The Witch in the Woods

by Marian Broderick

  ‘No,’ I said and shook her off. ‘Didn’t you see Verbena?’

  ‘Ver-what?’ said Mary.

  My shoulders slumped. Mary couldn’t remember anything.

  ‘Never mind. Let’s go home,’ I said. ‘My aunties and your mum will be wondering where we are.’

  We walked on in silence. I racked my brain about how I could make Mary believe what had just happened. But how could I do that without admitting I was a witch? Maybe it was time to give it to her straight. I drew a deep breath.

  ‘Something weird has just happened, Mary,’ I said. ‘A nasty witch called Verbena appeared out of nowhere. She put you in a trance and she wants me to take part in a magic circle at full moon. If I don’t, she’ll – she’ll do something bad to you!’

  Mary raised her eyebrows and looked sideways at me. Then she patted me on the arm.

  ‘Good try, Anna,’ she said. ‘Like I’m going to fall for that one.’

  ‘But it’s true!’ I said.

  ‘OK, I’ll play along,’ she said. ‘This witch came from where?’

  ‘From out of a green fog!’ I said.

  ‘I see,’ said Mary. ‘And she went where?’

  ‘She disappeared into thin air!’ I said.

  ‘Right,’ said Mary. ‘And she chose you why?’

  ‘Because I’m a … I’m a natural-born witch!’ I said.

  ‘Of course you are,’ said Mary calmly. Then she giggled and hugged me. ‘Nice one, Anna! It’s fun telling scary stories in the woods! You should write that one down – it’s good!’

  I sighed. I should have known she wouldn’t believe me. I trudged the rest of the way home in silence, only half-listening to Mary’s chatter.

  When we got to Mary’s house, she strolled up her path, turned and waggled her fingers at me.

  ‘Wooooooo!!’ she said. ‘See you tomorrow, Witchy-pants! Don’t forget your broomstick!’

  I watched her let herself in, and plodded up the road towards my own house.

  As I walked up our path, the front door flung open. Aunty Grizz stood on the doorstep with her hands on her hips, a scowl on her face and purple elderberry juice all down her apron.

  Oh great, I thought. Now I’m going to get it for being late as well.

  My two aunties were a little unusual, to say the least – especially this one, Grizz. When I first met her, she was convinced that she was the one with magical powers. She even changed her name to Grizz and made her sister change her name to Wormella so they sounded witchy.

  Grizz and Wormella used to eat worms and bats and all sorts until I put a stop to it. I had such a hard job convincing them that I was the only witch in the house. But eventually they understood that you were either born that way or you weren’t. Thankfully, these days they used the cauldron only to make herbal remedies and the odd stew.

  ‘Anna Kelly!’ said Aunty Grizz. ‘What time do you call this? I thought you’d been kidnapped!’

  ‘Nearly,’ I said. ‘But not quite.’

  ‘Well, don’t hang about,’ she said, peering at me. ‘Into the kitchen with you. You look as white as a ghost.’

  I trailed into the warm kitchen followed by Aunty Grizz. Aunty Wormella smiled at me and lifted a steaming plate out of the oven.

  ‘Anna, at last!’ she said. ‘I do hope these chips are still all right.’

  I threw my school bag onto a corner and slumped onto a chair. Charlie, my black cat, climbed into my lap and snuggled down.

  ‘Don’t want any, thanks,’ I said and put my head in my hands.

  The kitchen went quiet. I’d never turned down chips before. I could feel my aunties looking at each other over the top of my head. Wormella sat down beside me, and I felt her warm hand on my shoulder.

  ‘What’s the matter, dear?’ she said. ‘Detention again, was it?’

  I looked up at Wormella’s round face and Grizz’s thin one. We’d all had our ups and downs since I came to live here, but they were good to me. They protected me and encouraged my magic studies, and I had grown to love them.

  I wanted to tell them everything. To blurt out all about the witch in the woods and the trouble I was in. But as I looked at their anxious faces I knew I couldn’t tell them. They would only worry – and, anyway, they couldn’t help me.

  So I gave myself a shake and sat up straight.

  ‘Aunties,’ I said, ‘have you remembered that I’m having a sleepover on Saturday?’

  Grizz groaned.

  ‘Not more squealing gigglers!’ she said.

