Mauve (A Very British Witch Book 3)

by Isobella Crowley

  Scarlett jumped, placed a hand on her chest and smiled. “This is going to take some getting used to.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You’re coping better than most.”

  Scarlett’s eyes darted from one kitchen cupboard to the other, then back to the fridge. “Think I’ll eat a bit later. I need to go to the shops again. Tell you what, why don’t we go into the living room and relax a bit.”

  No sooner had Scarlett made herself comfortable on the middle seat of the couch, then Raven jumped up and sat on the seat beside her. Scarlett glanced around the room, dropped her face into her hands and sighed through her fingers. “Tell you what Raven, it feels like I’m in an entirely different world, now.”

  “I know exactly what you mean.” Raven appeared to be smiling.

  “Sounds like you’re talking from experience.”

  “Oh yes, you’re not wrong there.”

  “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

  “Really? Okay then, you’d better brace yourself. Some time ago, I used to be a witch. A real-life one—in human form.”

  Scarlett grinned, momentarily lost for words. “That kind of makes sense I suppose. So, what happened?”

  “I had a disagreement with someone. Someone pretty powerful. They put a spell on me and turned me into a talking cat. I’ve been walking on all fours ever since.”

  Scarlett gasped. “That’s amazing. You know, I’m trying to learn one or two things about witchcraft myself. It’s still early days but—”

  Raven smiled. “Relax, it’ll be fine. You’ll be running round putting spells on poor unsuspecting people in no time.”

  They both laughed.

  “You know Raven, if you’d have met me last year, I would never have believed this was going to happen to me. I’d have just assumed it as some kind of neurotic episode and got myself off to the doctor’s. But now—anything seems possible. It seems possible as long as people stick together.”

  “I know exactly what you mean.”

  Scarlett yawned and stretched. “Well, Raven, think I’ll go upstairs and try and get some sleep.” She stood up and patted her seat. “Why don’t you do the same? That is, assuming magic cats sleep on couches.”

  Raven curled up on Scarlett’s warm seat and closed her eyes.

  The day was in full swing when Scarlett awoke. Voices on the street, music blaring, a constant flow of cars, just like any other day. She felt a warm patch on her foot, like something soft was sitting on her.

  “Raven!”

  Raven stared at her with piercing eyes.

  “How long have you been there?”

  “Mmm. Long enough.”

  Scarlett stretched and got out of bed, sending Raven scuttling to the floor. The wardrobe was packed full of clothes, just as it had been a few days ago, but now it felt different. Kind of like a relic from a bygone age.

  Once dressed, she dropped on to her bed, dug her elbows into her thighs and rested her chin her hands. Everything had turned out okay in the end. It had been a close-run thing but, hey, no one had died. And now everything was back to normal and yet everything felt different.

  “Penny for them,” Raven said, curling up beside Scarlett on the bed.

  “Oh, you know, this and that. I was just reflecting again on how everything feels different. What was it like for you? I mean, how did you cope, you know with the change?”

  “Well, the first thing I discovered was I could no longer practice magic. That came as a big shock, I can tell you.”

  “Mmm. I can imagine.”

  “But in other ways very little had changed. I’m still as intelligent and wise as I was before. I soon realized that I could be of great help in other ways, so the fact that I couldn’t practice magic wasn’t too difficult to get my head around.”

  Scarlett smiled. “Yeah, I can see that. So, tell me, how did you manage to find the way out of the base?”

  “Well, I used to be a hacker.”

  “Oh, that explains a lot.”

  “Yes. And when I was captured, I memorized the plans. That’s all there is to it.”

  “Wish my memory was as a good as that. I’d have forgotten right away.” Scarlett’s phone vibrated and pinged. “Oh, it’s Tim. He’s outside. I’ve gotta go, sorry.”

  “Well, it was nice getting to know you, Scarlett. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll be able to release the spell and transform me back to my natural form.”

  “Yeah, that would be good. As long as I keep practicing and reading up on things, my magic powers might just get there, fingers crossed. Excuse me.” She pulled back the curtains and waved at Tim through the window. Scarlett smiled at Raven. “Better go and see what he wants.”

  Tim looked unnaturally refreshed. “Good afternoon there. How are you feeling? I expected to find you at the shop, but Karl was a very poor imposter.”

  “Oh my God, I completely forgot I was supposed to help open the shop! Karl is going to kill me. I’d better get over there as soon as I can.”

  “Calm down now, Scarlett. He was actually happy that you didn’t show up after all you did last night and he is doing just fine by himself. He asked me to tell you that you have the day off!”

  “Well that is very unlike Karl, but stranger things have happened and what a relief as honestly I’m in no mood to be cooped up in there today.” She let out a relieved breath. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve just come to pick you up.”

  “Pick me up? Pick me up for what?”

  “For a date.”

  Scarlett grinned. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes, really, but not just any date.”

  “Oh yeah? Why not eh, what’s going to be special about it?”

  “Because, my dear, it’s a date that will involve lots of talking and clearing the air. I—I…” He broke eye contact. “What I’m trying to say is, I really like you and I think it’s about time that we were honest with each other. I think we should both come clean, don’t you?”

