Witch Is Where Magic Lives Now

by Adele Abbott

  “O—kay. Why don’t we chat while I’m signing them?”

  “Sure. Mum said that you wanted to talk to me about your little girl.”

  “That’s right. Her name’s Florence. She’s five years old and has just started school in the human world.”

  “Does she know she’s a witch?”

  “Yes, she does.”

  “That’s good. Did you know my mum didn’t tell me I was a witch until the invitation from CASS arrived?”

  “Yes, she told me. In fact, that’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about today. I wondered how you felt about that.”

  “When I found out, I was really angry. I’m still a little angry, but I realise now that she was doing it with the best of intentions. But she definitely got it wrong. I should have been told from day one. When I eventually found out, it came as a massive shock. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, I suddenly had to decide whether or not to attend CASS.”

  “That can’t have been an easy decision for you.”

  “It wasn’t, but I figured it was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

  “How was it? When you started at CASS, I mean.”

  “I found it very difficult at first because I was still trying to come to terms with the idea that I was a witch.”

  “I imagine the fact that you hadn’t been taught any magic didn’t help?”

  “That was the worst part. When I first got here, most of the other kids had spent their whole life in the paranormal world and had practised magic since they were young. I was starting from scratch. Some of the kids, not all of them—just the cruel ones, used to make fun of me because I was so far behind. There were times when I just wanted to give up and go home.”

  “But you stuck it out. That says a lot about your character. Have things improved since then?”

  “Yes, it’s much better. I’m up to speed now. In fact, I’m a better witch than some of those who have been practising magic all their lives.”

  “Well done, you.”

  “Are you teaching Florence any spells?”

  “So far, I’ve only taught her three. I’d planned to wait until she was older before teaching her anymore.”

  “No! You mustn’t do that! Sorry for shouting, but that’s not fair on Florence. She’s a witch, and she should be practising magic. Will Florence join CASS when she’s old enough, if she gets an invitation?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m going to have to give that some serious thought.” I signed the last of the photographs and pushed them across the desk.

  “Thanks for doing that, Jill.”

  “No problem. Thank you for talking to me. It’s been very helpful. Very helpful indeed.”

  ***

  I was desperate for a coffee and a blueberry muffin.

  What? Signing photographs is really hard work, especially when there are thousands of them.

  I magicked myself back to the human world and headed straight for Coffee Animal. Although the revamped shop had been open for a few weeks, the sign on the door said that today marked the first day of the ‘full’ launch.

  Whatever they had planned for Coffee Animal, it couldn’t be any worse than Coffee Triangle with its awful cacophony of percussion instruments. Coffee Games had been a slight improvement, but that too had been tedious at times, particularly on days such as Simon Says or Blind Man’s Buff.

  “Welcome to Coffee Animal’s launch day.” The young woman behind the counter had a pink bow in her hair and a beauty spot on her left cheek. “My name is Dot.”

  “Hi, Dot. I’m Jill.”

  “Is this your first visit?”

  “Actually, no. In fact, I was here on the day of the siege.”

  “Oh dear. How terrible for you. I hope you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine, thanks, but I have to admit I’m still a little confused by the choice of name. Coffee Animal? What does that mean, exactly?”

  “Have you heard of cat cafes?”

  “Yes, I’ve actually been in a couple.”

  “Coffee Animal takes that concept one step further. Instead of having cats in the shop all the time, we’ll be having a different animal each day.” She reached under the counter and brought out a tiny cage. “This is today’s animal.”

  “A hamster?”

  “A lot of people make that mistake. It’s actually a gerbil.”

  “Err, right, thanks.”

  “What can I get for you to drink?”

  “A caramel latte please, and do you have any blueberry muffins?”

  “You’re in luck. We only have one left.”

  It was a bit of a struggle, carrying the coffee, the muffin, and the cage containing the gerbil, but I managed to find a table next to the window. I didn’t think it would be hygienic to put the cage on the table, so I placed it on the seat next to me.

  I’d just taken a bite of the muffin when a little voice said, “Hey, can I have some of that?” Sometimes the ability to talk to animals was a curse. “I’ve been stuck in this cage all day and no one’s thought to give me any food.”

  “I’m not sure that muffins are suitable for gerbils.”

  “Of course they are. I love them, particularly blueberry ones. Go on, please.”

  “Okay, then.”

  “Make sure it has a blueberry in it.”

  I broke off a piece of muffin and passed it through the bars.

  “Is that all I get?”

  “Sheesh, some people are never satisfied.” I gave him another piece.

  “Thanks. My name is Jimbob, by the way. What’s yours?”

  “I’m Jill.” I suddenly became aware of a middle-aged couple who’d stopped by the side of my table and were giving me a very puzzled look.

  “Hi,” I flashed them my nothing to see here smile.

  “Did you just tell that gerbil your name?” the man said.

  “Yes, it’s only polite to introduce yourself, don’t you think?”

  The woman took the man by the arm and led him away. As she did, I could hear her muttering something about a crazy woman.

