The Chocolate Magic Cozy Mystery Box Set Books 1 to 7 Read online

  “He is sending this on email but —” he paused for dramatic effect. “The older wood is dated from seventeen forty-nine.”

  “Seventeen forty-nine?” Magda repeated and he nodded and picked up his Aunt Alison and twirled her around the room. When he put her down, he told them that the loft beams dated from eighteen fifty.

  “A real piece of history,” Magda breathed. “How wonderful.” She turned on the tablet and put into the search engine ‘Kilkenny in seventeen forty-nine.’ Her eyes scrolled over the screen and then she stopped and went back.

  “Sam,” she pointed at the screen. “Am I reading that correctly?” He sat and read down the page and looked at the others.

  “It says that there was a witch burned. No names or details but a record of someone being burned at the stake.”

  “So, she did exist, and she was burned for being a witch.” Magda went back to the screen but could find no more information. She put in the search for a man called Carty in seventeen forty-nine, but nothing appeared.

  “The horror saw his wife killed and took off with his rich lover.”

  “But who took over the cottage?” Alison asked.

  Magda went back to the search and keyed in ‘cottage by the waterside, Kilkenny, seventeen forty-nine’ and said “Gotcha.”

  “What?” Alison asked and Magda pointed to the tablet, scrolled down the list of names on the census and read out.

  “Occupied by Seamus, the butcher.”

  “No surname,” Alison added and watched as Magda typed in Seamus Carty, butcher, seventeen forty-nine.” There was silence as she read the folk tales that were printed about a man called Seamus Carty, who was a butcher by trade but a follower of Satan and who terrified the local population.

  “I have to call Barbara and tell her what we found,” Magda said and picked up her cell. Sam called Jonno at the same time and a few minutes later, Jonno and Branna were knocking at the door.

  “Tell me this all over again, please,” Branna asked and they went over the whole thing.

  “Tomorrow night, we will have another session with Barbara and Jenni. Maybe the bad force down there is Seamus.”

  “I’m scared but excited,” Branna said.

  “Can I see this paper that you found under the floor?” Jonno asked Irene and she went off to fetch the box. They all looked at the faded newspaper that recorded the stealing of garden artefacts in nineteen twenty.

  “This is completely different to the tales about Belinda and now Seamus,” Jonno remarked. “Almost two hundred years difference.”

  “And we have no idea why anyone would be searching Irene’s house for them,” Alison added.

  “Maybe they weren’t even looking for these papers at all,” Sam said.

  “But there was nothing else that could have been of any interest,” Irene answered. “Nothing valuable or any papers or anything. Patrick only ever went to the local pub for a drink and watched football on television.” Then she added that she meant soccer for the benefit of the visitors.

  “It has to be this but why? Maybe we’ll never know.” Sam put down the paper. “The paper does talk about the locals knowing that there were still some people who followed demonology in the area, but the investigation seems to have been left at that.”

  “There are always some people that evil appeals to. At least the bad stuff seems to be under the ground and not in the house,” Magda remarked.

  “Maybe we can get rid of him down there as well,” Branna added. They made their way to the door saying that they would meet up the next evening and Branna gave a shout and jumped over the mess that was on the doorstep.

  13

  As it happened, the mess was just paint, but looked suspiciously like blood.

  “Who could have sneaked up in broad daylight, when there were lots of people in the house, and sprayed paint on the doorstep?” Sam reflected. He looked around and realized that there would be no witnesses. The neighbor’s house could be seen but there was a field in between and trees. On the other side it was open country.

  “But we never heard a car,” Alison pointed out.

  “Too risky for anyone on foot,” Magda added and then wondered if they had come from the open field side and not from the road at all.

  “I should tell the Garda,” Alison said and pulled out her cell phone. She spoke and nodded and told the others that Donnelly was on his way. To preserve the scene, they stepped carefully and went back inside. Jonno and Branna said they would get out of the way and left.

