Testing...

Sigworth was hard at work now that the search-party of Trunglers had left him in peace. He had to work fast before anyone noticed his absence. He sprinkled the final ingredient into the tiny jar and held the product, which looked like crimson sand, infront of his studious face.

‘Looks right,’ he mused to himself.

‘But does it work?’ came a voice from inside him.

There was only one way to find out. Sigworth reached into the jar and sandwiched a few grains between two of his stout fingers. He slowly moved his fingers towards his nose. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply....

....it didn’t work.

He searched through all the bits and pieces on his makeshift table until he found the ingredient he was looking for. Ground petal of the Moondrop flower. He added a smidgen to the jar, gave it a shake, took another pinch and inhaled.

Sigworth then became frighteningly aware of a creaking sound coming from the room above. He hoped to goodness that the Trunglers hadn’t returned for a second search, not only because he was tucked away experimenting in the concealed cellar but because it had taken him such a long time to tidy up after them - and that was the last thought which passed through his mind before hitting the floor.