  ‘Just one squealing giggler,’ I said. ‘Mary.’

  ‘Little Mary,’ said Wormella. ‘Such a nice girl.’

  ‘You’ll have to promise to behave this time, Anna,’ said Grizz. ‘Last time, I didn’t get a wink of sleep! And you’ll have to look after her yourself, and not expect us to run around waiting on you hand and foot.’

  ‘I’ll look after her all right,’ I said, grimly. ‘Mary and I will be locked in my room the whole time.’

  ‘That’s settled then, dear,’ said Wormella. She edged my plate toward me. ‘Will that help you to eat up your dinner, hmm?’

  I picked up my fork, and started to eat without tasting anything.

  I didn’t have much of a plan yet – but I knew that I had to protect Mary. And to do that, I had to make sure I didn’t let her out of my sight on Saturday night.

  5. VERBENA’S SECOND VISIT

  All that night, I was tortured by nightmares about witches. Witches, witches, everywhere. There were fat ones, thin ones, goofy ones – even boy ones. And they were all swooping through the house on broomsticks, cackling outside my window, and making disgusting potions in the kitchen.

  Then I dreamed of a little green toad, which turned and stared at me sadly with Mary’s wide blue eyes …

  When the first rays of sun peeped through my curtains, I gave up trying to sleep and got up to feed Charlie. He was starving as usual, and barged around my ankles when he saw me taking his cat food out of the cupboard.

  ‘Oh Charlie,’ I said, ‘why didn’t I practise more? I have no idea how to take on someone like Verbena!’

  Charlie didn’t even look up from his bowl.

  ‘Hmph!’ I grumbled. ‘It takes more than a human child’s problem to get between you and your breakfast!’

  When 8 o’clock came, I ran out to meet Mary for the walk to school.

  ‘What’s up with you?’ Mary said as soon as she clapped eyes on me. ‘Been up all night stirring your cauldron, have you?’

  ‘No,’ I said, falling into step beside her. ‘Just couldn’t sleep, that’s all.’

  ‘I’m not surprised,’ said Mary. ‘That little story of yours was quite scary. Which reminds me: Are we still on for a sleepover at yours?’

  ‘Yes! Definitely!’ I said, grabbing her by the lapels. ‘Tomorrow night? OK, Mary? OK?’

  ‘OK, OK,’ she said, pushing me off. ‘Keep your hair on.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I’ve a lot on my mind just now.’

  We were just about to turn a corner when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something moving.

  It was a wisp of green fog.

  Oh no, I thought. Not again!

  The fog edged nearer.

  I rubbed my eyes hard and blinked. Mary laughed.

  ‘You’d better not do that in class,’ she said.

  The fog thickened and started to close in.

  ‘Come on!’ I said, grabbing her arm. ‘Get a move on!’

  ‘Anna!’ said Mary. ‘What’s your hurry? We have loads of time!’

  I broke into a run and dragged her down the road. The fog followed us.

  ‘We just need to … get away!’ I whispered, panting.

  ‘Anna! You are destroying my blazer!’ shouted Mary. ‘Get off!’

  Mary shook me away and we stopped.

  I stared over Mary’s shoulder into the fog. Slowly, before my eyes, a face was forming. Two black eyes appeared first, followed by a grinning mouth
with pointy teeth.

  I screamed and pointed. Mary nearly jumped out of her skin.

  ‘Behind you!’ I shouted. ‘It’s her!’

  ‘What? Who?’ said Mary.

  ‘Verbena!’ I shouted. ‘The witch I told you about last night!’

  I spun Mary around so she could catch sight of the floating foggy face – but I lost my grip and she fell head first into a bush. Above us, Verbena’s floating head laughed silently. Mary scrambled to her feet.

  ‘Have you totally lost your MIND?!’ she shouted, as she brushed leaves off her skirt. ‘There’s nothing there! I’m telling you, Anna, if there’s any dog poo on me, you’re in big trouble!’

  Verbena stuck out her tongue and smirked. Mary would never see her if Verbena didn’t want her t o . Verbena was a witch, after all.

  ‘I’m really sorry, Mary,’ I whispered.

  A tinkling laugh floated on the air. The green fog faded, taking Verbena’s face with it. Soon it had disappeared.

