by Lynne North
From the herb garden they moved on to the nearby wood, which Bertha said she considered to be far too much walking for anyone. She was well out of breath by the time Miss Fiendish stopped again. The big girl looked around hopefully for somewhere to sit down. She couldn’t see anywhere suitable. ‘This is a nightmare!’ she muttered to Gertie.
Gertie was thoroughly enjoying herself. Once again, she almost instinctively took in what Miss Fiendish was telling them. She felt she knew things already, without checking in her wonderful book. When she did check, she was always right. This was a first for Gertie, and thrilled her no end. She knew how to use the bark of various trees, and what to use them for. She realised nettles could give strength to the whole body because they contained calcium, iron and potassium. She remembered that lavender was good for headaches, and peppermint for upset stomachs. She even knew most of the things dandelions could be used for. Gertie was seeing the world through new eyes, and she believed this was all thanks to Miss Fiendish.
Suddenly, one of the girls screamed and flapped her arms. It was Haggie. She was trying to keep an owl away from her face.
Oops thought Gertie. That’s my Owl.
Unfortunately, Owl wasn’t seeing his world through new eyes, but was still using his old ones.
‘Owl!’ she called. ‘I’m here, Owl!’
Owl fluttered over following Gertie’s voice, and carefully examined her face from a few inches away as he had been trying to do with Haggie. Reassured this was his witch, he settled on her shoulder.
Everyone was watching in astonishment, including Miss Fiendish. Gertie knew she had to explain.
‘Sorry, Miss,’ she began. ‘But Owl is my familiar.’
‘So familiar,’ interrupted Fang, ‘that he doesn’t even know who you are.’
‘That’s not true!’ snapped Gertie. ‘He doesn’t see very well,’ she explained in a quieter voice to Miss Fiendish. ‘That’s all.’
‘Well now,’ said Miss Fiendish moving over to scratch Owl behind his ear. ‘What a fine owl you are too.’
Owl put his head on one side for a better scratch, and then leaned forward to peer more closely at Miss Fiendish. He just about righted himself before he fell off Gertie’s shoulder. Gertie sensed he was wondering if he knew this new ear-scratcher. He would probably try to remember her, because from the look on his face he thought she had a lovely scratch.
The class continued their walk, which had become more of a stagger in Bertha’s case. Owl soon got bored and fluttered off again, narrowly missing a wide branch as he launched himself into the air. He sort of ducked and swerved at the same time in mid air. He had got quite good at it over the years. It was the reason he was still alive.
Some of the pupils laughed and looked at Gertie, but Miss Fiendish quietened them with a stern ‘Pay attention, class.’
On the edges of the wood nearest to the side of the Academy was a well stocked flower garden. Gertie thought it was lovely and pretty. Most witches didn’t however. Such sweet smells and colours weren’t to the liking of a true witch. They kept the garden so well stocked and looked after it for one reason only, for the ingredients to their spells.
More of the class recognised the flowers here, because they had seen them so many times before. Not many knew what they could be used for however. Gertie stared at them, guessed in her mind, and checked her book. She was right. The trainee witch knew how to use the pansies and poppies, the primroses and marigolds, the foxgloves and aloe vera, almost as if they had big signs on their heads to tell her how. She kept quiet, but inside she was positively beaming.
By the time class was over and everyone was dismissed, for the first time in her life Gertie felt quite magical.
What a wonderful way to end another week at the Academy. She couldn’t wait to see Ma and Gran when they came to visit tomorrow. She had so much to tell them!
Chapter Twelve
Gertie was up bright and early. She knew Ma and Gran would be on their way to see her, probably already. It was a feeling that made her stomach flutter with excitement. She missed them both terribly. Gertie had never known life without one or the other of them there to talk to before. The Academy was wonderful, but she would like to be back in Vile Vale again too.
It was a warm day, so Gertie went out into the grounds of the Academy while she waited. Bertha was back in bed. She’d made sure she didn’t miss her breakfast, but had then returned to her room for her weekend lie-in.
