by Holly Bell
Amanda took time to select a gingernut from the plate on the table before her. ‘Actually, no,’ she confessed. ‘But I found the appropriate spell about an hour ago.’
‘In one of those homicidal Cardiubarn grimoires, I take it?’ he supposed dryly, referring to her grandmother’s inherited and extremely shady collection of enchantments.
‘Yes,’ Amanda admitted.
‘And you’re sure it’ll work?’
‘Well … Granny and Grandpa seem reasonably confident that I can pull it off. As long as I survive to get him back in body and wake him up.’
Trelawney, regarding her with scepticism, enquired,
‘And Mr Sheppard has agreed to this, has he?’
‘Actually, no, not yet. I wanted to speak to you first,’ Amanda replied diffidently, mindful of Grandpa’s advice.
Thomas was not deceived. In his experience, it was when Miss Cadabra was at her meekest that she was most likely to go off and do precisely what she pleased.
‘All right, say I agree to this escapade. What makes you think Jonathan Sheppard, who isn’t exactly the sort to throw himself into the heat of battle, will agree?’
Amanda was now on solid ground.
‘Because it’s to save Mrs Pagely. He’d do anything for her. She’s like a mother to him.’
Her evident faith carried some weight with Trelawney.
‘Hm. So you’re as confident as Mr and Mrs Cadabra that you can effectively perform this spell you’re intending to use on Mr Sheppard?’
‘Pretty much. Well, you know what it’s like the first time you try something like that.’
‘I can’t say I do. This is an awfully long shot, Miss Cadabra. It sounds risky in the extreme to both you and Mr Sheppard. The time would be much better spent surely —’
‘Please. No. Look. You don’t need to be there. You could be off interviewing or something,’ Amanda entreated.
‘Yes. I do need to be there. Look what happened the last time I wasn’t on hand. You nearly di—’
‘Then be there, by all means, Inspector. But I don’t know how the Oracle might respond to an uninvited guest when she’ll probably barely tolerate me.’
Trelawney responded readily. ‘I’ll be your attendant.’
‘Hm. Yes … that should be fine,’ Amanda conceded.
‘Very well. We’re on,’ pronounced the inspector decisively. ‘How do we proceed with this?’
‘I think we have to be in character of some sort. Some kind of old-to-ancient-looking costume. Anything up to 1200 probably. Although you could be wearing livery of some sort.’
‘Trousers, shirt and open waistcoat, cloak of some sort?’ he suggested.
‘Yes, why not? I’ll bring some gear. I’m sure Granny will have some ideas for dressing me up. I can change at the library.’
‘Good. When is this caper on for?’ Trelawney asked wryly.
‘An hour and a half? I need time to find the costume and prepare Jonathan.’
‘Is that going to be long enough?’
‘Yes, an hour and a half, should do it.’
Trelawney was assailed by a last-minute doubt. There were an awful lot of ifs involved in this escapade. It might work if Sheppard was willing to participate, if the spell worked, if the Oracle didn’t exterminate Amanda on sight, if the woman would agree to help.
‘Look, Miss Cadabra. Are you sure you want to do this? There must be another way. It’ll be all right —’
‘It won’t, Inspector,’ Amanda replied passionately. ‘If Mrs Pagely is arrested it won’t be all right. I can’t let this happen to her. She’s Village, and that makes her one of mine. That’s what it means to be a witch.’
‘I know you feel responsible, but these people don’t even know you’re their wi—’
‘That isn’t the point, Inspector. The point is that I know.’
She was looking into his eyes with so much sincerity, he knew that Miss Cadabra was utterly committed to this course of action.
He nodded.
‘Very well. Promise me you’ll be careful and get yourself out of there at the first hint of open animosity or danger of any kind.’
‘I promise.’
‘Well … You know, it’s not like you can bring back evidence admissible in court. “Your honour, we have the testimony of a ten-thousand-year-old community counsellor who unfortunately cannot be with us today but has provided a statement written in ... whatever they were speaking back in 8000 BC!”’
This evoked a slight smile from Amanda, as he had intended. ‘I’ll get us a lead to evidence that will be admissible in court,’ she promised, throwing caution to the wind. ‘Please? We have nothing to lose.’
She had won him over, and he was well aware of it.
‘All right, Miss Cadabra. I shall grant you access to the crime scene and aid you in any way that I can.’
