by Adele Abbott
“Jill? It’s Hilary from Love Spell.”
“Oh, hi. How’s business?”
“Improving, thanks to you. We’ve stopped using Kaleidoscope, so hopefully things will get back to normal pretty soon, and then we can pay you some money.”
“That would be nice.”
“Anyway, the reason I called—”
I had a feeling I already knew. “Look, I’m sorry, Hilary. I know I shouldn’t have sent him to you, but—”
“Sent who?”
“My neighbour, Mr Ivers. Isn’t that why you’re calling?”
“Oh yes, Mr Ivers. He said you’d referred him to us.”
“I know he’s probably not suitable, and he’s unlikely to get through your vetting procedure, but he was so miserable—”
“No really, Jill, he’s absolutely fine.”
“He is?”
“Yes, he fits the criteria perfectly.”
I was gobsmacked. “Are we talking about the same Mr Ivers?”
“The movie buff?”
“Yes that’s him.”
“You’d be surprised how many of the witches on our books have an interest in movies. In fact, Amber used to be registered with us at one time.”
“Did she, really?”
“Didn’t she tell you?”
“No, she didn’t.”
“She was on our books for quite some time, but I’m afraid we were never able to match her up with anyone suitable. Maybe, if your neighbour had been on our books back then? Who knows? Then, of course Amber met William, and cancelled her membership.”
Amber and Mr Ivers? I’d have paid good money to see that.
“If it wasn’t about Mr Ivers, why did you call?”
“I noticed that your profile is still on our books, and I was wondering whether you wanted me to remove it or if you’d like me to leave it on there and have us try to match you with someone?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it. How much would it cost?”
“Nothing. Call it a gift for services rendered.”
“Really? Well, in that case, why not?”
Gertie was walking towards me. She did not look happy.
“Morning, Gertie.”
“Morning.” It was more a groan than a greeting.
“How do you usually get to school?”
“There’s a school bus. The bus stop is just down the road.”
“Come on then, let’s go catch it.”
“Only kids are allowed on it. I thought you’d take your car and meet me there.”
“No, I want to go with you. If I use the ‘shrink’ spell, you can pop me into the breast pocket of your blazer.”
“Oh, okay then.”
At least that brought a smile to her face.
“Be gentle though.”
“I will,” she promised.
I shrank myself, and waited for Gertie to pick me up. It was the first time anyone had held me in their hand; it felt weird and scary, but it was actually quite cosy once I was in her pocket. I peeped over the top every now and then, being careful not to let anyone see me. As we waited at the bus stop, I noticed several different groups of kids; they were all chatting to one another. Gertie was all by herself.
“Haven’t you made friends with anyone yet then?” I whispered.
“No.”
I noticed one of the other girls giving Gertie a strange look, so I stopped talking. I didn’t want anyone giving her a hard time for being the crazy girl who talked to herself.
Gertie was the last one to get on the bus. There were no empty seats, although a few of them were only taken up with backpacks. No one seemed in any hurry to move their bag to let Gertie sit down.
“I’ve got an idea,” I whispered.
Suddenly, all the girls on the bus looked up, and several of them moved their backpacks off the seats. Gertie looked puzzled, but walked to the nearest one and sat down. The girl next to her didn’t speak; she just stared and smiled at Gertie.
When the bus pulled up outside the school gates, we were the first off.
“What happened just now?” Gertie looked puzzled.
“I cast an ‘illusion’ spell. The other kids thought you were Tom West from Game On.”
“Who from What?”
“Come on, Gertie. You’ll have to get up to speed with human music. Tom West is in Game On—the biggest boy band of the moment.”
“I’ve never heard of him. No wonder everyone was staring at me. Do they still think I’m Tom West?”
“No. I reversed that spell, and then cast a ‘forget’ spell, just as we were getting off the bus. They won’t remember a thing about it.”
“I want the other kids to like me for who I am. Not because they think I’m lead singer with a boy band.”
“Drummer, actually.”
She rolled her eyes.
“You’re right. It was a stupid idea. I’m sorry. Come on let’s get inside.”
It was the same school I’d attended when I was a kid, and I hadn’t much liked it back then. From what I could see, nothing had really changed. It still had that same smell about it: chalk and sweaty PE kits.
“Which is your classroom?” I whispered.
“This one on the left. My desk is on the front row. It was the only one free.”
We were about to go into the classroom when Gertie stopped dead in her tracks.
“Oh no! I’ve just remembered; I was supposed to read several pages of my history book last night. I forgot all about it. And there’s a test this morning.”
I pulled her to one side. “Have you got the book with you?”
“Yes, it’s in my bag.”
“Get it out.”
“But it’s too late.” She took out the book anyway.
“No it isn’t. Do you know the ‘speed read’ spell?”
“Yeah, I think so, but I’ve never actually used it. We weren’t allowed to in my school in Candlefield—the teachers could tell if anyone did.”
“Well you’re in Washbridge now, and no human is going to know. Quick, cast the spell.”
