The Skylark Bell - Chapter 7, Sydney Finch

This week we get to listen to a bonus chapter of Meadow Lane and the Skylark Bell which was written after the completion of books 2 and 3 (Wingspan and SkyeDive, respectively).

In this chapter, Magpie and Lucas head to the county fair where Magpie meets some of Lucas' friends, including the somewhat mystical Sydney Finch.

Music: Nightbridge by Cannelle (www.cannellemusic.com)

Find The Skylark Bell online: www.theyskylarkbell.com

Instagram: @theskylarkbell

Twitter: @melissaoliveri

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TRANSCRIPT:

Things with Wings Productions with the support of Whimsical Productions and Collected Sounds presents: A bonus episode of The Skylark Bell.  I am your host Melissa Oliveri.  

In today’s episode we read a bonus Chapter called Sydney Finch - where Magpie meets some of Lucas’ friends, including the somewhat mystical Sydney Finch.

 So get settle in… grab a blanket, and a warm drink… and let’s get started.

Magpie can feel her heart beat a little faster as she and Lucas approach the fairgrounds. They’ve made plans to meet up with some of Lucas’ friends at the county fair, which is held in the large field behind the school. 

“Everyone looks forward to the fair each year,” says Lucas, happily chatting away, completely oblivious to Magpie’s mounting anxiety. “People come from the surrounding towns and compete in all kinds of things; best pie, best cow, best seed art… you name it!” he laughs.

“I’ve never even heard of seed art, and my mom is an artist!” says Magpie, Lucas’ enthusiasm helping her feel a bit more at ease.

They’ve now arrived at the fair. Magpie sees a few basic rides; a ferris wheel, bumper cars, a tilt-a-whirl, and some carnival games. Most of the fairgrounds are reserved for animal shows, she sees horseback riders lined up waiting for their turn in the ring, in another area she sees kids walking their goats, and in the distance she can hear the cacophonous cluck of a collection of prize chickens. Magpie chuckles to herself, all this is so foreign to her, such a contrast to her life in the city! She feels her apprehension wash away with every step. 

Lucas points to a large barn-like building. “That’s where they do the food and art competitions, but first let’s head over to the stage, I think The Bunting Brothers are playing!” he says, pulling her across the fairgrounds. They walk around the barn and come to a grassy area where a stage has been set up. On the stage are two broad-shouldered young men, each with a guitar. Behind them is an older man, presumably their father if their similar appearance is any clue, who is playing on a rather sparse drum set. One of the boys is singing, his voice carrying across the entire expanse of the fair. The crowd claps and whoops loudly as they finish their song. Magpie can’t help but join in, the joyfulness of the crowd is contagious. 

“For our last song, we’d like to invite Sydney Finch up on the stage!” says one of the boys, waving his arm at a girl standing off to the side of the stage.

“That’s Bo Bunting in the red shirt, and his brother Billy has the green shirt,” explains Lucas. Magpie nods as she watches a beautiful young woman make her way up the steps and to the front of the stage. She has long, straight dark hair decorated with braids and beads in the front, and her large dark eyes sparkling as she looks out at the crowd. Bo and Billy start playing a soft, sad tune on their guitars, and Sydney Finch begins to sing. Magpie feels a lump form in her throat and tears well up in her eyes, Sydney’s voice has a beautiful, plaintive quality to it that makes Magpie feel like her heart is being shattered into a thousand pieces. A hush washes over the crowd, making Magpie think she’s not the only one feeling this way. Finally the last note of the song rings over the silent field, and after a moment the crowd hops to its feet and erupts in lo