Witch is How The Dice Fell

by Adele Abbott

“Before you disappear, there’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

  “You’d better look sharp.”

  “There’s something I think you need to know about W.O.W.”

  “What about it?”

  “It’s rather delicate.”

  “Just spit it out, woman.”

  “Okay. The other day, when I was supposed to be giving a speech at W.O.W. HQ, something weird happened.”

  “Yes?”

  “If you remember, you were called out of the room.”

  “Of course I remember.”

  “While you were gone, something really weird happened.”

  “Belinda Cartwheel asked you to take my place as chairman.”

  “You know?”

  “Of course I know. I know everything.”

  “I turned her down, obviously.”

  “More’s the pity. I was relying on you to take the bait.”

  “Hold on, I don’t understand. Why would you want me to help her to oust you?”

  “Because I was hoping that would give you an in with her. There’s more to that woman than meets the eye, and I thought you’d be able to find out what it was.”

  “But you must have known I wouldn’t betray you?”

  “I was certain that you would. I would have done it if the situations had been reversed.”

  “You don’t have a very high opinion of me, do you?”

  “My opinion of you is as high as it has ever been. Now, have we done here?”

  “Not yet. There’s something else I need to discuss with you. I’ve been to a couple of W.O.W. gatherings over the last few days.”

  “Have you now?”

  “I’m sorry if you didn’t get invited.”

  “Of course I was invited, but I have better things to do with my time than eating cake and drawing beetles.”

  “Right. Anyway, according to some of the ladies there, someone is going around, impersonating me. Whoever is doing it is trying to turn people against you.”

  “I know.”

  “You do? How?”

  “Because it was me.”

  “You were impersonating me?”

  “Yes, and I have to tell you, it wasn’t a pleasant experience, but needs must. I had to find out who is for me and who is against.”

  “You don’t think it might have been a good idea to tell me what you were doing?”

  “Not really. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a darts match to play.”

  “But what about Belinda Cartwheel?”

  “You’d better find out exactly what she’s up to, and more importantly, who she’s working with.”

  “Me? Why me?”

  “Because you were the one who wrecked my original plan.”

  “By remaining loyal to you?”

  “Precisely.”

  And with that, she disappeared.

  As I made my way back up the high street, my head was still spinning. Not only had Grandma known that Belinda Cartwheel planned to ask me to take part in a coup, but she’d expected me to agree to it.

  That was the bit that I couldn’t get my head around: The idea that Grandma had expected me to betray her so easily.

  And now, I was supposed to find out what Belinda was up to.

  Fantastic!

  Chapter 20

  Reggie had given me the addresses of the three school governors who had been responsible for appointing Cornelius Maligarth. All three of them, two wizards and a witch, had long since retired from their primary professions. I’d elected not to phone in advance because that would have given them the chance to make an excuse not to see me. I figured it would be much more difficult for them to turn me away if I just showed up on their doorstep.

  According to the very brief notes that Reggie had given me, Randolph Straightstaff was a retired lawyer who had never married.

  “Can I help you, young lady?” He answered the door to his cottage wearing a smoking jacket.

  “Mr Straightstaff? Do you know your jacket is smoking?”

  “I thought I’d put that ciggy out.” He patted his pocket. “Are you from the pharmacy?”

  “Err, no.”

  “Pity. I’m expecting my pills. Are you sure you don’t have them?”

  “I’m positive. Sorry.”

  “I’m down to my last two. I thought I had more.”

  “Right. I wonder if you might spare me a few minutes of your time?”

  “I have to go to the library soon. I only stayed in because I was expecting a delivery from the pharmacy.”

  “This will only take a few minutes.”

  “Okay. Come through to the study.” The room was bursting at the seams with books. The bookcases were all full, and the piles on the floor made it difficult to navigate the room. He had to clear another pile of books from one of the armchairs before I was able to take a seat. “Now, what exactly is it you wanted to see me about?”

  “I understand that you’re one of the governors at CASS.”

  “That’s right.”

  “My name is Maggie Mantle. I’m the feature writer at The Candle. I’m doing an article on the new headmaster of CASS, Mr Cornelius Maligarth. My editor thought it would make a good sup interest story. CASS is, after all, the foremost school in Candlefield.”

  “Quite so. I’m not sure how I can help, though.”

  “I’m trying to gather a little background on Mr Maligarth. His career before he joined CASS, that kind of thing.”

  “Have you spoken to Cornelius?”

  “He’s a busy man, as I’m sure you’re aware. I’m hoping to get an interview with him next week, but in the meantime, I’d like to fill in some of the gaps with your help.”

  “I’m still not sure how I can—”

  “You see, Mr Straightstaff, I find it rather unusual that the normal searches throw up no details of the man whatsoever. Don’t you find that a little peculiar?”

  “Not at all. Cornelius Maligarth isn’t the kind of man to court publicity, so you’re unlikely to find articles about him in the popular press, but I can assure you his credentials are exemplary.”