“Okay I’ll try.” She closed her eyes for just a few seconds. “Okay, I’ve done it.”
“Now read the passage.”
“I’m not sure I can do this, Jill.”
“Yes you can. Have faith. Go on.”
She looked down at the book, and I could see her eyes darting left and right as she flicked through the pages. Within a matter of seconds, she’d read all ten pages.
“See?”
“That was brilliant!” she said. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.”
“Can you remember what you read?”
“Yeah, all of it.”
“Brilliant! Let’s go in then.”
Just as Gertie had said, her desk was right at the very front of the classroom. All of the other kids were chatting to one another, except for the girl at the desk next to Gertie’s. She looked even more nervous than Gertie.
“Right, boys and girls, that’s enough. Everyone to their desk, please. No more talking.” The teacher, Miss Badland, was a real battle-axe. “I assume you’ve all read the section which I set for homework last night.” As she spoke, she walked around the classroom, handing a sheet of paper to everyone. “In a moment, I’ll tell you to turn over the test paper. It’s multiple choice, so there’s no excuse for running out of time. For every correct answer you will get one mark. For every incorrect answer you will get one mark deducted.”
“But, Miss, that’s not fair,” a voice shouted from the back.
“Be quiet, Jordan. It’s perfectly fair. It will show who has actually read and understood the passage, and who is just guessing.”
“Still don’t think it’s fair, Miss.”
The girl at the next desk glanced across at Gertie. She looked absolutely petrified, and I suspected she’d forgotten to do her history homework too.
“Right,” Miss Badland said. “You may begin. You have thirty minutes.”
The test underway, the teacher took a paperback out of her bag, and began to read. A cozy mystery, I think.
The kids turned over their test papers, and began ticking boxes. Gertie sped through hers in a matter of minutes; she obviously knew all of the answers.
“I think your friend is struggling,” I whispered.
Gertie glanced at the girl at the next desk. She looked really scared and was shaking her head. Without any prompting from me, Gertie checked the teacher wasn’t looking, and then reached over and picked up the girl’s test paper. She quickly went through it, ticking all the answers, and then passed it back. The girl beamed and mouthed the words ‘Thank you’.
When the thirty minutes were up, the teacher told the kids to put down their pens, then she collected the test papers. As Gertie was leaving the classroom, someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around to see the girl who’d been sitting next to her.
“Thanks ever so much for that,” the girl said. “I thought I was dead.”
“That’s okay.”
“My name’s Julia.”
“Gertie.”
“I was just going to go to the cafeteria. Do you want to come with me?”
“Yeah, that would be great, thanks.”
So far, so good. Gertie seemed to have found herself a new friend in Julia. School meals had improved dramatically since I was there. We used to be served slop, but today’s meal smelled really good. Not that I was likely to find out because I was stuck in Gertie’s pocket. I had hoped she’d realise I’d be hungry, and would sneak me something to eat, but she was so busy talking to her new friend that she’d apparently forgotten all about me. It was only after we left the cafeteria, while Julia was in the loo, that I managed to catch Gertie’s attention.
“Hey! You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”
“Sorry, Jill. Yes, I had. Julia and I have been busy talking.”
“I know. And eating too. I’m starving in here.”
“I’m sorry. If I’d realised, I could have given you some of my muffin. It was delicious.”
“Was it really? How very nice for you.”
Julia returned, so I popped my head back down inside the pocket. It was starting to get really hot and sweaty in there.
As Gertie and Julia made their way to the lockers, a boy shouted, “Hey, new girl, come over here.”
“Ignore him,” Julia said. “That’s Bradley. He’s horrible.”
“Hey, new girl. Are you deaf? I said, come over here.”
I could tell Gertie wasn’t sure what to do, but eventually she walked over to the boy who was standing next to an open door.
“There’s something in here I want to show you. Come and have a look.”
“Don’t do it,” I whispered. I daren’t say it any louder.
“What is it?” Gertie said.
“Look—down there.”
She bent over to look. “I can’t see anything,” she said. “It’s too dark.”
“Down there!”
The next thing I knew we were tumbling head over heels. He’d pushed her into the cupboard, which was pitch black inside.
“Let me out!” She banged on the door.
“Gertie,” I said. “Relax, it’s okay.”
“But he won’t let me out.”
“Stupid new girl,” the boy shouted from outside the cupboard.
Gertie pushed hard against the door, but it was obviously locked.
“Is there a light switch, Gertie?”
She felt around, and eventually found one.
“It’s not working. What shall I do? I can’t be late for my next lesson.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.”
“Let her out, Bradley.” I heard someone say; it sounded like Julia.
“Why should I?”
“If you don’t, I’m going to tell the teacher.”
I was thrilled to hear Gertie’s new friend sticking up for her. It couldn’t have been easy for her to stand up to Bradley; he looked like a bit of a thug.
“Alright, keep your hair on. I’ll let her out.”
“Quick, Gertie,” I said. “Shrink yourself.”
“What?”
“Do as I say. Shrink yourself now. And make sure you shrink your clothes with you.”
