Read Online Magnus Fin and the Moonlight Mission by Janis Mackay - Free Book Online Page A

lot better. He could breathe, think and walk. He studied the sky. The afternoon light was already fading. He had missed a whole day at school.
    He got busy, pulling his rain trousers and life jacket out of the cupboard. According to his moon-phase calendar, low tide was in four hours time. He didn’t want to miss that. He needed Frank and his mother out of the way. He grabbed a sheet of paper and quickly wrote:
    Kaylay on in village hall. You should go. You’ll meet people and Fin says it’s great. I am OK. Tarkin.
    As for steering a boat, there was nothing to it. Tarkin had seen where Frank left the key for the starting motor. It was hanging up on a nail in his shed. And the shed was unlocked. If Fin got into trouble Tarkin would be right there on the sea, with a blanket, and sweets, and a torch. And even if it was a bit scary out alone on the dark ocean, Fin would only be gone a few minutes in human time. Tarkin was zingy with excitement now.He was going to be in on this adventure. He wasn’t just going to sit on a rock chanting and eating toffee. Oh no. He was going to take a boat out to sea and help the selkies – even if they did put a curse on him.
    He posted his note through the living-room door then jumped back into bed.
    “What a good idea, honey,” his mother said two minutes later, waving his note.
    “Wanna come with us, buddy?” asked Frank. The adults stood together, framed in Tarkin’s bedroom doorway, smiling anxiously.
    Tarkin shook his head and pointed to his throat.
    “He needs to rest, Frank,” said Martha gently. “A sick boy can’t dance.”
    Tarkin nodded vigorously and pointed to the pillow.
    “But we can’t leave him on his own,” said Frank.
    Tarkin folded his hands under his cheek, meaning he’d be fast asleep. Then he pointed down to the village, meaning they should go there and dance.
    “I’ll ask Rena next door to keep an eye on you, honey,” Martha said. Then she kissed Tarkin, ruffled his hair and left him. He could hear them in the hallway discussing what they’d wear.
    “Think I’ll wear my plaid pants,” said Frank.
    “I’ll wear my kilt,” said Martha.
    And I’ll wear a life jacket , thought Tarkin, as darkness fell and the moon slowly rose over the water.

Chapter 15
    “Magnus and Aquella are coming with us to the ceilidh. Don’t they look lovely?”
    Ragnor nodded. They did.
    “Thing is, Barbara,” said Aquella, after doing a twirl in her new green dress, “we just need to visit Tarkin first. He’s not well. Then we’ll come as soon as we can.” This was not strictly a lie and Aquella smiled her sweetest smile. Fin nodded in agreement.
    Ragnor flashed him an anxious look. Remember to heed your instinct, son .
    Fin glanced at his father and nodded. “You look grand in a kilt,” his father said, and winked.
    Magnus Fin ate three helpings of shepherd’s pie. He’d read how food is converted into warmth and energy. He’d need warmth. He’d need energy. It was the last day of November. No one swam in the sea in the north of Scotland on the last day of November. He munched on.
    “Tuck in, son,” said Barbara, “you’ll need lots of energy for dancing.”
    Ragnor, chewing slowly, looked at his son. “Aye, Fin, you’ll need lots of energy right enough. Tuck in.”
    After supper Magnus Fin lay on his bed, so stuffed he couldn’t move. He had to loosen the buckle on hiskilt. He could hear Aquella downstairs. She was doing Barbara’s hair and chatting. Ragnor was doing the dishes. Fin felt so full he was sure he would jump into the sea and immediately sink. For the hundredth time he glanced at his watch. Half an hour to go.
    Fin could hear sounds drifting up from the living room. His parents were going for a drink before the ceilidh. They were putting coats on and laughing, calling up to him to send their love to Tarkin and see you later at the dance. The front door opened then closed. He heard their footsteps on the path. He heard their voices on the