  “You’ve personally seen evidence of his career prior to joining CASS?”

  “Of course. Do you think we’d appoint someone to such an important position without vetting him thoroughly?”

  “I would hope not.”

  “I can tell you this: the three governors were unanimous in their decision to appoint Mr Maligarth.”

  “Are you aware of the disruption there’s been at the school since his arrival? Several teachers have already felt the need to resign.”

  “That can happen with a new broom, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Teachers, just like anyone else, can become complacent. One of the reasons we appointed Mr Maligarth was that we felt he’d be able to shake up the school.”

  “But some of the teachers who have left are the most—”

  Just then, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  Straightstaff jumped out of his chair. “That must be my pills. I’m sorry, Ms Mantle, but I really must go to the library now.”

  Randolph Straightstaff had been unequivocal in his support for the new head, and adamant that the recruitment process had been thorough. It would be interesting to see if the other two governors shared a similar view.

  ***

  Before I visited the second school governor, I decided to drop in at Cuppy C.

  “Morning, Jill.” Amber was by herself behind the counter. “Your usual?”

  “Just a coffee, please. I’m trying to cut down on the muffins.”

  “Of course you are.” She grinned.

  “Where’s Mindy?”

  “She’s had to nip out to the shops. Our milkman didn’t turn up this morning, and we’re almost out of semi-skimmed.”

  “Is Belladonna upstairs?”

  “Yeah. She’s got a roomful, but you’d never know it. I wish I knew her secret.”

  “I still have my doubts about that woman.”


  “Why? She’s absolutely brilliant at her job, and a really nice person too.”

  “Don’t you think it’s weird how the kids react around her? It creeps me out.”

  “Why have you got it in for her, Jill? She’s the best thing that’s happened to Cuppy C in years. You should see the increase in takings since we opened the creche.”

  “What about the mums? Have there been any complaints?”

  “Not a single one. In fact, they can’t say enough good things about her.”

  “I followed her the other day.”

  “You did what? Why would you do that?”

  “I have this bad feeling about her. Something doesn’t ring true.”

  “Did she see you?”

  “Of course she didn’t. Have you forgotten I’m a P.I? I do this sort of thing for a living.”

  “You mustn’t do it again. We don’t want to lose her.”

  “Don’t you want to know where she went?”

  “No.”

  “To the graveyard. Are you going to tell me that isn’t creepy?”

  “Of course it isn’t. She was probably visiting the grave of a relative or friend. Did she take flowers with her?”

  “Yes.”

  “There you are, then.”

  “The grave where she laid the flowers is unmarked.”

  “Maybe the inscription has worn away. That can happen.”

  “That’s not it. That headstone had never been inscribed.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You had no right to follow her or to intrude on her privacy.”

  “Whose privacy?” Mindy came through the door, carrying four large cartons of milk.

  “Jill doesn’t trust Belladonna,” Amber blurted out before I could say anything.

  “Why not?” Mindy put the milk into the fridge. “She’s lovely.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her, but Jill has a bee in her bonnet.”

  “Haven’t you seen how she is with the kids?” Mindy said.

  “I have, yes. Don’t you find it all a bit too good to be true?”

  “She’s just very good at her job.”

  Just then, a woman with a small toddler came through the door. “Is there any room upstairs?”

  “Yeah, go on up,” Amber said. “What can I bring you?”

  “I’ll have a small cappuccino and a millionaire’s shortbread, please.”

  “What do you think of the new creche?” Amber asked her.

  “It’s fantastic. Just what Candlefield needed.”

  “What about Belladonna?”

  “She’s amazing. I wish I could take her home with me.”

  Amber shot me a ‘told you so’ look.

  ***

  The second school governor on Reggie’s list was Francesca Greylock, a witch and retired civil servant.

  “Are you that reporter woman?” she said, before I even had a chance to speak.

  “Yes. Maggie Mantle from The Candle.”

  “Randolph Straightstaff called me. He said you’re writing some kind of article on Cornelius Maligarth.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I’ve just spoken to Cornelius. He knows nothing about any article.”

  “I’ve been trying to get a hold of him, but he’s a very busy man. Obviously, I’ll speak to him before we publish anything.”

  “I would certainly hope so.”

  “In the meantime, could you spare me a few minutes?”

  “You really should have called first. I can give you fifteen minutes, but then I have to go into town.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Come through to the kitchen. I’d just made myself a coffee. Would you like one?”

  “No, thanks.”

  The kitchen looked out over the back garden, which was full of cats; there must have been at least six of them.

  “You’re a cat lover, I see?”

  “Err, yes. Now, what do you want to know?”

  I put the same concerns to her as I had to Randolph Straightstaff: the absence of any information about Maligarth in the public domain, and the detrimental effect he seemed to be having on the existing teaching staff.

  Her response pretty much mirrored that of Straightstaff. She was adamant that Maligarth was well qualified for the post, and she seemed unconcerned by the resignations of some of the teaching staff.

