by Adele Abbott
This was the same motion that had been defeated at the last AGM—a motion that Grandma had pushed hard for. This time though, it seemed that every hand in the room was raised.
“Thank you, ladies. All those against?”
There was only one hand raised. Ma Chivers glared at me, defiantly.
“The motion is passed, almost unanimously. Jill, I would like to invite you to become the first level seven witch.”
***
After the EGM had finished, I left Grandma inside talking to some of her friends. Outside on the steps, someone called my name. It was Ma Chivers.
“I suppose you think you’ve won.” As always she was right in my face.
“I wasn’t aware it was a competition. You’ll be sorry to have lost your leader.”
“What leader?”
“TDO of course.”
She laughed. “TDO was never my ‘leader’. He was only ever the pretender to the throne.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” She laughed again. “The Phoenix will make sure of that.”
“Who?”
She walked away without another word. Why was I even wasting my time with her? She had always been full of it.
***
I magicked myself to Washbridge, and was on my way back to the office when someone called my name.
“Jill, we were just on our way to see you.” It was Bonnie and Clive. “We have that present we promised you.” Clive passed me a rectangular package wrapped in pretty floral gift-wrap.
“You really shouldn’t have.”
“Nonsense. It’s the least we could do. If it hadn’t been for you, and the posters you made, we might never have got our darling Bella back.”
That probably wasn’t true, but hey, after the day I’d had, I could eat a few chocolates. I could tell from the shape of the present that’s what it was.
“Didn’t you say you have a cat too?” Clive asked.
“Yes, Winky.”
“That’s an unusual name.”
“He only has one eye.”
“Oh dear.” Bonnie looked genuinely concerned. “Poor little man. How does he cope?”
“He seems to get by.”
“We’d better not keep you. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“As always.”
I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the chocolates, but maybe I should offer Mrs V one.
What? Okay, maybe two. But I was going to take out my favourites first.
I tore off the gift wrap.
Oh bum! It wasn’t chocolates.
“Winky? Where are you?”
“What’s up?” He crawled out from under my desk.
“I’ve got a present for you.”
“For me? What’s the catch?”
“Why would you say that? Can’t I give my favourite cat a present without an ulterior motive?”
“Unlikely, but go on, I’ll bite.”
“There you are.”
“Wow! Thanks, Jill.”
“Do you like it? I had it specially commissioned.”
“It’s brilliant. It captures Bella’s je ne sais quoi.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“It must have cost a few bob. Portraits like this can be expensive.”
“Nothing is too good for my darling Winky.”
“I’ll keep it under the sofa, so I have Bella with me at all times.”
How sweet!
***
The time had come to let Jack have my answer. It had been one of the most difficult decisions of my entire life. Kathy had been unequivocal that I should say ‘yes’, but although I valued her opinion, she wasn’t privy to all the information.
Could a relationship be built upon a lie? That was the conundrum that had haunted me ever since Jack had posed the question. Even if he never discovered my ‘secret’, might it eat away at me every day? It would have been so much easier if I hadn’t known I was a witch. But I did, and I had to face reality. And the reality was, if I said ‘yes’, I’d have to live a lie, but if I said ‘no’, it would spell the end of our relationship forever. Jack and I would be finished before we’d even started.
I’d phoned him an hour ago to tell him I’d made my decision. He’d pressed me to tell him there and then, but I’d refused. It was important to me to do this face to face. He’d been on his way into a meeting, and wasn’t sure what time he’d get out. I told him I’d be in Bar Fish, and would wait for him. However long it took.
“What’s going to happen to this place?” I asked the bar manager.
He shrugged. “The business is in administration. They’re hoping to find a buyer, but I’m not optimistic. I’m already looking for a new job.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Fishtail?”
“No, thanks. I need to keep a clear head. I’ll have a lime and soda, please.”
Every minute seemed a little longer than the previous one. The fish seemed to be taunting me with their wide eyes. I was on my third lime and soda when Jack finally appeared. He looked flustered, and very serious.
“Do you want a drink?” I asked.
“No, I don’t want a drink. I have absolutely no idea what the meeting I’ve just been in was about. I just wanted it to end.” He took a seat next to me. “So? What’s your answer?”
“I’ve given this a lot of thought—”
“Enough, Jill. Just tell me what you’ve decided. Will you move in with me?”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” He looked stunned.
“But.”
“No ‘buts’. Just stick at ‘yes’.”
“It’s only a small ‘but’.”
“How small?”
“I want to wait for a little while.”
“What? Why?”
“Not for long. Just a few months so I can get used to the idea, and to be certain we’re both sure about this.”
“I’m sure right now. Look at me. Don’t I look sure?”
“Yes, but—”
“But you’re not sure?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I want to do it.”
“It doesn’t sound like it.”
“I do. I absolutely do. More than anything.”
“This isn’t just your way of letting me down gently?”
“No. I promise.”
“How many months?”
“I don’t know. Not many.”
“One?”
“I don’t know.”
“Two?”
“Jack!”
“What?”
“Shut up, and kiss me!”
12 months later…
Has Jill moved in with Jack? If so, how’s that working out?
How is she coping with the responsibility that comes with her new powers?
Is Winky as crazy as ever? (we already know the answer to that one.)
Catch up with Jill Gooder and all your favourite characters (and lots of new ones)
as the adventure continues in the next book:
Witch Is Why Time Stood Still
(Witch P.I. Mysteries #13)
More mysteries and even more crazy await you!
Web Site: http:www.AdeleAbbott.com
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Also from Adele Abbott
WHOOPS!
OUR NEW FLATMATE IS A HUMAN!
Charlie (a werewolf), Dorothy (a vampire) and Neil (a wizard) share a huge loft in Washbridge, but they can no longer make rent. They’ve been trying to find another supernatural (sup) to take the fourth bedroom for months now, but with no success. Their landlord is tired of waiting for his money, so takes matters into his own hands, and finds them a new flatmate.
Susan Hall is an investigative reporter who has just joined The Bugle. She is ambitious, and determined to clean up the paper’s sleazy image with hard hitting stories. She’s been living out of a suitcase in a crummy hotel for weeks, so is deli
ghted to be offered a flat share in a beautiful loft space.
The three original flatmates are horrified. It’s bad enough that their new flatmate is a reporter, but what’s even worse: she’s human.