  Donnelly arrived with two forensic people and left them to try and find any clues as he asked what had happened.

  “It still looks like someone is trying to frighten you,” he said to Irene. Then Jonno and Branna returned and told him that there were two bicycles at the end of the road that looked as if they had been thrown into the bushes. Donnelly went off to see what they had found. Then he sent Branna and Jonno back to ask the forensic people to come and work on the discarded bikes.

  When Branna came back into the cottage with Jonno, she told the rest that she had spotted the rim of a bicycle wheel, so Jonno had reversed the car to take a look, and that is how they had found two bikes.

  “I guess it’s easy to steal a bike and then throw it away,” Magda said. “The police will know if any are reported stolen.”

  “If they were taken from the town, there might be security cameras,” Sam added. “Stop worrying, Irene,” he went on as he saw she was biting her lip. “You are safe and there is nothing for them to find.”

  “Except that bloomin’ newspaper from ages ago. Maybe I should burn it.”

  “And make it known what you have done,” Branna answered. “Someone knows what is happening because you only got it back today.”

  “That’s a point. I wonder if we could plant some fake news,” Sam mused.

  “Bikes would seem to indicate young people,” Alison remarked.

  “Anyway, we’ll see you tomorrow night,” Jonno said and he and Branna left again.

  Nothing more happened for the rest of the day, Irene relaxed, and Magda spent some time online telling her friends back home the latest news. The next day went much the same way and the evening approached for the second séance.

  They had all learned from the previous time and wore warm coats and rubber boots. Everyone had flashlights as well as the crystals and candles that Barbara and Jenni brought along. They left Irene and Alison comfortably watching television.

  “This place is starting to feel really familiar,” Branna joked and they all carefully made their way to inspect the old wood of the original cottage.

  “Fascinating,” Jenni said. “I suppose this was above ground when the cottage was built.” They went back to the cave and set up the chairs as they had before. Jenni lit her candles and the flames were steady. Barbara asked if everyone was ready.

  “Have you got the pendant with you?” she asked Magda who held it up and then slipped the leather thong over her head. She said nothing but could feel a slight shiver in the stone as it lay against her chest. She reached for Sam’s hand and he looked at her. He knew Magda so well and could sense that she was slightly nervous.

  “Is there anyone out there who will talk to us please?” Barbara started. “Is the girl who was here before still here? Come forward and make a noise to let us know you can hear me.” She waited and when there was no response started again. Then she asked Magda to call out as well.

  “Hello. If you were Belinda’s friend, please talk to us. We mean you no harm.” There was a definite buzz from the pendant. “I’m wearing the pendant that I think might have been Belinda’s. It’s telling me that you are near at hand. I can feel it shaking. Please talk to me.”

  “Did Belinda have a stone and crystal pendant?” Barbara asked. “I have lots of crystals but the one in the necklace is special.”

  “I work with candles and crystals as well. Please talk to us,” Jenni joined in and Branna pointed out that the candle flames were moving i
nstead of going straight up.

  “She is here,” Barbara said.

  “Hello. Did you live with Belinda?” Magda asked and after a pause there was a slight noise from the back of the cave.

  “Was this cave and the cottage above the ground then?” Magda asked and was rewarded with another noise.

  “Did you live here after Belinda died?” Barbara asked and another noise replied.

  “I wish we knew your name,” Branna said and Barbara smiled and said that she was getting a picture of the letter A.

  “Does your name start with A?” Magda asked.

  “Anna?” Barbara added and there was another noise.

  “Thank you, Anna. I’m Magda. Would you like to get out of here?” Another slight tap and Barbara said that she could feel that the girl was frightened.

  “Was it Seamus that lived here? Seamus the butcher?” Sam joined in and the candle flames flickered.

  “She is so frightened that it must be him that frightens her,” Barbara added.