  Scarlett nodded. “Yes. I’d been thinking the same thing myself. One minute please.”

  Scarlett ran back inside and up the stairs into her bedroom. Raven was at on her bed, listening to every word. “Sounds like you’re getting on well.”

  “Yes, yes we are. He’s asked me out on a date, so I’m going out for a few hours. You going to be okay?”

  “Yes, of course I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

  Scarlett headed back towards the door.

  “Oh, and Scarlett?”

  “Yes?”

  “Good luck.”

  Flashing Raven a quick smile, she descended the stairs, locked the door and ran to be with Tim, who was waiting in his car.

  “You okay, dear, you look a bit flustered?”

  “Yes. I was just err—talking to Raven.”

  “Oh yes, the talking cat. How is she?”

  “She’s fine, it’s just—”

  “It’s just what?”

  “I don’t like leaving her. She needs a friend to protect her.”

  A Mewsage from Raven the Cat

  Hello, Raven the Cat here.

  I hope you’ve enjoyed my friend Scarlett's mewsterious adventures so far... she's alright, for a human.

  Now I know what you're thinking, a talking cat is just plain odd, but a lot of strange things happen in Bicester, so I fit in quite purrfectly.

  Scarlett has asked me to keep you up to date on all the goings-on in town while she's busy solving mewsteries, so if you’d like to register for updates, please visit:

  www.isobellacrowley.com

  From time to time I'll send you an email telling you about her new stories. It's no bother to me, we cats love the warmth of a laptop ... well any lap, really.

  Additionally, if you have any feedback for Scarlett, please don't hesitate to pass that on through me. All you need to do is hit reply to any of my emails.

  I process every message purrsonally.

  Looking forward to hearing from you,
<
br />   Raven the Familiar

  (on behalf of Scarlett)

  P.S. Sometimes emails can be funny things... You may want to keep an eye on your junk filters.

  Author notes: Izzie Crowley

  Austin, Wednesday, 19th December, 2018

  Thank yous

  Thank you for reading all the stories to this one, and then also taking the time to read these author notes too. I’m so glad you’re here!

  I’ve said this before, but without you, there would be no point in spending the hours and hours to write these books. It’s because of you that I get to write these stories, and for that I am truly grateful.

  Thank you also if you have taken the time to review this on Amazon. As we know from Ell, reviews are SUPER important for helping other readers not just decide what to read, but also in getting Amazon to show the options to more people in the search results.

  In this way, the success of a series depends on the success of the reviews, and I am truly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to write a review.

  With that in mind I would like to say a special thank you to all the reviewers (at time of writing) for the first two books:

  Scarlett: CaeriNZ, Dennis, Steve, S. Petersen, Mark Plough 1, Krystyna, George Lawson

  John, Walwyn 124C41, Sara L. Skroh, Krys Prendergast, and Andrew Wright.

  Jade: Steve, Richard Leach, and Sara L. Skroh

  Guys – you rock! Thank you!!!

  I’d also like to thank our super awesome JIT team. I super appreciate everything you have done to help get this manuscript in good working order. Thank you for caring, and thank you for your efforts. I deeply appreciate you. <3

  A lot of people go into making a book like this. A big shout out goes to the production team: David, Terry, Brittany, Bel, Amy, and Jeff. Thanks for rallying around this series and giving it the best chance of success.

  I’d also like to thank Ell Leigh Clarke for introducing me to this crazy caper of indie publishing and helping me navigate the challenges. There is a whole process, and I don’t think I could have managed it on my own. Thanks Ell!

  Coming soon: Raven – Book 4

  The next installment of A Very British Witch is in the works already. We hope to have this turned around and ready for consumption about a month from now. For those who like to get hold of bonus chapters, it will likely be available through Ellie-verse Direct before it goes live on Amazon, and KU. If you’re interested in catching it then, make sure you’re on the mailing list and keep an eye out in your inbox for an email with the words Ellie-verse Direct in the subject line.

  There is much more to come in this story….

  The military knows that Ronnie exists now, even if they don’t know his human identity. And though Moseley has suffered a temporary setback, what with his card being implicated in the escape, he’s still the cruel asshole that he’s always been. I don’t think he’s going to just accept that one of his play things has got away. And then there’s this newbie in the group – Raven. I don’t want to give too much away, but you might have guessed from the title of the next book, Raven has something to do with what happens next!

  If you want to be the first to get your hands on the next episode, before it hits Amazon, then go ahead and get on the mailing list here:

  http://isobellacrowley.com/

  Energy healing in Austin

  It’s 6.30 in the morning as I sit writing to you.

  I have an appointment at 9am with a local energy healer. I’m perfectly healthy, but you know how sometimes you just know that something is off?

  I’ve had a sequence of bad interactions with people trying to take advantage of me – financially or otherwise. I’m the common denominator, and yes, I know that I just need to get better at being more mistrustful and aware, but I feel like there is something else going on.