  By the time I left Francesca Greylock, I was beginning to doubt my own instincts: First Belladonna and now Maligarth. Maybe I was starting to see evil where it didn’t exist.

  “Young lady! Excuse me, young lady!” An elderly man was hurrying up the road behind me. “Could I have a word?”

  “Sure.”

  He glanced behind him. “Can we go in the park? I don’t want Fran to see me talking to you.”

  “Okay.”

  He led the way down the road and around the corner to a small park. Once inside, we took the bench closest to the gates.

  “I’m Oswald Greylock. Francesca’s husband.”

  “Maggie Mantle.”

  “I overheard you talking to Fran. To tell you the truth, I was deliberately eavesdropping. I hope you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  “This is all rather awkward. You’ll probably think me a silly old goat.”

  “You obviously have something on your mind. You might as well tell me.”

  “It’s just that—” He hesitated. “It’s just that Fran isn’t herself. She hasn’t been for some weeks now.”

  “Not herself in what way?”

  “In every way.” He laughed nervously. “Like I said, I’m probably just being silly.”

  “Can you give me any examples?”

  “There are so many. Fran has always been a tea drinker; she would never touch coffee. Now, suddenly that’s all she’ll drink. And the way she talks to me. She’s always been a softly spoken woman, but now she’s quite brash. And then there are the cats.”

  “What about them?”

  “She’s always been a cat lover.”

  “I noticed you have a few of them.”

  “That’s just it. Fran always insisted on keeping them in the house with us. They were house cats, she said. Too delicate to be left outside. Now, she won’t let them in the house. I’m not really a cat lover myself, but I feel sorry for them. They don’t know what’s hit them.”

  “That is rather strange.”

  “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I just felt like I had to speak to someone or I’d go crazy.” He stood up. “You won’t tell Fran what I said, will you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “It’s probably just her age.” His nervous laugh was back. “I’d better get back before she realises I’ve gone.”

  What was I supposed to make of that?

  The final school governor on Reggie’s list was a wizard named Adrian Bowler, who had worked in advertising before he retired.

  It was third time unlucky. There was no answer when I knocked on his door, and no sign of life inside as far as I could make out. I was just about to leave when someone called to me from the adjoining house.

  “Are you looking for Adrian?” The elderly wizard had a bald head and a long grey beard.

  “Yes. Do you know when he’ll be back?”

  “I’m afraid not. He went out first thing.”

  “Not to worry. I’ll come back later.”

  “Are you a friend of Adrian’s?”

  “I—err—”

  “It’s just that I’m a little worried about him. I thought maybe you’d know if there’s something wrong. He won’t talk to me about it.”

  “What makes you think there might be something wrong?”

  “We’ve been neighbours for almost twenty years. He and I lost our wives at about the same time. Since then, we’ve been very close. We used to spend time together most days. Either he’d come around to my house, or I’d go over to his, for a cup of tea and a chat. But then, a few weeks ago, he stopped coming around, and
whenever I call on him, he makes some excuse why he can’t chat. It feels like I’ve done something to upset him, but I have no idea what. I thought maybe you’d have some idea what’s caused the change in him. Has he been ill, do you know?”

  “I’m afraid that I don’t know him very well. Sorry.”

  “It’s me who should apologise. What must you think of me, accosting a complete stranger?”

  “Don’t be silly. I can see you’re worried about your friend.”

  “When he comes back, shall I mention that you called?”

  “There’s no need. I’d rather it be a surprise.”

  ***

  My something isn’t right meter was buzzing.

  Francesca Greylock’s husband had been so concerned that his wife was acting peculiarly that he’d followed me up the street to talk to me about it. And now Adrian Bowler’s neighbour had expressed similar concerns.

  What about Randolph Straightstaff? He lived alone, so I couldn’t check with his partner, but maybe one of his neighbours had noticed a change in him. It was worth checking, so I headed back there.

  I was in luck. There was a woman in the garden of the adjoining cottage. She was standing on a stepladder, cutting the hedge that ran between the two properties.

  “Excuse me.” I had to shout to be heard over the electric hedge trimmer.

  “Sorry?” She turned it off.

  “Could I have a quick word?”

  “Come in.” She pointed to the gate.

  “It looks like you have your work cut out.”

  “It’s my first time doing this. I’m scared that I might take my arm off.” She got down from the stepladder, and put the trimmer on the floor. “Can I help you?”

  I lowered my voice. “I wanted a word about your neighbour.”

  “Randolph? You don’t have to whisper. He’s gone out.”

  “Is he still at the library, do you know?”

  “At the bookies, more like. He spends most days in there.”

  “He likes a bet, then?”

  “Sorry, who are you?”

  “I—err, I’m a teacher at CASS. Mr Straightstaff is a governor there.”

  “I know. And a very good one he used to be.”

  “Why do you say: Used to be?”

  “There was a time, until quite recently actually, when I would have said he was ideally suited to the role of a school governor. A learned gentleman who couldn’t do enough for you.”