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Nothing’s louder than the end of a song that’s always been there.
‘And then there was the headless horseman!’ said Tiffany. ‘He had no head!’ ‘Well, that is the major job qualification,’ said the toad.
Don’t wish, Miss Tick had said. Do things.
That was how it worked. No magic at all. But that time it had been magic. And it didn’t stop being magic just because you found out how it was done
Granny Aching, it had to be said, had never been seen to pray to anyone or anything in her life, and it was agreed by all that, even now, she wouldn’t have any time for a god who didn’t understand that lambing came first.
The chalk had been put back over her and Granny Aching, who always said that the hills were in her bones, now had her bones in the hills.
‘So? It’s what they believe. Besides, they’re only small. Maybe the universe is a bit crowded and they have to put heavens anywhere there’s room? I’m a toad, so you’ll appreciate that I’m having to guess a lot here. Maybe they’re just wrong. Maybe you’re just wrong. Maybe I’m just wrong.’
‘The Queen sent them? But they’re like something out of nightmares!’ said Tiffany. ‘Oh aye,’ said Rob Anybody. ‘That’s where she got them.’
‘Them as can do, has to do for them as can’t. And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.’
The moan rolled around the clearing, as mournful as a month of Mondays.
Fear was a damp cold mess, but anger had an edge. She could use it.
People who say things like ‘may all your dreams come true’ should try living in one for five minutes.
‘Yes,’ said a voice, and Tiffany realized that it was hers again. The anger rose up, joyfully. ‘Yes! I’m me! I am careful and logical and I look up things I don’t understand! When I hear people use the wrong words I get edgy! I am good with cheese. I read books fast! I think! And I always have a piece of string! That’s the kind of person I am!’
‘You’ve got lots of things in your head. That doesn’t mean they aren’t real.
