Witch Is How Dreams Became Reality (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 32)

by Adele Abbott

  “That’s—err—great.”

  “And as a thank you for everything you’ve done for me, I shall dedicate my next collection to you.”

  “That’s very kind, but it isn’t necessary.”

  “It’s the least I can do because I truly think of you as my muse.”

  Chapter 14

  By the time I got back downstairs, Grandma had arrived. Everyone was in the dining room, and they’d already changed into the green witch’s outfits.

  “What do you look like?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

  “It’s good of you to join us, Jill.” Grandma fixed me with an icy gaze. “Better late than never.”

  “I was here before you, but I had to deliver a trophy to the tortoise.”

  “Priorities, Jill. Priorities! Witchgiving is one of the most important dates in the witch community calendar, and it would be nice if you could show it some respect.”

  “I’m sorry. Can I ask, why green costumes?”

  “Because it’s Witchgiving of course.”

  “Yes, but—never mind. I guess you don’t have a spare costume for me. What a pity.”

  “Of course I do. I wasn’t sure of your size, so I brought you a choice of two. They’re on Lucy’s bed. Hurry up and get changed because we’re about to start.”

  “Okay.”

  As I made my way out of the room, the twins were both grinning inanely. Whatever could be amusing them?

  It didn’t take me long to find out.

  The first of the green outfits was at least three sizes too big for me. The second was a perfect fit except for the length; it was practically a mini skirt. I was seriously considering refusing to wear either of them, but then I thought about what Grandma would do to me and decided to make do with the mini skirt.

  “Nice knees!” Amber giggled.

  “Shut it, you!”

  “Hurry up and sit down, Jill.” Grandma tapped the chair next to her. “You’ve kept us waiting quite long enough already.”

  “Sorry. By the way, Grandma, I’ve solved the mystery of my dreams.”

  “Do I look like I care?”

  “It was a dream-stone.”

  “Fascinating. Now, onto more important matters. As I’m sure you all know, Witchgiving is a tradition that goes back centuries. On this day, witches all over Candlefield meet as a family to enjoy traditional food, and to discuss potions and spells. Last night, while you lot were no doubt tucked up in bed, I was preparing today’s meal.”

  I raised my hand. “Actually, Grandma, I had a big breakfast, and I’m not very hungry.”

  “I expect all of you to try each of the dishes. It’s the least you can do, given the amount of time I’ve spent on them. Lucy, would you bring the first course through?”

  With none of her usual enthusiasm, Aunt Lucy headed for the kitchen.

  “I’ll give you a hand.” I was on my feet and out of the door before Grandma could object.

  “Have you seen the length of this skirt?” I said, once we were in the kitchen.

  “You have nice legs, Jill.”

  “It barely covers my bum. I’m sure she did it on purpose.”

  “A few hours and it’ll all be over.”

  “What’s the first course?”

  “Soup.” She lifted a huge pan off the hob.

  “It’s the same colour as these costumes. What’s in it? Peas?”

  “Yes. Peas, thistles, toads and rhubarb.”

  “Toads?”

  “Just joking.” She laughed. “Sorry.”

  “What does it taste like?”

  “Better than it looks, thank goodness.” She poured the soup into four bowls, and we each carried two through to the dining room.

  “Mmm, yummy!” Grandma was soon slurping it down with gusto.

  The rest of us, not so much.

  Aunt Lucy was at least making an effort, but the twins were basically just stirring the soup with their spoons. I felt I owed it to Grandma to at least taste it.

  Yuk, and double yuk!

  “What do you think?” Grandma looked at me, expectantly.

  “It’s—err—really—err—different.”

  “Maybe a touch more rhubarb next time? What do you think, Lucy?”

  “It’s as lovely as it always is, Mother.”

  “Have you two actually drunk any of it yet?” Grandma glared at the twins. “Even Jill has given it a try.”

  “Yes, come on, you two.” I grinned. “Give it a go.”

  The twins looked as though they both wanted to strangle me, but I didn’t care. That would teach them to mock my knees.

  “Right!” Grandma lifted the bowl to her lips to finish the last of her soup. “It’s time for the main course, I think.” She looked over at the twins who still had full bowls. “You two can clear this lot away while your mother brings in the stew.”

  Stew? Oh no, it couldn’t be, could it?

  “It’s okay, girls, I’ll take these.” Before the twins could argue, I’d grabbed the bowls, put them on a tray, and hightailed it through to the kitchen where Aunt Lucy was just taking the pan of stew off the hob.

  “What’s in that?” I took one look at the brown, lumpy mush, and thought I was going to throw up.

  “No one knows. It’s Grandma’s secret recipe.”

  “Have you eaten it before?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “It can’t possibly taste as bad as it looks, can it?”

  “It’s quite nice, actually.”

  “Really?”

  “No, it’s absolutely vile. Just try to eat a couple of mouthfuls. That’s all I ever manage.”

  “Are there any crunchy bits in it?”

  “A few, yes.”

  “Do you know what they are?”

  “I’ve never dared to ask.”

  Gulp! Surely Grandma had been joking about the toe-nail clippings, hadn’t she?

  Joking or not, I wasn’t taking any chances.

