something isn’t right, Maisie. Well, something else I mean. Come inside, I’m sure we can find a brandy somewhere.’

‘Very well... under protest.’

‘So come on. Tell aunty Daisy all.’

Maisie sipped her brandy, sitting on her usual stool at the island unit in the kitchen. ‘There’s nothing to tell.’

‘Maisie, I’ve not known you all this time without being able to see when there’s something on your mind.’

‘You’ve known me two years, Daisy.’

‘Okay, so I’m a quick learner. So spill, before I resort to the thumbscrews.’

Maisie looked up in horror. ‘Oh... you wouldn’t, would you?’

‘Just kidding, Maisie. I save those for Aidan.’

Aidan chuckled. ‘Take no notice. Having to watch my wife become one big bruise is punishment enough.’

‘I still blame you.’

‘How the hell is this my fault?’

‘You should have... okay, maybe it’s my fault after all.’

‘Really?’

‘Don’t look so surprised. I can admit when I’m wrong.’

‘Really?’

‘Do you still want me to spill?’ Maisie asked.

Daisy gave herself a mental slap. ‘Oh, sorry. Just banter. Yes please, do spill.’

‘It’s... my sister.’

‘Oh no. Is she ill?’

‘Nothing like that. Actually it’s her neighbour who’s suffering.’

‘Her neighbour is ill then.’

Maisie shook her head. ‘Aren’t you listening? I said she was suffering, not ill.’

‘People do suffer with illness, Maisie,’ Aidan tried to point out.

Daisy put a hand on her friend’s arm. ‘Just start at the beginning, dear. We are listening, even if it seems like we’re just insulting each other.’

It took Maisie a moment to find the words, unsure how to phrase things without confirming her reputation in the village. ‘Please just don’t think I’m crazy...’

‘We don’t think you’re crazy, Maisie,’ said Aidan, cringing inside a little.

‘You might after this.’

‘Just tell us,’ said Daisy.

‘Okay, but don’t shoot the messenger. My sister’s next door neighbour, Imelda, is being persecuted.’

‘Persecuted? Why?’

‘Well, you know Scraggy Bottom is a tiny place. Just fifty-odd residents now. It was a tight-knit community, until recently.’

‘What happened?’

‘I suppose you could say there have been strange goings-on lately. Well, stranger anyway. It’s not exactly your normal kind of place.’

‘Um... please explain.’

‘It’s the village that time forgot. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked through a portal into a bygone era.’

‘Surely not? In this day and age?’

‘Surely yes. And now the residents have turned on Imelda.’

‘Did she do something wrong?’

‘No... well yes, I suppose she did. But not intentionally.’

Aidan pricked up his ears. Living with Daisy, it sounded familiar. ‘So what did she do... unintentionally?’

The answer took a moment to come. ‘Um... one of her spells went wrong.’

Daisy’s eyes opened wide. ‘Spells?’

Maisie’s eyes dropped to her lap. ‘Yes. She’s a witch.’

Aidan shook his head. ‘That’s a bit unkind, Maisie.’

‘No, I mean, she’s a witch. An actual, real witch.’

Daisy swigged the last of her brandy, a little quickly. ‘Maisie, witches are just the stuff of fantasy and silly books and movies.’

‘You’ve not been to Scraggy Bottom, have you?’

‘No, but...’

‘Well trust me, witches do exist. Imelda is testament to that. Especially now.’

‘Especially why?’

‘I told you. One of her spells went drastically wrong. She’s a white witch, using her knowledge to do good. Well, usually.’

‘So what happened?’

‘I... I’d rather not say. The village residents don’t like outsiders knowing their business.’

‘But you’re clearly upset by what is going on. Surely we can try to help Imelda?’

‘I don’t think anyone can.’ Maisie stood up. ‘Thank you for the brandy... and for tumbling over the handlebars before you killed me. I have to go now. Brutus needs his walk and his steak.’

‘Maisie...’

Maisie wasn’t listening. Before Daisy and Aidan could ask any more questions the lead had been hastily clipped onto Brutus’s collar, and the two of them were heading out of the door.

‘Toodlepip! Just stick to walking in future, Daisy.’

Aidan shook his head. ‘We seem to have said the wrong thing, Flower.’

‘I think Maisie feels it was her who said the wrong things. Witches, spells, bygone eras?’

‘I suppose now you’re terminally curious?’

‘Insatiably.’

Chapter 3

‘WE HAVE TO GET TO THE bottom of this, Dip.’

‘Why? Maisie clearly doesn’t want us to.’

‘She’s just thinking of the Scraggy Bottom residents’ privacy. She’s not thinking about my terminal curiosity.’

‘Oh dear.’

‘Don’t be like that, dear. Imelda needs help, before she gets burned at the stake.’

‘Now you are in a fantasy world.’

‘Am I?’

Aidan shook his head and went back to sipping his hot chocolate in silence. Daisy pulled the bedcovers a little higher, thoughts of witches and bygone pagan eras making her shiver slightly.

‘I wonder just what Scraggy Bottom is really like?’

‘Flower, it’s a tiny hamlet eight miles from Fakenham. Just how much of a lost world can it be?’

‘It’s in the middle of a forest. Some people would say North Norfolk is its own little world anyway.’

‘Yes but...’

‘I’ll go see Maisie in the morning.’

‘That’s what I was afraid of.’

Daisy chuckled and kissed him on the cheek. ‘I would have thought your spirit of adventure would be fired up these days. If I can get Maisie to agree, I’d like to pay the village a visit.’

‘As I said, that’s what...’

‘Just make