Wind from the west whipped the treetops into a breathy susurrus, driving the women faster.
Suzette felt pushed, urged by dry fingers to a place and fate that was pregnant and black and waiting. She wondered again, as she had since her mother told her about Pritam’s death, if this was just another part of Quill’s plan.
‘What a trio we make,’ said Katharine as they strode side by side. Three women: one stern-eyed and pretty, one lean and quite beautiful, the other sliding into attractive late middle age, all with hair pulled back sensibly as they trotted with a fork or spade in hand and grim purpose on their faces.
Laine smiled. ‘Are we mad?’
Katharine slid a sure eye back. ‘Oh, yes. It’s good, isn’t it?’
Suzette recalled Nicholas’s words from days ago — days that felt like weeks. I thought you just liked gardening, he’d said. That was. . what? Hemlock and mandrake and double-double-toil-and-trouble shit?
‘Fire burn, and cauldron bubble,’ said Suzette. She looked at her mother. Katharine held her gaze and gave a small nod. It made Suzette smile.
‘That’s us,’ said Katharine. ‘Three witches armed by Bunnings.’
Laine let out a small laugh, but her smile soon evaporated.
The word ‘witch’ seemed to scare them all. They were silent, perhaps sharing the same thoughts. Where was Nicholas? Still in the woods? Had he found Quill? Had she found him?
The night was young but cold, and something was shifting on the air. Suzette noticed Katharine watching the sky, and followed her mother’s gaze upwards. Clouds, heavy as slate and swollen like the underbellies of diseased beasts, were rolling across the sky. Rain was coming. Heavy rain.
‘Do you feel small?’ asked Katharine. ‘I feel very small.’
By the time they reached Carmichael Road, their faces were toneless shadows.
‘What are those cars parked there?’
Suzette and Katharine followed Laine’s grey eyes.
On the dark strip of grass bordering the black trees were several cars.
‘I don’t know-’
Red and blue lights flashed on, dazzling the women, and a siren hoo-hooed once in warning.
‘Ladies?’ called a man’s voice. ‘Please step over here.’