  Just as she had with the soup, Grandma eagerly tucked into the main course. Under pressure from her, the twins managed a few mouthfuls, and then turned a shade of green not unlike the colour of their costumes.

  “What’s Barry doing out there?” I pointed to the window. “I thought he was at Dolly’s?”

  While everyone followed my gaze, I tipped the mush into the large plant pot behind my chair.

  “That’s not Barry.” Aunt Lucy gave me a puzzled look. “It’s a greyhound.”

  “Is it? Oh yes. My mistake.”

  The twins had both spotted my empty bowl and were glaring at me. I wouldn’t have put it past them to grass me up, so I got in first. “That was delicious, Grandma.”

  “It’s my own super-secret recipe.”

  “So I understand.”

  “Why don’t you have seconds, Jill?” Pearl said.

  “Yeah.” Amber nodded. “I bet there’s plenty left.”

  “I’m very tempted, but I’m too full. You two don’t seem to have eaten much yet, though. Come on, girls. Think of all the work Grandma has put into this.”

  Thankfully, dessert was ice cream, which despite its weird colour (black), was actually very tasty.

  After we’d finished, I volunteered to help Aunt Lucy with the washing up.

  “What happens next?” I said.

  “Prepare yourself to be bored out of your mind for the next three or four hours. We have to spend the whole time discussing spells and potions. It’s tedious beyond belief.”

  Just then, Amber and Pearl came to join us.

  “How did you two manage to escape?” Aunt Lucy said.

  “Grandma fell asleep, so we sneaked out.”

  “Maybe if we all stay in here, she’ll sleep all afternoon,” I said.

  “We can always hope.” Aunt Lucy grinned.

  “By the way, Mum,” Pearl said. “That plant of yours is looking rather ill.”

  “Yeah.” Amber gave me a knowing look. “It’s almost as though something
has poisoned it.”

  “What’s going on in here?” Grandma made her usual quiet entrance. “Come on, you lot, I have a surprise for you.”

  The four of us exchanged a look, in the certain knowledge that whatever the surprise was, it wouldn’t be anything good.

  As we made our way back into the dining room, I collared the twins. “Why did you have to lie about the plant dying? You were just trying to get me in trouble.”

  “We weren’t lying. See for yourself.”

  Oh bum! The plant, which an hour ago had looked strong and healthy, was now all brown and withered. Thank goodness I hadn’t eaten that stuff.

  Grandma waited until we were all seated before saying, “For reasons I’ll never understand, it seems that not everyone shares my love for this part of Witchgiving. What better way to spend a few hours than with an in-depth discussion of potions and spells?”

  I considered telling her that I’d prefer to have my eyes poked out with a red-hot poker, but then thought better of it.

  She continued, “So, in order to keep your interest, I thought we ought to liven things up a little.”

  “This I have to see,” Aunt Lucy said under her breath.

  “Pardon, Lucy?”

  “Nothing, Mother. I was just clearing my throat.”

  “Hmm. As I was saying, in order to make things more interesting for those of you with the attention span of a gnat, I’ve decided to combine our discussion with the game of charades.”

  “Did you just say charades?” Aunt Lucy looked gobsmacked.

  “Yes. Whoever is it will act out the name of a popular potion or spell, and once the others have guessed it correctly, we can move onto the discussion. What do you think?”

  The stony silence spoke volumes.

  Undeterred by the less than effusive response, Grandma kicked off the game.

  I feel it would be an act of unnecessary cruelty to describe in detail proceedings from then on. Suffice to say, it took the best part of an hour for the three of us to come up with the correct answer to the first potion. But then, Crabby’s Grey Brew would surely have tested the most seasoned charades player.

  “At last.” Grandma sighed. “So now to the interesting part where we get to discuss this particular potion. As I’m sure you are all already aware, Crabby’s Grey Brew is—”

  Her riveting monologue was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.

  I glanced at caller display and could see it was Desdemona Nightowl. “Sorry, I have to take this—it could be urgent. Hello, Headmistress.”

  “Jill, I’m sorry to call you on Witchgiving. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “No, that’s okay.”

  “A few of the children became quite upset overnight because of this Old Mother Mason thing. I know you have some experience of ghosts, so I wondered if I might persuade you to come over sometime to see if you can get to the bottom of it.”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  “Thank you. Any time next week will be fine.”

  “Right now? I suppose I could if it’s really urgent.”

  “No, honestly, any time will—”

  “Okay then. I’ll be straight over.” I ended the call.

  All eyes were on me now; none more so than Grandma’s.

  “I’m really sorry.” I held up my arms. “There’s an emergency at CASS and I have to go straight over there.”

  “What kind of emergency?” Grandma demanded.

  “Yeah, Jill,” Amber chipped in. “What kind of emergency is it?”

  “Err, two children have gone missing.” I stood up. “But don’t let me spoil the rest of your day.” I turned to Amber. “Weren’t you going to tell everyone about Crabby’s Grey Brew?”

  Snigger.

  ***

  “You really didn’t need to come straight over here.” Ms Nightowl still had the phone in her hand.

  “I really did, trust me.”

  “Are you sure you have the time to spare?”