Gertie stared idly up at the sky looking for any sign of approaching broomsticks. She let her mind wander over her time at the Academy so far. She had been to a few classes about “The Point”, “The Grimace”, and “The Voice” now. Each one was similar to the first class, but in a little more depth. They usually involved a few more tips, and practice. Gertie had decided she liked the new classes best. She never knew what she was going to be taught in them, so they were all the more exciting. The little witch knew a lot of new subjects were still to come. There was the class about Familiars, one on Crystal Balls, another to learn the Fire Spell (which Gertie tried not to think about) and a Levitation class in preparation for Broomstick lessons. With new classes, Gertie could always believe she might do well. She was usually an optimistic kind of girl in most cases. What she didn’t enjoy much was going back for further classes she didn’t feel she was very good at. Which was most of them. Though the teachers tried to give her encouragement, Gertie didn’t feel she was getting any better at the Grimace or the Voice. The Point, maybe. She could keep quite a steady hand. Not that she could think of a reason why she would want to point at anyone. Her Grimace, and Voice, simply made the whole class laugh. Gertie didn’t enjoy it one bit. Anyway, at least now she had found a class she was longing to go back to. Miss Fiendish was the best teacher ever.
Gertie decided to practice her point and grimace while she was waiting. Just as she had twisted her face up into what she hoped was her best grimace yet, she caught sight of something out of the corner of her screwed up left eye. It was Ma, waving madly!
Gran was close behind, calling out, ‘Hello, you little Devil! Good grimace, I knew you could do it!’
Ma landed and dropped her broomstick to the ground, just in time to catch the running Gertie in her arms. Ma hugged her so tightly the little girl could hardly breathe.
Ma finally let her go, and Gertie turned to see Gran standing waiting with a wide grin showing her broken, pointy teeth.
‘Come here, you little Imp,’ she grimaced. ‘My, I’m sure you’ve grown.’
‘Did you really like my grimace, Gran?’ asked the young witch in excitement.
‘The best I’ve ever seen you do,’ replied Gran truthfully. It was the only one she had ever seen her do.
Gertie was so pleased.
Once all the hugging was over the three went hand in hand, with Gertie in the middle, to sit on one of the wooden benches set around the Academy.
Gertie talked so fast that Ma and Gran had to stop her a few times because they couldn’t tell a word she was saying.
‘So, you’re happy here?’ Ma interrupted at one point.
‘Oh yes,’ replied Gertie right away. ‘I miss you both of course, but time goes quickly because there is so much to learn.’
‘And what have you learned now?’ asked Gran with genuine interest.
Gertie told them everything, but especially about Miss Fiendish, her signed book, and the protective spells and potions. She was so pleased she could also tell them how well she was doing in Miss Fiendish’s class. She skipped over the other classes a little so not to disappoint them.
Her Gran listened quietly as Gertie went on and on about the herbs, plants and cures, but Gertie could tell her mind was pondering something else. She had a look in her eyes that said she knew something no one else did. Gertie knew she was right when she saw Gran give Ma one of her knowing looks.
When Gertie reached the part about wearing a pentacle for protection, a special glance passed between Ma and Gran. Gertie
had no idea why.
Gertie told them everything she could remember about the lessons, Bertha, and the moat monster who she hadn’t met yet. By the time Gertie ran out of breath, and things to say, it was lunchtime.
The cooks always prepared more at weekends to cater for visitors too. The visitors had to pay for their meals. It all helped towards the funds to keep the Academy running.
As they ate, Ma explained she had made arrangements to see Miss Wick later. Gertie looked a little anxious, but Ma reassured her that nothing was wrong. She just wanted to ask the Headmistress something. Gertie wondered if it was anything to do with the paying she wasn’t supposed to know about. She didn’t mention it.
Gran watched Bertha shovel food into her mouth with some degree of horror. ‘That lass can eat one more potato than a pig,’ she said in a low voice to Gertie. ‘I mean, I have a good appetite, but she could eat me under the table.’
‘She just gets very hungry,’ replied Gertie, a little ashamed for her friend but trying to defend her all the same. ‘She’s very nice, really.’
‘I’m sure she is,’ replied Gran. ‘And any friend of yours is alright by us. Not ‘alf a big one though, isn’t she?’
