by Adele Abbott
“How are you feeling?” she asked, as she ushered me inside.
“Much better. Just hungry.”
“It’s probably better you don’t eat until the competition is over. Now, you’d better get changed.”
“Why do I need to change?”
“You didn’t think you could compete wearing those did you?”
I glanced at my jeans and tee-shirt. “What’s wrong with these?”
“The Levels is the most prestigious competition held for witches. Competitors are expected to wear traditional clothes.” She handed me a long black smock dress and a pointed hat.
“This is a joke, right?” I laughed.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
She didn’t.
“But this is the sort of thing that witches wear in children’s books.”
“Where do you think those authors got their ideas from?”
“You mean witches really used to wear these?”
“Going back centuries, yes. Nowadays standards have dropped, and they’re only worn on occasions like this. Hurry up. We don’t have all day.”
I changed into the dress and hat. I looked as though I was on my way to a Halloween ball.
“Now you look like a witch,” Grandma said, and almost smiled. “I’ve checked out the competition, and from what I can see you only really have one serious opponent. A third year, second-level witch name of Alicia Dawes.”
“So I hear.”
“You know her?”
“No, but I met someone yesterday who made it clear he didn’t think I should be allowed to compete today. He mentioned her name.”
“If you’re on your game, you should be more than a match for her. But remember, what’s the golden rule?”
“Focus.”
“Very good. Now wait here until they call your name, and then you make your appearance. Understood?”
I nodded.
Grandma reached for the door.
“Aren’t you going to wish me luck?”
“I don’t believe in luck.”
There wasn’t a mirror in the cubicle so I couldn’t get a good look at myself, but I was pretty sure I looked ridiculous. Maybe this was all some elaborate joke, and I’d just been punked.
“Ladies and Gentlemen.” A man’s voice bellowed over the loudspeakers. “We now come to the level two competition. This year we have five contestants. Please welcome, Hilary Love.”
The crowd began to cheer.
“Next we have Sasha Newcombe.”
Even louder cheering. I recognised Sasha’s name from my visit to Eddie Lingard’s house.
“Our third contestant is Marie King.”
My hands were beginning to tremble.
“Our fourth contestant will be known to many of you already. Please welcome Jill Gooder.”
I opened the door to a deafening cheer. I waved a hand to acknowledge the crowd, and then took a quick glance to my left at the other competitors. To my relief, they too were dressed in black smocks and pointed hats.
“And last, but not least, I give you your final level two contestant, Alicia Dawes.”
I glanced to my right at the last cubicle. The handle turned, and the door opened. The final competitor stepped out to ear-shattering applause.
“Tess?” I gasped.
Tess or Alicia, or whatever her name really was, waved to the crowd. When the applause finally subsided, she turned to me. There was no emotion on her face.
“Tess?” I said again.
“I hope you’re ready to lose,” she spat the words. The friendly, smiling woman I’d had coffee with the day before was nowhere to be seen, and suddenly everything became clear.
“You poisoned me,” I said.
She smiled, but said nothing.
The format of the competition was straightforward enough. Each of us had to perform the same spell, and at the end of each round the witch who’d performed worst was eliminated. There was a panel of three level six witches who would adjudicate.
In round one we were asked to perform the ‘levitation’ spell. We had to levitate to a particular height and then move back and forth, left and right following their precise instructions. Thanks to my improved focus, I now had much better control than the first time I’d attempted that particular spell when I’d ended up falling flat on my backside.
Sasha Newcombe was eliminated at the end of the first round. The judges gave no indication of how each competitor had done, so I wasn’t sure how I’d faired against the others. In round two, we were asked to perform the ‘lightning bolt’ spell. A padded target in the shape of a giant owl (why an owl? I had no idea) was wheeled out in front of each of us. On the judges’ command we had to cast the spell and then fire the lightning bolt at the poor old owl. This time it was pretty obvious who would be eliminated. The targets which Alicia and I had in front of us had almost entirely disintegrated. The target in front of Hilary Love was almost as devastated, but Marie King’s target had only a small scorch mark on it. We were down to three. I didn’t like the ‘fireproof’ spell. I’d only tried it a couple of times, and it had scared me both times. The spell should allow me to walk through fire unscathed, but having the courage to actually do it was another thing entirely. A line of fire was lit in front of us and we were given the go-ahead. I cast the spell, and focussed with all of my might. The three of us came through the other side unscathed—almost. Hilary Love had the slightest of singes on her fringe.
That left just me and Alicia in the competition.
“The final and deciding round,” the head judge said, “will be the ‘magnet’ spell.”
Great! One of my least favourite spells, and the one I felt least confident about.
“This is where you lose,” Alicia said under her breath.
A large pile of metal objects was placed about ten yards in front of us.