“But what about you?”
“Take me out of your pocket first.”
She placed me gently on the floor.
“Hurry up! Before he opens the door!”
She cast the ‘shrink’ spell. Now, we were both tiny.
“Quick,” I said. “Follow me.”
As soon as the door opened, we rushed, unseen, past Bradley and Julia.
“Where are you, new girl?” Bradley said, obviously confused.
“Gertie, where are you?” Julia said.
“Quick,” I whispered. “Change yourself back to full size and put me back in your pocket.”
Gertie reversed the spell, and popped me back in her pocket. Then she walked up behind Bradley, and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Are you looking for me?”
Bradley turned around and did a double take. So did Julia.
“How did you get out?” he said.
“I have magical skillz.” Gertie grinned.
“That’s my girl!” I said quietly to myself.
Julia beamed at Gertie, and the two of them walked off, leaving Bradley shaking his head in disbelief.
Chapter 24
Gertie was much happier and relaxed in the first lesson of the afternoon, but when it ended, she seemed to flag again.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered.
“It’s sports day. I hate sports.”
“You’ll be okay.”
“It’s track and field. I hate all of that stuff.”
“Gertie,” a teacher wearing a tracksuit shouted. “We’re one short for the relay team. You’ll have to take the last leg.”
“But, Sir. I’m not really—”
“You’re the only one available. You’ll take the last leg.”
It was the annual sports day, so the rest of the afternoon was filled with all manner of sports and track events. The school had four house teams; Gertie was in Trueman. As the afternoon wore on, it became obvious that it would be a two horse race to determine which house would win the cup. By the time it came to the last event of the day, the relay, Trueman house were level on points with Gilbert house.
“This is terrible,” Gertie said. “Everything depends on this race, and I have to run the last leg. I’ll come last for sure.”
“Don’t panic.” I tried to reassure her. “Have you ever used the ‘faster’ spell?”
“Yeah, once I think.”
“Can you remember it?”
“I think so.”
“Good. When you cast it, make sure you don’t give it too much power—you don’t want to make it too obvious. Okay?”
“I guess so.”
“Good. Look, I can’t come out on the track with you.”
“But, Jill—”
“You’ll be okay. Pop me on the window sill so I can see out. Just before you receive the baton, cast the spell and everything will be fine.”
“What if I lose? Everyone will hate me.”
“You won’t lose—not if you use the spell.”
I was perched on the window sill next to an old pair of socks which Gertie had placed there for me to hide behind—they smelled awful. The window was rather dirty; I had to wipe a small area clean, so I could see outside. The competitors were taking their places. I could see Gertie standing at the last changeover point. Moments later, the starter fired the pistol, and off they went.
It was a mixed event. The first and third legs were to be run by boys, and the second and last legs by girls. By the end of the first leg, all four teams were neck and neck. By the end of the second, two of the runners were out in front; one of those was Gertie’s team. Approaching the end of the third leg, Gertie’s team were trailing in s
econd place. She looked really nervous, and I prayed that she could remember the spell. Whatever happened, she couldn’t afford to drop the baton. Her team mate held it out, and Gertie grabbed it first time. Then she set off at such a pace that I knew the spell had worked. It was incredible: one moment she was ten yards behind the leader, and the next she’d overtaken her, and was at the finish line.
Everyone looked astonished. Her three team mates came rushing over; they were all cheering and jumping up and down with excitement. Gertie looked thrilled.
The announcement came over the loudspeaker: “The winner of the final event is Trueman house. Which means that this year’s sports trophy goes to—Trueman house”.
All of the kids in Trueman house cheered and rushed down onto the track. They surrounded Gertie. Two young men picked her up and put her on their shoulders. She was beaming. I had a feeling that Gertie would be much more popular at school from now on, at least among those in Trueman house.
Once we were back outside her home, Gertie said, “Jill, thank you ever so much.”
“Will you be okay now?”
“Yes, I think so. Julia is really nice. She’s invited me around to her house at the weekend, and I said she can come to mine. Maybe I’ll get some of my friends from Candlefield over, and they can meet her.”
“Why don’t you leave that for a while? Get to know Julia first, and see if you can make a few more friends here before you bring your other friends over.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“So, do you think you’ll be okay at school now?”
“Yeah, it was great today! Did you see what happened when I won the relay race?”
“I did. You were fantastic.” It was so good to see her smiling. “Would you put me down onto the floor now, please?”
She did, and I reversed the ‘shrink’ spell. It felt good to be full size again, but I was absolutely starving.
“Thanks again, Jill.”
“No problem. If you have any more problems, you know where I am. Just give me a shout.”
***
It was the weekend that I’d promised to look after Aunt Lucy’s house. She and Lester had left at the crack of dawn, and she’d given me a key. I’d promised to go over there early morning, and to stay for the weekend. It would be nice to relax for a change. I planned to catch up on some reading, and to generally chill out. Aunt Lucy had promised she’d get in some blueberry muffins and custard creams.