Ma gave Gran a nudge, so she shut up and reached for another devil cake. They made them so tasty at the Academy.
As they were leaving the dining room later, Miss Wick was in the hallway with another witch. Gertie saw Ma pointed out to the Head, who then came over.
‘Hello, Mrs Grimthorpe,’ she began. ‘I believe you want to see me about your Gretel?’
‘Gertie,’ said Gran.
‘Yes, yes. Is anything wrong? Is little Grotchen not settling in?’
‘Gertie,’ Gran said louder this time, her eye beginning to twitch.
‘Nothing like that,’ replied Ma. ‘Gran, would you like to take Gertie back outside and I’ll join you in a minute?’
‘I better had,’ replied Gran.
By the look in her eye, Gertie knew she meant; before I get the urge to use the Evil Eye on that fool of a Headmistress.
‘Come on, GERTIE,’ she emphasised. ‘We’ll wait for your Ma at the pond. Let’s go over to see Wart.’
‘Oh yes!’ said Gertie with a smile. ‘I think he misses you.’
Off the two went leaving Ma with Miss Wick.
Gertie didn’t have time to wonder what Ma was asking Miss Wick as she and Gran walked over to the pond hand in hand. Gran asked her about Wart and Owl. Gertie happily told her what they had been getting up to.
Arriving at the pond, Gertie looked about expectantly. There was no sign of Wart. She called his name, and walked around, but no toad was to be seen. Just as Gertie began to wonder if there was anything to worry about, Gran pointed him out.
‘There he is, the little blighter. He looks like he’s got himself a friend.’
Gertie followed Gran’s pointing hand. Yes, there he was on his way over. He was being followed by a smaller, slightly warty, toad.
‘Where have you been, Wart?’ called Gertie bending to the murky water. ‘I was worried about you!’
‘Croak, croak,’ said Wart in greeting.
‘Yes, I can see that you’re alright now,’ replied Gertie brightly. She picked up the slimy toad, and stroked his back. The other toad simply sat by the pond looking up at her with a puzzled expression.
‘Who’s your friend?’ asked Gertie, staring back into the eyes of the little toad. ‘What’s his name?’
‘Looks to me like our Wart has got himself a girlfriend,’ replied Gran with a chuckle. ‘Is that right, Wart, my old fella?’
‘Croak,’ replied Wart.
‘Ooooh goody!’ said Gertie. ‘Now I can have TWO toad friends!’
Gran gave a little groan, but changed it into a smile as Gertie looked at her.
Ma arrived at that moment.
‘Look, Ma!’ said Gertie with enthusiasm. ‘Wart has a girlfriend!’
‘Very nice, dear,’ replied Ma. ‘Maybe we should leave Wart here when you come home for your Birthday next weekend.’
Gertie stared at Ma in open mouthed astonishment. ‘Me, home, back to Vile Vale, for my Birthday?’
‘Yes,’ said Ma with a smile. ‘I’ve sorted it with Miss Wick.’
‘Who has a problem with her memory,’ muttered Gran.
‘Oh yes, yes, yes!’ shrieked Gertie as she put Wart back down again next to his friend, and began to clap her hands. ‘Can Bertha come?’ she suddenly asked.
Ma and Gran looked at each other in horror. Gertie’s face fell, and Ma must have noticed.
‘I’ll see what we can sort out,’ she agreed.
‘But…’ began Gran, then obviously thought about how happy their little witch had looked. She added no more.
Wart and his friend had hopped back into the pond and were swimming about happily together.
‘Uhm, maybe there won’t be time to ask permission from Bertha’s family?’ asked Ma, a look of hope in her eyes.
‘Oh yes,’ replied Gertie. ‘Her ma is coming here this afternoon. She likes a lie-in at weekends.’
‘It figures,’ muttered Gran. ‘Where do we get a super reinforced broomstick before next weekend?’ she asked quietly.
‘Shh,’ hissed Ma. ‘We’ll sort it somehow.’
Gran shook her head and tutted.
Gertie knew they would give in. Ma was too soft with her really, but she wouldn’t disappoint Gertie for the world.