“Contestants,” the head judge said. “You are to attract the metal star which is on the top of the pile. Do you see it?”
We both nodded.
“Whichever one of you is able to attract the star will be the winner and will progress to the grand final. Are you ready?”
We nodded again.
“Go!”
The star rose from the pile, but then moved no further. Both of us had it under our control, so it would come down to whichever of us had the most focus. I closed my eyes and remembered everything that Grandma had taught me. Before today, I hadn’t been too concerned how I did in the competition, but I’d be damned if I was going to let this cheating little cow beat me. I put everything I had into the spell.
The star hit my hand with such force it almost knocked me over. The crowd erupted.
“We have a winner.” The head judge announced. “Jill Gooder is this year’s level two champion.”
I glanced to my right where Grandma was standing, and for a moment I thought I saw a smile cross her lips.
“You won!” Amber appeared from somewhere and threw her arms around me.
“I knew you would!” Pearl almost bowled me over.
“Well done!” Aunt Lucy said.
“Thanks everyone.”
I glanced back at Alicia who looked as though she wanted to kill me.
“You’re in the final,” Amber said. “You could become a level six witch.”
“Leave the girl alone.” Grandma pushed the twins away. “She has to prepare. Go back to your seats.”
“Good luck, Jill!”
“Good luck! We’ll be rooting for you!”
The twins and Aunt Lucy made their way back to the bleachers.
“Aren’t you pleased?” I said to Grandma. “I won!”
“Of course you did. I taught you, didn’t I?”
Chapter 25
I sat with the winner of the level one competition while the rounds for levels three through to five played out. Although the witches at level three didn’t seem that much more advanced, it was a totally different ball game at levels four and five. They brought
‘focus’ to a whole new level. The complexity, power and accuracy of the spells which they performed were mind-blowing.
“How are we meant to compete against that?” the level one winner said.
“We’re not. They don’t expect us to win the final. We’re just there to make up the numbers.”
“No witch under my supervision is there to make up the numbers!” Grandma said.
“Oh, hello, Grandma. I didn’t see you there.”
“Watch and learn.” She pointed a crooked finger at the level five competitors who were down to the last two.
Thirty minutes later, and it was time for the grand final. The winners from each of the five levels stood side by side as we were once again introduced to the cheering crowd. Now I knew where the twins and Aunt Lucy were seated, I could see them cheering and waving their arms in the air.
The format was similar to the heats except that in each round the spell would be taken from the same level as the round number, so in round one the spell was a level one spell.
The head judge announced that the spell would be ‘faster’. This would be a very simple spell to judge because we were all required to run to a given point on the other side of the Spell-Range and back. Each of us would be timed, and the slowest eliminated. It came as no major surprise that we finished in order of our levels. I finished next to last, and the level one witch was eliminated. In the second round, a level two spell was to be selected. The judges chose the ‘Grow’ spell. Maybe I did have a chance. I’d done rather well with that spell when I’d visited the Spell-Range with the twins, but there was far more pressure this time. We moved a few yards along the wall to a plot where four saplings had been planted. Again, this would be an easy spell to judge. The witch with the shortest plant after the spell had been cast would be eliminated. I glanced over at Grandma who mouthed the word: ‘focus’.
The judge gave the command to start and I cast the spell. I kept my eyes closed until the command to stop was given. When I opened my eyes, I quickly studied the four trees. Those in front of the level four and five witches were much higher than mine, but there was barely anything between mine and that of the level three witch.
The judges all studied the trees, and then conferred among themselves.
“Level three witch, Norah Lane is eliminated.”
Norah shook my hand, and said, “Well done. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
I was now completely out of my comfort zone. Not only was I dealing with spells a level above mine, I was dealing with spells I’d never seen before. The head judge announced that I’d be allowed five minutes to study the ‘propel’ spell. In essence, the spell allowed us to propel an object through the air. The test was how accurately we were able to do that.
Grandma started to walk towards me, but was blocked by one of the officials. I was on my own. The spell was many times more complex than the ones I was used to. I wasn’t even sure I’d have it memorised in time, let alone be able to perform it with any accuracy. While I was studying the spell, three huge targets were wheeled into place approximately fifty yards away. At the same time, three huge metal spears were plunged into the soft ground in front of us.
“Time is up.” The judge announced. “On my command, you must take control of the spear and fire it at your target.”
I’d never performed a spell like this one, and I was terrified. Not of messing up the spell—I could live with that. I was worried that my spear might miss the target and hit someone in the crowd.
“Are you ready?”
I was tempted to deliberately make a mess of the spell, so that the spear would remain stuck in the ground, but the thought of what Grandma might do to me, meant that wasn’t an option. Moments later, all three spears had extracted themselves, and were hovering parallel to the ground. At least I’d managed that part of the spell okay. Suddenly one of the spears flew across the ground and hit the bullseye. The level five witch smiled—justifiably satisfied with her work. The level four witch’s spear was next to take flight. It too hit the target, but only on the very outer edge. All eyes were on me now.
