Fleetwood Mac

But thanks to everyone who's added a story or updated. Thanks also the author of Lysander's distraction who's name I can't remember for explaining and e-mailing me. I'm honoured.

On with the story:

Disclaimer: I own all the Charlie Bone books. All but the first are hardback books and no I'm not selling them. Come on. I don't own anything you recognise. I also don't own the chapter names. I only own a few meagre characters.

It seemed that Eluned was about to say more but Charlie burst out in front of the group. He'd run ahead, after not having a father for years he made the most of happy families now although Olivia had a more vicious theory.

"Hell's Teeth!" he was completely gobsmacked. "Paton…Aunt…Emma…Ring…" Thankfully Lysander guessed what he was trying to say before Eluned had a chance to interject with some cutting comment.

"Your Uncle proposed? To Emma's aunt? Way to go!" There was loud laughter as Charlie and Emma surveyed each other, they had been friends and now they were relatives. It was a new experience for the pair. On hearing the laughter, Tancred's mum came out of the room labelled 'relatives'.

"There you all are." She smiled. Grinning, cat-like despite the fact she in no way resembled a cat, she appeared before any of them really worked out whether they were meant to go through the door (marked Relatives).

"We're in here." She continued. Tancred kissed his mother on the cheek and strode in before her. Eluned was the last to go in and – unseen by the others – she murmured something to Stella Torsson. Whether it was the way she had said it or what she said, Stella stood there for a minute in shock for a moment before regaining her wits and following the trail of children, her face completing and not completely focused.

Soon any outsider glancing at the scene would have found an unusual turn of events commencing:

Julia and Paton were oblivious to the world. They were reading up herbs and occasionally looking up to smile at each other. They saw nothing but good in the world at that moment and everyone was pleased that they were finally together without a major calamity. It was an adorable sight and various people watched them happily every once in a while.

A rather angelic elderly woman, who'd instantly handed round toffees – "Yer skin ta the bone lads. Boys have appetites." – was talking cooking with Maisie. They were perfectly happy discussing the best recipe for pancakes. They got on very well and knew a great deal about the other. It seemed that Maisie recognised the plump Mrs Dora from somewhere, something Eluned obviously knew, considering the smirk on her face when Charlie looked at his Grandma, confused,

Lysander was teaching Miffy to play chess. There was loud laughter from their corner of the room. It was unlikely all they were talking about was chess. Lysander's younger sister, Alexandra, had watched them longingly until Remus (a sweet, silent man who had won trophies for chess; that Eluned and Miffy knew) offered to play with her. He said that he always carried two sets around with him and soon enough they were leaning over the board in a companionable silence.

Lysander's mother had called her eldest daughter, who had just started college, to check she was alright and to wish her a happy Christmas. She was staying near an aunt of theirs who had offered to host any parties her niece wanted. The aunt was a lonely widow with a large house and had evidently welcomed the opportunity, judging by the noise in the background.

She then invited the shyer Amy to chat with her and Stella. Soon all the women (herself, Stella, Amy, Mrs Silk and Mrs Vertigo) were enjoying stories and tips on endowed children. The latter began to teach them a quick comedy sketch. It was only little but it amused their audience (the rather lonely Billy)

Mrs Chrystal abandoned Joshua for her conversation with the Yewbeam women and Ezekiel. It wasn't something the young boy had found interesting. Manfred and Dr Bloor hadn't been able to take the families and had left early on. Dorcas' brothers followed him silently with a grumpy Asa. He didn't like being a second choice but he wasn't sure if he wanted to be on the others' side. It confused him no end.

Gabriel and Lyell had started discussing music. Eventually they'd been pushed into another room that actually had a piano. The drumming on the table had begun to get on people's nerves. They needed to practice in time for the spring play. They had to choose the music and it wasn't easy.

Mr Silk was amusing his youngest daughters, April and May, (June was out at a friend's house) with his next crime novel. He'd told them the basic characters and they were thinking up names. They were easily amused. Then again Tancred and his father's breezes left them in awe. Mr Silk himself ended up talking kids with Judge Sage, Mr Torsson, Mr Vertigo and Dorcas' rather sweet father.

Dorcas had found herself a corner and knitted, worryingly, while chatting to a mucky Joshua. He was tricking various people for her amusement. The magnetised didn't share in her happiness. It was hard holding out on him. Joshua was very strong for someone so young and no one wanted to spend the holidays controlling their will.

The twins had started a pencil box game with random objects in the room. Zelda had begun it but left with Manfred. No one particularly wanted to know what they were doing. Especially now that they were alone. She had come for a job as a maths teacher. Her mother seemed to be a solitary science genius and scribbled on bottles and in notebooks. Then again she might have been doing experiments for the Bloors. It wasn't a nice thought (there are a lot of those in this story).

Emma and Olivia had floated into the piano room and stood there absently. A sharp, icy woman had followed them in. She had come with Eluned and their tongues had the same sharp edge. She announced herself as Maria, Eluned had said something about retiring from dancing and something else. Nevertheless she had forced Lyell and Gabriel to play for her and had taught them a dance she called The Polka. Emma and Olivia were too terrified to doubt her. She was a good teacher though. She left you too scared to do anything but what you told her.

Idith and Inez's aunts (also identical twins) had retired early. It seemed that the happiness and liveliness had gotten to them. They hadn't talked to anyone when they had been there, only show off telekinetic powers. No one, particularly Tancred, had been impressed.

Charlie had wandered into the dance room by mistake and had been roped into dancing with the girls. It seemed that the sharp teacher had a soft spot for the magician. She had begun to teach him more complex and partner dancing. Maria didn't seem to notice his dismay or perhaps she had just been around Eluned too long and didn't care.

So that had left Tancred. Eluned and the man who'd announced himself as her and Miffy's teacher, David, watched him. They didn't seem to be doing anything but that but occasionally on of them would do an imitation of a smile and occasionally one would give the other a sharp look. Unable to help herself, Stella kept glancing at them with an furtive, almost guilty look on her face.

"He can't stop staring at your sister." The elderly man spoke little to anyone but Eluned. She snorted.

"Nor can Lysander but I'll leave him." At her childish teacher's look, the sharp girl almost smiled. "He has less of a temper and she prefers him, so Tancred can watch them sadly." The teacher and pupil both grinned wickedly, plotting silently.

After a pause David spoke.

"Still we should talk to this Tancred lad."

"Why? We'd only risk losing our heads!" Eluned remarked snidely.

He grinned.

"That's what people say about you, ducky dear." He waggled his fingers at his student and sauntered over to the weather vein. Eluned scowled at his back.

"But I like my own company." Still she followed her teacher, slowly though.

Behind her, the men glanced at each other. Tancred's father chuckled softly.

"She'd keep him in line. God knows he needs it!" he mused. The other men raised their eyebrows but nevertheless crept closer. If their wives found out they were eavesdropping there'd be trouble.

There. That's it for now. I'll update as soon as I can but I expect some reviews. Kay? I'd like welcoming reviews when I get back to England. Understand?

Spoilers for the next chapter: A bit more Miffy/Lysander, a little teasing from Eluned and a great title!

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