  ‘Are you laughing at me?’ said Mary. ‘It’s not funny, Anna! You scared the life out of me, screaming like that.’

  ‘You don’t understand,’ I said. ‘I’m trying to save you!’

  ‘By shoving me into a bush?’ said Mary.

  ‘That was an accident,’ I said. I hung my head. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘I’m not sure I want to come to your sleepover if this is what you’re going to be like!’ said Mary.

  She stalked off. I ran after her.

  ‘Please, Mary!’ I said. ‘Please don’t back out now!’

  ‘You and your silly stories,’ said Mary. ‘You’ve always got to go too far, Anna!’

  ‘I won’t do it again,’ I said. ‘I promise!’

  ‘Right,’ said Mary. She gazed at me for a moment, and a dimpled smile crept across her face. ‘OK, Saturday it is, then!’

  We chatted the rest of the way to school as usual, but when we walked through the huge iron gates of St Munchin’s, I stopped.

  ’Listen, I need to talk to someone,’ I said. ‘I’ll see you later, OK?’

  I turned and hurried toward Mrs Winkle’s office.

  6. MRS WINKLE’S OFFICE

  At Mrs Winkle’s door, I drew a deep breath and knocked.

  ‘Come,’ she called. I stepped in, carefully closing the door behind me.

  ‘Ah, Anna Kelly,’ she said, peering at me over her glasses. ‘I hope you’re here to tell me you’re coming to the witches’ workshop?’

  ‘Not exactly, Miss,’ I said, pulling threads out of the bottom of my jumper. ‘I’ve … I’ve got a bit of a problem.’

  I told Mrs Winkle all about meeting Verbena in the woods, and about how she wanted me to join her coven on Saturday night, and how she got spiteful when I said no, and how she hypnotised Mary and threatened to take her instead …

  Mrs Winkle frowned.

  ‘Hold on, hold on,’ she said. ‘Do you mean to tell me you’ve been approached by one of our more – unpleasant sisters?’

  ‘Yes, Miss,’ I said.

  ‘Why didn’t you banish her?’ said Mrs Winkle.

  ‘Banish her, Miss?’ I said.

  ‘The Banishing Spell?’ said Mrs Winkle. ‘Remember? From your Beginner Magic? Page 7?’

  ‘No, Miss,’ I said, thinking of the small blue book I’d thrown in the dustbin one particularly naughty night.

  ‘But it’s basic stuff, Anna!’ said Mrs Winkle. ‘You really should know that one by now!’

  ‘Yes, I think I remember seeing it,’ I lied. ‘How does it go again, Miss?’

  Mrs Winkle stood up, straightened her skirt and held up her arms. Walking slowly in a circle, she chanted:

  If a witch’s face you hate to see,

  Bite your lip and count to three;

  Spit on her with all your might

  And she’ll completely fade from sight!

  ‘Great!’ I said, my hopes rising. ‘When Verbena comes back, I’ll just say that spell, gob on her, and she’ll disappear. Right, Miss?’

  ‘Wrong,’ said Mrs Winkle. My heart sank again.

  ‘It’s too late for the Banishing Spell now,’ said Mrs Winkle, sitting down behind her desk. ‘There’s a rule in witchcraft: Once you’ve spoken with a witch, you can’t banish her. You’ll just have to deal with her face-to-face.’

  There was silence. I swallowed hard.

  ‘But you’ll help me,’ I whispered. ‘Won’t you, Miss?’

  Mrs Winkle peered at me over the top of her glasses. Her blue eyes softened.

  ‘I’ll do my best for you, Anna,’ she said. ‘I’ll ring round and find out where this Verbena comes from and what she’s like.’

  To be honest, I was hoping for something a bit more practical. Like for Mrs Winkle to come and trash Verbena and her coven on Saturday night.

  As if reading my mind, Mrs Winkle laughed.

  ‘I can’t solve the problem for you, Anna,’ she said. ‘You’re a witch! You have to learn to deal with things like this by yourself.’

  ‘But how am I supposed to do that?’ I whined.

  ‘I hate to say “I told you so”, Anna – but I did!’ said Mrs Winkle. ‘You should have been practising all this time. Knowledge is power – don’t forget that! Now you’ve got yourself into this pickle, you’ll just have to work extra-hard at Protection Spells to guard Mary and yourself!’