“Come on, Jill!
“Go, Jill!”
“Jill, Jill, Jill!”
Although the crowd were trying to help, they only succeeded in making me even more nervous.
I had to focus. I had to shut out the noise of the crowd. I took note of where the target was, and then closed my eyes. Focus, I had to focus like I never had before. I opened my eyes as the spear began its flight. The crowd fell silent. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as I waited.
The spear glanced the very edge of the target, but then fell to the ground. There was a huge gasp from the crowd, then a few moments of silence before the cheers erupted for the level four and five witches.
I’d been eliminated. The twins and Aunt Lucy came rushing over.
“You did brilliantly!” Amber screamed.
“You beat the level three witch!” Pearl shouted.
“Well done, Jill.” Aunt Lucy beamed.
“I don’t know why you are all so excited.” Grandma pushed her way past the twins. “What do you call that? The level four witch left it wide open for you to take your place in the final.”
“I did my best. I’d never even seen the spell before.”
“That’s no excuse. I expected much better from you.” With that, she turned and walked away.
“Take no notice of her.” My mother’s ghost appeared at my side. “I know I said I’d only come when you called, but I couldn’t miss your big day. You did really well. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Thanks Mum. That means a lot.”
We all stayed on to watch the rest of the competition. It came as no surprise that the level five witch was the eventual winner. It was well deserved, and she seemed delighted to be joining the ranks of the level six witches.
“That will be you one day,” my mother said.
“I don’t think so.”
“Mark my words. And it’ll be sooner rather than later.”
Back in the cubicle, I changed into my own clothes. I’d just finished getting ready when there was a knock on the door—probably Grandma to give me another dressing down.
I opened the door to find Alicia. Standing next to her was the skinny wizard who was obviously Alicia’s fanboy.
“Hello, Alicia, or should I call you Tess?”
“You were lucky today,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Lucky I didn’t die from the poison you gave me, you mean? When did you do it? When I was in the loo?”
“You’re not a real witch. You hadn’t even cast a spell until this year.”
“That’s hardly my fault.”
“You should have stayed with the humans where you belong.”
“I take it that you’re not really a lawyer then?”
“Of course I’m not. I spend as little time among humans as possible. If I had my way they’d all be wiped out. We could make much better use of their world.”
“You really are a piece of work aren’t you?”
“Take some advice. Go back to the human world and stay there. You aren’t wanted here. There are forces much greater than mine which don’t want you here. Do it now while you still can.”
She turned and walked away with her skinny sidekick trailing behind.
“Wait! What forces are you talking about? Do you know the Dark One?”
She glanced back over her shoulder and flashed me a chilling smile.
Aunt Lucy insisted we all go back to her house to celebrate. The house was heaving with people—many of whom I’d never even seen before. It seemed that everyone wanted to congratulate me. Everyone except Grandma that was—she was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Lester.
***
The next morning, a lot of people had very bad hangovers. Fortunately for me, I wasn’t one of them. I’d deliberately steered clear of the alcohol.
My phone rang. It was the concierge from Tregar Co
urt. I’d asked him to call me if he saw either Darcy James or Mr Dixon leave the building followed shortly after by the other.
“She left on foot about ten minutes ago,” the concierge said. “Dixon’s on his way down to the garage now.”
“Thanks,” I said, grabbing my bag. “Is he definitely alone?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I had to be quick. I cast the spell, and by using all of my focus, managed to land back in Washbridge, right next to my car. The roads were quiet, so it took just over a minute to reach Tregar Court. Had I been quick enough? I was parked opposite the underground garage entrance. After a couple of minutes, I was beginning to think that I’d missed him, but then I saw the barrier rise. Mr Dixon was behind the wheel of a brand new Jaguar. I stayed a couple of cars back in case he spotted me. Darcy James was waiting on the corner of the high street, close to Ever a Wool Moment. She climbed into the passenger seat of the Jag, and it took a right onto the ring road. I followed for four miles until they pulled into the car park of a motel and diner on the outskirts of the city. I parked just inside the entrance to the car park, and watched through my rear view mirror, as the pair walked arm in arm towards the diner.
I cast the ‘invisible’ spell, and made my way in after them. There were no more than a dozen customers inside. Dixon and Darcy James were seated in an alcove at the far side of the room. The ten minutes of invisibility I had was more than enough for me to gather all of the evidence I needed.
I got back to my car just before the spell wore off. Everything was starting to make sense now, but if I was going to have a solid case to present to the police, I was going to need Mrs Dixon to fill in the gaps. I had a feeling she’d be only too willing to help.