  “Absolutely, you’ve actually done me a huge favour.”

  “Green suits you, Jill.”

  Oh bum! I was still wearing the awful green mini skirt.

  “Just hold on a second, Headmistress.” I quickly magicked myself back to Aunt Lucy’s bedroom, got changed, and magicked myself back to CASS. “That’s better. Now, what was it you were saying about this ghost?”

  “There have been rumours for some time now that Old Mother Mason has returned. To be honest, I dismissed those rumours at first. Children have been known to imagine things before, but this time, two members of staff have also confirmed seeing the ghost.”

  “Why would she return after all this time?”

  “That’s what I’m hoping you’ll be able to find out. Although several people have now seen the ghost, none of us are able to communicate with her. I believe that’s something you can do. And, am I right in thinking that you’re also able to travel to—err—what’s it called? Grande Tramagne, is that it?”

  “Yes, but no one calls it that. Everyone calls it Ghost Town or G.T. for short. And, yes, I am able to go there. I’ll be glad to help. How do you suggest we proceed?”

  “Could you come over one day after the children have retired for the night? The ghost seems to haunt the corridors outside the dormitories.”

  “Okay, but I do have quite a lot of work on at the moment. Would it be alright if I gave you a call during the week to arrange something?”

  “Of course. That would be most helpful. Anyway, I mustn’t keep you any longer. You’ll want to get back to your Witchgiving celebrations.”

  “What? Yes, of course. I’ll be in touch in the next few days.” I was just about to magic myself away when I remembered something. “Headmistress, while I’m here, can I give you something?” I took the green stone from my pocket.

  “Is this what I think it is?”

  “A dream-stone? Yes.”

  “Wherever did you get this?”

  “An alumnus of yours had it, but to be honest, it’s brought him nothing but trouble. He asked if I’d return it to CASS.”

  “I don’t really know what to do with it.”

  “I’m sure you’ll think of something. Anyway, I’d better get going.”

  ***

  Tempted as I was to return to Aunt Lucy’s, and another few hours of potions and spells charades, I opted to head straight home.

  Or at least, straight to the Corner Shop. I figured I would cash in my loyalty points to buy custard creams, chocolate and ginger beer, which I planned to enjoy while binge watching a TV boxset.

  It seemed that I would be in for a long wait because the queue was out of the door.

  “What’s going on?” I asked the woman in front of me.

  “I’ve no idea. I only came here to redeem my loyalty points.”

  “Me too.” The man in front of her joined the conversation. “So has everyone else, apparently.”

  “I only spent five pounds,” the woman said. “For that, I have five pounds in loyalty points.”

  “So do I.” The man nodded.

  I was beginning to think Jack was right. It looked as though Little Jack had yet another PR disaster on his hands. A few moments later, my suspicions were confirmed. Although I couldn’t see Little Jack, it appeared he was speaking through some kind of megaphone.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. Please accept my sincere apologies for this unfortunate mishap. It appears that the loyalty points earned yesterday were added at one hundred times their actual value. This has now been adjusted accordingly. Once again, my sincere apologies.”

  “One hundred times too much?” I tried but failed to do the maths. “What does that mean?” I asked the man standing close to me.

  “That your ten pounds of loyalty points are now worth only ten pence, love.”

  Great!

  Chapter 15

  It was Monday morning, and Jack had just nipped out to the Corner Shop.

  Sunday had been a lovely day. We’d do
ne nothing in particular, just chilled out and enjoyed one another’s company. It was nice that we’d both been able to put our work to one side, and to focus our attention on one another for a change. It was on days like that that I realised just how much I loved that guy and how much he loved me.

  “Where are you Jill?” It sounded like my darling hubby was back. “I’m going to kill you!”

  “What have I done now?”

  “Guess who I ran into on the way back?”

  “It wasn’t Don Nutt, was it? Has he been rubbing it in again about beating you at magnetic fishing?”

  “No, it wasn’t Don. I bumped into Britt and Kit.”

  “What did they say to get you so riled up?”

  “As if you don’t know.”

  “I don’t have a—oh wait, was it about the presentation?”

  “Why did you make yourself look like me when you collected the trophy?”

  “You should be flattered.”

  “Well, I’m not. They think I’m Robert Hymes now.”

  “It never occurred to me that Britt and Kit would be at the presentation.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me that you’d bumped into them?”

  “It totally slipped my mind. Anyway, it’s done now.”

  “Not for Britt it isn’t. She wants ‘Robert’ to do a reading at the poetry society she’s just joined.”

  I laughed, but immediately regretted it. “Sorry.”

  “You will be sorry because you’re the one who’s going to give the reading.”

  “But they’re expecting you?”

  “So? You’ll just have to do what you did at the presentation. You’ll have to make yourself look like me again.”

  “But, Jack—”

  “Britt is going to let me know where and when the reading will be held.”

  Oh bum!

  What did I say about loving that guy? Scrub that. He was so mean.

  I was on my way out of the house when my phone rang.

  “Kathy?”

  “Jill, are you busy?”

  “I was just setting off for work.”

  “Could you pop over on your way in?”

  “You aren’t on my way into work.”