  ***

  When I got home, Jack was alone in the house because Florence was over at Wendy’s house.

  “How did you get on at CASS?” Jack said. “Did you get to talk to Maxine?”

  “Yes, she seems very nice. After listening to what she had to say, I’m glad that Florence does know she’s a witch. Poor old Maxine only found out just before starting at a new school. That made everything twice as difficult for her.”

  “Is she okay now?”

  “Yeah, she seems to be, but she had a really hard time at first. All the other kids had been practising magic for years, and she had to start from scratch. Kids being kids, some of them made her life a misery for a while. I don’t want that for Florence.”

  “What do you suggest we do, then?”

  “I think we should allow her to learn more spells now. Then, if she does get an invitation from CASS, she—”

  “You know how I feel about that, Jill.”

  “I know, and we don’t have to make a decision about CASS right now, but we do have to allow Florence to be a witch. To learn and practise magic. And she has to start spending time in the paranormal world.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay? Just like that?”

  “Yes. You’re the witch in this family. I have to trust your instincts on this, but I do have one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You have to be the one to teach and supervise her. I don’t want your grandmother getting involved.”

  “No arguments from me there.”

  “Now that’s settled, and we have the house to ourselves, what do you fancy for dinner?”

  “Come upstairs and I’ll show you.”

  ***

  Jack and I were on our way to Donna’s house to collect Florence.

  “I’m starving,” Jack said. “Can we pick up something to eat on the way back?”

  “You’ve just had ‘dinner’.�
�� I grinned.

  “Yes, and very nice it was too. That’s one of the reasons I’m so hungry.”

  There was no answer at Donna’s, but there was definitely someone in because we could hear raised voices coming from the other side of the door.

  “I hope that isn’t Wendy and Florence falling out,” Jack said.

  “That’s not Florence’s voice.” I knocked again.

  This time, Donna opened the door. Standing behind her was a young girl, aged about ten or eleven, who was clearly unhappy about something. “But, Mum, it isn’t fair!”

  “I’m sorry about this,” Donna said. “Do come in.”

  “Mum, please!”

  “Rachel, I’m not going to tell you again. Go up to your bedroom or there’ll be no pocket money for the rest of the month.”

  “It’s not fair! Everyone else has got at least three.”

  “Your room! Now!”

  The girl shot upstairs, in floods of tears.

  “I’m so sorry you had to witness that. That’s Rachel, Wendy’s older sister. I sometimes think Wendy can be a handful, but compared to Rachel, she’s a little angel. That outburst was all because I refused to buy her another charm for that stupid bracelet of hers.”

  “My niece has just had one of those.”

  “All the girls in Rachel’s class have got them; it’s the latest craze. The bracelets are quite cheap. It’s the charms that they sting you on; they’re incredibly expensive. That tantrum was all because I’d just told her she can’t have another one until next month. She thinks we’re made of money. Anyway, enough of my problems.”

  “Has Florence been okay?” I asked.

  “Yes, she and Wendy have played together really nicely. I’ll just nip upstairs and get her for you.”

  Moments later, Florence came charging down the stairs, followed by Wendy and then Donna.

  “Look, Mummy,” Florence held out her hands. “Wendy made me two bracelets. Aren’t they pretty?”

  “They’re beautiful. You’re very clever, Wendy.”

  “Mummy bought me the bead kit for my birthday.” She beamed. “I could make one for you too if you like.”

  “Maybe another day, Wendy,” Donna said. “Florence and her mummy and daddy have to go home now.”

  “Say thank you to Wendy and her mum for letting you come over,” I said to Florence.

  “Thank you. I’ve had a lovely time.”

  “It was our pleasure.”

  Jack took Florence by the hand and led her out of the door. I was just about to follow when Donna said, “Jill, I’m so pleased that Wendy has found such a good friend in Florence. I do hope you’ll let her come over again soon.”

  “Of course, and Wendy must come to our place too.”

  Chapter 19

  The next morning, Jack and I were at the kitchen table, eating breakfast. Florence had already finished her cornflakes and was out in the garden. She was throwing the ball for Buddy who was half asleep and less than enthusiastic about the early morning exercise.

  “When are you planning to tell Florence what we decided last night?” Jack said. “About her learning more spells?”

  “I think that’s something we should talk to her about together.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

  “Yes, she has to know this is something we’re both signed up to.”

  “I hate that there’s a large part of her life that I can play no part in.”

  “I know it’s hard for you, but trust me, it’s just as hard for me being out at work every day while you’re here with Florence.”

  “I know. When shall we have the conversation?”

  “I thought we could do it tonight.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to work. We’ve got the amdram play. Had you forgotten?”

  “No, of course not.” Although, I’d tried very hard to. “Can’t we just cancel?”

  “No, we can’t. We’ve promised Kathy and Peter we’ll be there.”

  “Did you remember to contact the babysitter?”

  “Yes. Sarah will be here in plenty of time.”