Gran smiled, admitting defeat. ‘We’ll think of something, though at the moment I don’t know what that could possibly be. I have visions of my broomstick plummeting to earth with the giant on the back.’
After waving bye to Wart and his friend, the three headed back to the Academy to see if Bertha’s ma had arrived. She had, and didn’t need any pointing out. Gertie would have picked her out even if she hadn’t been stood next to Bertha handing over a huge box of goodies. Bertha’s ma was even bigger than Bertha, and that took some doing. Her chins had several more chins of their own.
‘That must be Bertha’s ma,’ said Gertie excitedly running over.
‘Guess so,’ replied Gran, nodding. ‘She must have an incredibly strong broomstick,’ she couldn’t stop herself adding.
Bertha’s ma was fussing over whether Bertha was getting enough to eat when Ma and Gran arrived. ‘After all, you’re a growing girl,’ she added.
‘Isn’t she just,’ said Gran to Ma.
Ma gave Gran her ‘DON’T’ look.
Gran returned her ‘who me? As if I would’ expression.
The families were introduced to each other. Bertha’s ma seemed pleased that Bertha had found herself a friend.
‘Do you think my Bertha has lost weight?’ Ma Bobbit asked. Before they had time to reply she added, ‘I don’t know though, because my little girl does only put on weight in certain places.’
‘Maybe she should stay away from them, then,’ Gran replied before anyone had time to stop her.
No one seemed to notice. Ma hurriedly began to speak about Gertie’s Birthday.
Bertha looked so excited, Ma Bobbit smiled in delight. ‘And here’s what I’ll do,’ she replied. ‘I’ll come here next Saturday to bring Bertha to your village, then pick her up to bring her back on Sunday. How’s that?’
Gran smiled with relief.
That was one problem solved. Gertie thought that all they had to sort out now was where Bertha could sleep, and how much food they would need for the few friends who might be coming around. A lot more than they had previously planned now that Bertha was coming too, no doubt.
Chapter Thirteen
Gertie awoke on Sunday morning with a little thrill of excitement. She was going home next weekend for her Birthday! She would be ten years old. That sounded quite grown up when you were only used to single figures. Gertie wondered if she would feel any different. Probably not. Still, it was wonderful she could spend her birthday with Ma, Gran, and Bertha.
Gertie was full of herself chatting with Bertha o
ver breakfast about next weekend. Well, Gertie chatted while Bertha listened and ate. Bertha was excited too, but showed it in different ways. Excitement made her hungry. As did most things.
Once breakfast was over and Bertha had headed back to bed for a few hours to sleep breakfast off, Gertie wondered what to do with her day. Owl was out already, so she decided to see how Wart was getting on with his girlfriend. Crossing the moat, it suddenly occurred to Gertie that she still hadn’t seen the moat monster. She decided there and then her task for today would be to at least catch a glimpse of him. She remembered what Bertha said. The moat monster lived mainly over the side of the moat overlooked by her room. Gertie decided to head over to the side of the Academy where the blasted heath was before going to see Wart.
Gertie was soon peering hopefully into the moat looking for any sign of the monster. She couldn’t see anything that looked remotely like a monster. Slime, floating things, murky water, yes, but no monster. She sat down cross legged and waited. Maybe he wasn’t up yet. Now and then she saw a few ripples, but nothing more. Soon, Gertie began to get bored. She liked to be doing something all the time. Being a determined little girl however, she stayed a while longer. Just as she was considering giving up, she saw something green and scaly break the surface. It then bobbed right back under the water again in an instant. Feeling quite excited, Gertie called, ‘Hello!’
There was no reply, nor any movement. She tried again.
‘Hello!’
She could now make out a vague green shape under the murky water.
‘Hello!’ she tried again, adding ‘Hello, Mr Monster!’
The top of a scaly head broke the surface quite near to where Gertie now stood waving, followed by two snake-like eyes and two nostrils. The nostrils snorted in a disgusted way on spotting Gertie, and the monster sank back into the water again.
‘Mr Monster!’ Gertie called. ‘Please come to say hello. MR MONSTER!’ she shouted even louder.
The head surfaced quickly this time, followed by quite a long neck and thin shoulders.