  My skin crawled with shame. There was no way I could confess to Mrs Winkle that I had thrown away Beginner Magic. She’d wash her hands of me completely.

  ‘Thanks, Miss,’ I said and turned to go.

  The phone rang. Mrs Winkle picked it up.

  ‘Yes, Mrs Cuffy,’ she said into the phone. ‘You can give your whole class detention if you need to …’

  As I waited for Mrs Winkle to finish, I trailed my finger along her desk. My fingers touched something smooth and leathery. I pushed aside the papers covering it. It was a blue workbook exactly like the one I’d thrown away, except this one was called Advanced Magic.

  I glanced up to check that Mrs Winkle was still talking on the phone. Then I sneaked the book out from under the pile of papers and shoved it up my jumper.

  As Mrs Winkle hung up, I opened the door and shot into the corridor.

  7. THE SLEEPOVER

  For the rest of Friday, I wandered about St Munchin’s in a dream. I got told off in class by Mrs Cuffy for staring out of the window. Later in the playground, I got thumped by Donna Delaney and her gang for walking through the middle of their skipping game.

  Mary was no help. As we plodded into class after break, she rubbed her hands together and did a high-pitched witchy cackle.

  ‘Hubble bubble!’ she screeched. ‘Toil and trouble!’

  ‘Ha ha, very funny,’ I grumbled.

  I kept thinking about Verbena’s wicked, grinning face. How was I was going to stop her from kidnapping my best friend – even though that friend could be very annoying? Why was I always getting myself into stupid situations?

  I hardly slept at all on Friday night. I kept staring out of my bedroom window at the moon, nearly full and glowing brightly …

  I spent all of Saturday cooped up in my room with Charlie, turning page after page of Advanced Magic. I could hardly understand a word of it. It was complete gobbledegook. Finally, I shoved my old witch’s hat on my head and tried a spell. I made a star shape on the floor with some string.

  ‘Charlie,’ I said, ‘Come here a minute.’Ü

  Charlie jumped off my bed, arched his back and stood inside the star with me. He gazed up at me with trusting golden eyes. I read out the rhyme:

  To make a guard dog from your moggy,

  Wipe his head with something soggy,

  Feed him mice to give him length,

  And watch him go from strength to strength.

  The only soggy thing I had was an old tissue up my sleeve so I rubbed that on Charlie’s head. I wasn’t about to start catching live mice so I gave Charlie some chocolate ones instead.

  Then I stood ins
ide my star, chanted the spell and waited for the magic power to flood through me and into Charlie.

  But all that happened was that I stood there until my legs went to sleep, while Charlie ate too many chocolate mice and was sick in my trainers.

  Meanwhile, the hours and minutes ticked away. I tidied my room, hid Advanced Magic in the wardrobe, and kicked my witch’s hat out the door. I put the disgusting, vomit-y trainers in the washing machine and waited. There was still no sign of Mary …

  At long last, there was a knock on the front door and I heard the patter of Wormella’s feet in the hall.

  ‘It’s all right, aunty!’ I shouted. ‘It’s for me!’

  I raced downstairs and flung open the door.

  ‘Hi!’ said Mary. She was carrying a giant bottle of fizzy drink. ‘Sorry I’m late. Mum said I had to clean out my room or she would ground me for a month.’

  ‘Never mind, you’re here now,’ I said, pulling her through the door. I had a quick look around outside. All was quiet.

  ‘What first?’ I said. ‘TV or pizzas?’

  ‘Pizzas!’ shouted Mary. ‘Yee-hah!’

  The rest of the evening passed doing normal sleepover stuff. We did our nails, watched a movie, played games on my computer, and stuffed our faces. We got into our pyjamas and spent ages talking about everything we could think of.

  All the talking helped me to forget about my problems for a little while, but Mary still noticed something was wrong. She cocked her head on one side and gazed at me.

  ‘Anna, are you OK?’ she said. ‘Why do you keep looking out of the window?’

  ‘It’s nothing,’ I said, closing the window and locking it. ‘It’s just a lovely full moon tonight, that’s all.’

  ‘You look scared, though,’ said Mary, sitting cross-legged on her sleeping bag.

  Her voice dropped to a whisper.