  “In that case, why don’t we talk to Florence now? I don’t have to rush out to work this morning.”

  “Okay, I’ll call her in.” Jack went over to the door. “Florence! Mummy and Daddy would like to talk to you.”

  She came running into the house. “Is it time for school?”

  “Not yet. Why don’t you come and sit at the table with us?” I patted the seat next to mine. “We want to talk to you about magic.”

  “I’ve been practising my three spells, Mummy. I’m very good at them now.”

  “I know you are. You’re doing really well. That’s why we’ve decided that you can learn some more.”

  “When?”

  “We’ll start next week.”

  “Will Great Grandma be teaching me?”

  “No, she won’t!” Jack snapped, causing Florence to flinch. “Sorry, pumpkin, Daddy didn’t mean to shout. Mummy will be teaching you.”

  “What spells will I learn?”

  “We’ll have to have a think about that,” I said. “I’ll look through the spell book over the weekend and pick out those that I think will be most suitable.”

  “I wish I could tell my friends that I can do magic.” She sighed. “They would like it.”

  “You can’t do that, darling. We’ve talked about this before. It’s very important that you never tell anyone. Do you promise?”

  “I promise.”

  “There’s something else too, Florence. You know Great Grandma, Aunt Lucy and the twins live a long way away, don’t you?”

  “That’s why we can’t go to their house, isn’t it?”

  “Something you don’t know is that Aunt Lucy and the twins are witches. Just like you, me and Great Grandma. They all live in a place called Candlefield.”

  “I had some candles on my birthday cake, Mummy, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, darling, you had five of them. Do you remember when I told you about sups?”

  “I’ve forgotten what you said. Is it like soup?”

  “No. Sups are what you call people who have magical powers. Like witches and wizards.”

  “Am I a sup, Mummy?”

  “Mummy is a sup. Daddy is a human. And you are both.”

  “Is that good?”

  “Yes, it’s very good. You’re very lucky. Sups can live here or in Candlefield. That’s where Great Grandma, Aunt Lucy and the twins live. I thought that you and I could go over there to visit them this weekend.”

  “To Candlefield?”

  “That’s right.”

  “What about Daddy? Can he come too?”

  “I’m afraid he can’t. Humans can’t go to Candlefield.”

  “That’s not fair.” She turned to Jack.

  “It’s okay, pumpkin. I don’t mind,” he reassured her. “You and Mummy will have a great time there.”

  “What about Buddy? Can he come with us? Is he a sup?”

  “No, Buddy isn’t a sup,” I said. “He’s a pain in the—”

  “Jill!” Wisely, Jack cut me off.

  ***

  I was just about to set off to the office when I got a phone call from Caroline. Normally quite composed, she was struggling to speak and clearly upset about something.

  “Caroline, slow down a little, please. What’s happened?”

  “It’s Mulgrave, Jill. I just—I just can’t believe it.”

  “What’s happened to him?”

  “He’s dead. I found him hanging in his room.”

  “Oh no.”

  “The silly man took his own life. And for what? A goblet? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Have you informed the police?”

  “Of course. They’re on their way over here now.”

  “I’ll come over too. I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”

  I’d only seen Mulgrave the day before, and he’d seemed perfectly fine, no different to any
of the other times I’d seen him. What could possibly have happened to cause him to commit suicide? And why had Caroline mentioned the goblet? What did that have to do with anything?

  When I arrived at Tweaking Manor, there was a police car parked on the road outside. As I turned into the gate, a uniformed officer flagged me down.

  “Sorry, madam, you can’t go in there.”

  “I’m family,” I lied. “Carol—err—Lady Tweaking called and asked me to come over.”

  He spoke into his radio, then waved me through. There were another two police cars parked outside the house, and the front door was wide open. I’d just stepped inside when a plain clothes officer walked up to me. I didn’t recognise him, but since Sushi had moved on, I didn’t really know anyone at Washbridge Police Station.

  “I believe you told my colleague that you’re a relative. Would you mind telling me your name?”

  Before I could respond, Caroline had appeared. “I asked this lady to come over, officer. Please move out of the way and let her through.”

  He hesitated for a moment, but then moved aside.

  “Come on, Jill.” Caroline took my arm. “We’ll go through to the dining room.” The room was uncharacteristically cold because the fire hadn’t been lit.

  “Are you alright, Caroline?”

  “I think so.” She took a deep breath. “I just need to sit down for a while.”

  “Take all the time you need.”

  She took a few minutes to compose herself and then said, “I’m okay now.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

  “I woke up this morning at the usual time and came downstairs to the dining room. Normally, Mulgrave has a cup of tea waiting for me, but there was no sign of him, and the fire hadn’t been set. He’s normally so reliable, so I assumed he must be poorly. I went up to his room and knocked a couple of times, but there was no answer, so I tried the door and it was open. I found him hanging from the beam. It was horrible. I almost collapsed.”

  “I assume it was suicide?”

  “What else could it have been? And all because of that stupid goblet.”