  I don’t know if you’ve noticed but some people just attract angry people, or people who are just down right mean. I think I’m attracting narcissists, and although I’ve done the usual stuff like sage-ing, meditating and taking salt baths, I think it’s time to go and see a professional. Whatever is going on I’m ready to fix it, learn what I need to learn, change whatever belief I need to change, and have that energy released.

  So I’m going to see an energy healer.

  This will be my second session with her. She’s super smart, super aware, and I really like her. So far she’s had me practicing saying no to energies that make me uncomfortable. She even tested me during our last session – which was kinda unnerving. (I love people who have real control over their energy field, but damn it’s scary!) She (energetically) came at me, as if she wanted something. Physically she didn’t move, but pushed energetically. OMG. It took a few tries before I realized what was happening and that I should be saying ‘no!’ energetically as well as verbally.

  Sigh.

  I eventually got the hang of it but now I have to start applying it in the real world. Previously I would just leave a conversation or a room. Now I have to stand my ground and push back. Ohhhh, spiritual evolution. Why are you so necessary?!

  Anyway, I love learning new things, and I’m looking forward to being able to protect myself better going forward. I’ll keep you posted on what happens…

  +++

  On the Beat

  My friend’s hubby is a cop. She and hubby have been on about me going for what is a called a ride-along where you spend a shift with a cop and see what they do when they’re out on the beat. They said it would be good for my writing, especially if I wanted include police procedures or anything cool like that.

  I’ve been fascinated by that kind of thing and have even considered doing some kind of internship with the BAU Behavioral Analysis Unit in the FBI. However, after talking to my friend’s hubby, it sounds like those guys guard their secrets pretty closely and aren’t interested in letting writers or interns shadow them.

  Plus, I think being British is probably another strike against me.

  But anyway, doing a ride along with the local PD is a possibility, so that’s probably something on the cards for after the holidays.

  To be honest, while I’m excited about seeing the job up close, I’m also a little scared. Some of the stories he’s told about the situations these guys get into aren’t pretty. My friend’s hubby is a good guy though. He’s great at diffusing situations and is very competent from what I can tell. I’m sure it’s going to be an eye-opening experience whatever happens.

  Love Izzie xo

  Author notes: Ell Leigh Clarke

  Austin, Wednesday, 19th December, 2018

  Thank yous

  Hey there. I’d like to echo Izzie’s thanks for reading the stories and our author notes. It’s true – without you, there would be no stories, so thank you for making this happen. <3

  Our JIT team of volunteers have been super awesome in helping to get this series off the ground, and I’ll be forever grateful.

  JIT means Just In Time. They step in after the manuscript as been written and edited to help catch any last-minute issues.

  If you have an eagle eye for typos and you’d like to join our special team of readers who help us do the quality check before we put things out, we’d love to have you. Just hit me up with a message on facebook and we’ll go from there.

  As we produce more series and have more collaborators join us down the line there is only going to be more to do – and we’d love to have you on board! :)

  Marry Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda

  I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this before but my friend Amy is an uber fan of the show Hamilton, and by extension Lin-Manuel Miranda.

  She’s seen Hamilton a bunch of times, and is obsess with the history and sound track. She’s even read the tomb of a book that inspired Miranda to write Hamilton. (I think at some point I’ve already mentioned she’s a super-geek, right?)

  Anyway, about four months ago she asked what I’d be doing for Christmas. If you were around last year, you’d
know I stayed home, in my apartment in LA, and basically just hid away for the day. (All my family is in the UK, and to be honest, I don’t really get on with them. The thought of spending another dysfunctional holiday with them was just too much, and so being in another country was the perfect excuse!)

  So I told Amy, nothing, and she explained to me that she has a ritual. Every Christmas day she takes herself off to the cinema to see a movie. On her own.

  She loves it. She says it’s liberating.

  And she gets to do her favorite things: “whatever she pleases!”

  This year though, she’s invited me to go with her! Woot :)

  I’m super looking forward to it. I mean, it’s not like we don’t trot along to the cinema quite a lot. (Less so since MoviePass has been lame. Amy canceled hers. I keep thinking… I’ll hang on one more month and see if they can turn their act around…)

  But this time is going to be particularly special.

  Why?

  Because: Lin-Manuel Miranda!

  It turns out that her favorite person in the whole world (after her new bf!) is staring in the new Mary Poppins movie. Ever since she found out, she’s mentioned it every single week. And every single day since Thanksgiving she’s been checking the cinema’s website to make sure that she locks in our tickets.

  Well yesterday tickets finally went on sale, and we’ve finally managed to reserve them. Marry Poppins is happening on Christmas Day! Clearly I’m not excited as Amy about seeing this movie, but it will be fun.

  Plus, the theatre we go to serves food and adult milkshakes… which are awesome.

  It’s going to be a fun Christmas.

  Deep Work

  If you’ve been with me since my first confession in the author notes of the first Molly book you’ll know that I don’t read. (Well, not fiction anyway. If you’re seeing this for the first time and are outraged, go check out the fuller explanation in Book 2 of the The Ascension Myth – and you might be less outraged).