  “Did Seamus come and live in the cottage?” Magda asked and there was a bang and then the wind started to blow. The candle’s flames twisted and turned and bent over in the wind and then they went out. A roaring noise filled the cave as Sam and Jonno turned on flashlights. The candles were lying on the shelf and some of them were on the floor.

  “Hold hands and hold out against him,” Barbara instructed. “Anna has gone.” She raised her voice. “Seamus Carty, is that you? Let us know if it is.”

  “Seamus Carty, the butcher who called up Satan,” Magda called out. Do you want us to leave here?” The wind blew in gusts and suddenly a piece of rock flew across the cave and smashed against the wall. None of the people had moved and Branna gasped out loud.

  “Big brave Seamus,” Sam said. “Frightening women and trying to call up the devil. Scratching my neck when you can’t be seen.” The roaring was enormous, and they were all suddenly worried. Sam let go of Magda and clutched at his arm as he felt a sharp pain.

  “Your pendant, Magda,” Jenni called out.

  Magda felt for the pendant at her chest. It was shaking like an engine and as she took hold of it, the crystal glowed. She stood up and held it out.

  “You have no power over this, Seamus Carty. You have to leave here. You are not welcome here. Go away to where you belong and leave Anna in peace.” Barbara and Jenni stood up together and Barbara called all of them to stand and make a circle.

  “Except Magda. You hold up the crystal in front of Sam.”

  Jonno was on the opposite side of Sam and suddenly he bent over grasping at his neck. There was a sound that was suspiciously like a laugh from the corner of the cave and Magda felt the tug of the crystal.

  “The crystal wants to point to where he is,” Magda called to Barbara.

  “Go in that direction,” Barbara answered and concentrated her mind on protecting everyone in the cave. “Seamus Carty,” she shouted. “You have to leave this place. Go now. Go to where you should be and leave this cave forever.”

  There was a howl of some sort from the corner of the cave and Magda bravely pointed herself towards it. Sam followed with his hand on her shoulder and she felt Branna link with her at the other side. Jonno saw what Branna was doing and followed suit. The four of them together were behind the pendant that was shaking like a leaf in a high wind and Magda was pointing it at where she thought the entity was standing.

  She felt Branna move alongside and add her hand to the pendant thong.

  “Go,” she said. “You touch Jonno Brady at your peril whoever you are,” she hissed and at that very moment there was another hiss and Jezebelle stalked into the cave. She walked on stiff legs straight in front of Magda, arched her back and spat at whoever or whatever was hiding in the shadows.

  “Go you horrible Satan worshipper. Go and never come back.”

  There was a definite scream of pain. Magda took another step forward with the pendant and the scream faded away and suddenly there was silence.

  “Oh, my Lord,” Jenni said as she caught Barbara in her arms before she crumpled to the ground. “She always needs water after a session.” They found a bottle and touched it to her lips.

  Barbara’s eyes fluttered open and she said they were all magnificent. She smiled a shaky smile as she sat up. “I should take all of you to every session I do.”

  “No thank you very much,” Branna said. “I was furious this time, but I don’t want to do it again.” She held out her hand. “Look. I’m shaking like a leaf.” Jonno wrapped his arms around her and she leaned against his chest.

  “We need to look at that neck.”

  “It’s not everybody who can say they’ve been attacked by a vicious ghost now, is it?” Jonno said. “I have my own special bodyguard.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Let’s just be quiet and check if he has really gone,” Barbara told them as they all sat down in the circle of chairs. All was quiet and Barbara called out.

  “Anna are you still there. Come and talk to us please.” Magda added her voice and Jenni called as well and, in the end, the nervous feeling that was Anna seemed to have returned.

  “Anna, we need you to tell us if he has really gone. We sent Seamus away. Can you tell us if he has gone?” There was no immediate response.

  “Seamus are you still here?” Barbara asked out and again, there was no response.

  “Please Anna. Knock once if you are listening to us.” Magda pleaded. She held up the pendant.

