The Pledge Chapter 5d

“Do I? Nope. Not at all, it's not my business.” Jack babbled. He was a bit shocked actually. He knew first hand with Lynne how strong a mother and child bond could be.

“Well let's just say she wasn't a model mother.” Ziggy shrugged.

“Are you all so openly explanatory here?” Jack laughed.

“As in 'shut up prattling on Ziggy?'.” Ziggy laughed too. “No, actually I'm not. I'm not sure why I'm parading my skeletons out infront of you either. I'm usually a secretive little shit.”

“Ah well it's good to talk sometimes. That's one thing your sister was right about, even though she's contrived the whole situation.” Jack sighed noisily. “I still can't get my head round all this. I'm lost. Would it be rude to ask what it is that you actually do believe in?”

“Not rude at all. It's quite refreshing actually. Makes a change from the usual 'devil worshipper' war cry.” Ziggy saw Jack wince. “Been there, done that eh?” She laughed. “Well you'll have heard of Pagans, Jack, it's not all hush-hush these days and witchcraft isn't a hanging crime anymore.”

“So is that what everyone is here? Witches?” Jack was still desperate to find a normal explanation for all this, then to stick to it like glue.

“Not everyone, no, although there are an abnormally high number of us together here. That's because of parents passing it down to their children. The non-pagans just get used to it after a while, providing the don't get Lavinia and her goons on their cases, like you have.” Ziggy pulled a face.

“So you mistrust Lavinia so much that you automatically protect anything she shows an interest in?” Jack asked.

“Yes. I don't need details, just the fact that she's among it, especially when it involves a family that has no apparent connections with this place. I wasn't even sure who she was interested in at first. Here, I made two.” Ziggy handed Jack a talisman identical to Alex's. “I took advantage of the natural curiosity kids have and 'planted' Alex's where he'd see it. I'm sorry about that, by the way. I really did need to get those protections to you, especially after Lavinia's performance at that dinner dance. If I'd walked up to you with that, you'd have I was the village idiot.”

“Umm ... been there done that too.” Jack cringed. “Sorry. So you talismaned my chair?”

“Yep! I was quite pleased with that, you know. I put the bottles round your house after I saw Lavinia coming out of it, that night it was pissing down. I'm presuming she'd been to invite you to dinner.” Ziggy explained.

“They worked too!” Jack nodded. “She could hardly keep her head up or her eyes open. I think her comment of 'damn you' may not have been directed at me at all.”

“Ha-ha! In your face, you old troll!” Ziggy guffawed.

“Look Ziggy, I'm way out of my depth here and I have to trust someone among it all. You come highly recommended by Mrs Wilson and Dr Pallister mentioned you too. Will you help me?” Jack asked seriously.

“I've been helping you for two months.” Ziggy nodded.

“Do I have to do anything? You said you'd have to sort that hex stuff out here. Alex won't need to be here will he?” Jack asked uncertainly.

“No, that's not necessary. Just make sure you cancel all your visitors and the phone's off the hook. Do you have a picture of Alex I could use? That's one thing Lavinia won't have and that gives us the edge.”

“I have hundreds. Anything else? Do I have to do anything?” Jack ran his fingers through his hair.

“You're nervous eh?” Ziggy winked at Jack. “No. Your love for your son is all we'll need. I'll phone you before I come, if I may? After that, unplug the line.”

“Yes of course.” Jack nodded. “I'll go and put my bottles back. I won't have buggered them up will I? I ... well I put them in the bin.” He said apologetically.

“Put them back and I'll give them a swift recharge when I get back.” Ziggy opened the front door. “Jack? I know all this must seem like something out of a nasty b-movie and I know you're about cabbaged with it. I don't for one minute expect you to trust me fully, but thanks for giving me a chance.”