26
Max tried to explain about the unexpected arrival of the Lumprotter, but his aunt wasn’t listening. She marched down to Knoxby’s shack, her fists clenched and arms swinging at her sides. He crossed his fingers and hoped Alfie and Cynric had found a way to get rid of the Lumprotter or, at least, stop the rot from spreading.
Griselda rounded the shack and gasped at the damage that had already been done. The Lumprotter was not there.
“Hello there,” called a voice.
The group turned around to find the Lumprotter sitting several yards away on the same blackened stump. The Pinkstone brothers had their backs turned and their heads together in deep conversation. A circle of rot surrounded the Lumprotter and every few seconds, Alfie and Cynric took a couple of steps back.
Griselda stomped ac