  “Belinda’s pendant protected us.”

  “She’s moved further in,” Barbara said. “Keep going, Magda.”

  “We know you’re there. We think he has gone. Knock once if you can hear me please.” They were beginning to despair when there was a distinct bang from beneath their feet.

  “Oh, thank you, Anna,” Barbara said.

  “Can you tell us if he has really gone?” Jenni asked and there was a slight knock.

  “The pendant was strong enough to defeat him. I wish I could thank Belinda.” Magda told the air around her and there was another slight noise. Barbara asked if Anna would like to go to the light now that the evil one had gone and there was a loud and definite thump from beneath their feet.

  “We’ll try and help you, Anna. Thank you for helping us,” Barbara said.

  “Thank Belinda for me,” Magda added, and they held hands as Barbara instructed and visualized the white light that Anna was trying to find. It seemed to take forever but Magda could see in her mind’s eye, that shaft of white light that led to somewhere peaceful.

  “Can you see it, Anna?” Barbara asked. “I can see it. The white light is there. Move towards it and let it make you happy.”

  “I can see it,” Magda said.

  “And me,” Branna added. There was silence and intense concentration and Barbara breathed out.

  “She is moving.” There was a warm breath of air that swept around the circle and the faintest scent of summer flowers. Then they all knew that Anna was safe.

  “She’s gone. Thank goodness. We did it, guys,” Barbara told them and they all took breaths that they hadn’t known they were holding and then all started to talk at once.

  14

  “To prove that Seamus has really gone, I am going to chip away at the old foundations. If he is around, he will come and try to hurt me,” Sam said.

  “I would like to see these foundations anyway,” Jenni told him. “The actual house that Belinda lived in is quite something.”

  They followed Sam into the stream channel, and he warned them to watch their heads.

  “There it is,” he shone his flashlight. “The corner of the original foundation.” When everyone had looked and cameras had flashed, he took a knife from his pocket and started to scratch some of the wood out of the log.

  “Come on, Seamus, if you are still lurking here. Come and try to stop me,” Sam goaded the spirit in an attempt to tempt him out but there was no response, no wind and no roaring noise, “He must have gone.
” Jezebelle stalked past them and disappeared upstream.

  “Good work, team,” Barbara told them. “A nice coffee would be very welcome.” Magda laughed and led the way to the well shaft. They climbed into the normal world and headed for the kitchen. Jezebelle was already there.

  “Well that was some experience,” Jonno said and sank into a chair.

  “Let me see your neck,” Branna ordered and he opened his shirt collar. Three large red scratch marks were across his skin.

  Alison brought something to clean it, but they thought it would disappear as Sam’s had.

  “Because although it looks real, it isn’t,” Barbara told them. “But that pendant has real power. It saved us all tonight.”

  “The power to protect true love,” Magda mused and smiled at Branna. Jonno managed to look faintly embarrassed.

  “Well, job done,” Sam said. “The evil butcher has gone to some awful place and Anna has escaped.”

  “We know how old the cottage is and when Belinda was alive and living there. We can make a feature of the well in the garden,” Magda added.

  “And use the history as a selling point to holiday-makers,” Branna remarked and glanced at Jonno. “We were wondering if you would need the place looked after when it is a holiday home because Jonno and I would quite like to do that.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Sam said. “I’ll need to be pointed to supplies for the building work and how the places are advertised over here.”

  “I think we might be visiting again really soon,” Magda said with a smile. “What a great excuse.”

  “Sorry to be a misery but I should get to bed,” Irene said. “I hate funerals.”

  “Oh, Irene, I am so sorry. We will all be there for you,” Magda told her. Alison told them that a small hotel was booked for a buffet afterwards.

  “And the next day, Ricky and I are putting the house on the market. I want a new start.”

  “That is a great idea,” Jenni said.

  “And she can stay here until she finds somewhere,” Alison added. The party broke up and everyone said goodbye.