‘Thank you, Inspector.’
Chapter 32
Wardrobe Mistresses
Trelawney departed soon after, and Amanda dialled a contact on her phone. She was in luck.
‘Jonathan? …Yes. I’m coming to the library in about 20 minutes. I need your help. We’re going to save Mrs Pagely.’
The eager response was all she had hoped for. With her key person onside, at least provisionally, Amanda hung up and called,
‘Granny, Grandpa!’
Senara and Perran were already standing behind her.
‘Yes, dear,’ said Granny serenely, ‘you shall need a costume. Go up into the attic and look in the larger tan suitcase. Amanda! Don’t try to run up the stairs. There’s time enough. An asthma attack will aid the situation not at all.’
‘Yes, Granny,’ agreed Amanda, abandoning her ambitious progress.
‘I’d better come with you.’
Under the eaves, in the well-lit space, Senara pointed out the desired luggage, under two smaller cases. Mindful that she must conserve her energy for who knew what she might be called upon to do in the depths below, Amanda wisely took out her Pocket-wand.
‘Aereval, sessiblinn … rihthdhou ... sedaasig.’ The luggage floated up, glided to the right, and gently lowered itself to the floorboards.
Now on her knees before the tan case, Amanda opened the one Granny had pointed out.
‘Two layers-of-clothing down,’ instructed Senara. Her granddaughter searched. ‘Yes, that’s the one you want.’
‘This?’ asked Amanda, drawing out and holding up an evening gown of copper satin. She could not resist stroking the smooth silk of the luxurious fabric.
‘Yes.’
‘But, Granny, this is far too elegant. I can’t guarantee I can bring it back in one piece.’
‘It’s all in a good cause. Look on the bottom layer, and you’ll find a coat. Use magic, dear.’
Amanda poked her wand in between the coat and clothes above it, which she instructed them, ‘Aereval.’ Compliantly, the pile rose and she accessed the garment below. She stood up to shake out a floor-length black coat with lapels of fur.
‘It’s beautiful, Granny. You must have looked stunning.’
‘It’s an opera coat.’
Amanda looked at it uncertainly.
‘But I’m sure they didn’t have anything like this thousands of years ago, or even the eleventh century, I would have thought.’
‘Good. It means you’ll have things the Oracle doesn’t. It’ll give you status. Even if it’s just enough to stop her smiting you within the first three minutes.’
‘Thank you, Granny,’ replied Amanda, a touch acerbically. ‘That’s a great comfort.’
‘Come downstairs into my bedroom and try it on.’
Amanda turned her head towards the luggage to tidy up.
‘Sedaasig.’ The hovering stack of clothing sank back down into place. ‘Bespredna.’ The case shut. She’d put the others back later.
‘Have you put the clothes back and closed the case?’ Senara called up
the stairs that Amanda was now descending.
‘Yes, Granny.’
‘Good. You never know when you’ll need something else from in there.’
‘Never again, I hope!’ protested Amanda.
‘Well, you never know, dear. Now let’s see you in the gown.’
Soon her grandmother was regarding the effect of the dress.
‘It’s much too long,’ Senara observed. ‘Take one of your Grandpa’s ties. Yes, from the cupboard there. That’s right; tie it around your waist. Good. Now pull the bodice over the top until the length is right.’
Amanda did as she was bid, while Grandpa called from the landing to ask if she was decent.
‘Yes, dear!’ replied Senara. ‘Now, Ammee, take one of my sashes. Excellent. Yes, over the top of the tie. Yes. Black isn’t ideal, but it will do, and it will match the coat.’
‘Should I do up the coat?’ Amanda asked, shrugging into it.
‘No. Leave it open.’
‘It’s dragging on the floor,’ observed Amanda, look down and behind her.
‘Like a train,’ replied Granny approvingly. ‘Makes you look regal.’
Amanda looked at her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. ‘Well, thank you, Granny. This is better than I imagined.’
‘Not at all, dear, but you’re not finished yet. You need jewellery.’
A search-and-locate exercise soon furnished Amanda with bangles, a heavy necklace and a tiara. She grimaced into the mirror.
‘Good grief, Granny, I feel like I’m going to do cabaret!’
Perran chuckled at that.
‘Well, you’re playing a part, bian. A very important part. Mrs Pagely is depending upon it.’
‘By the way,’ added Senara, ‘you are quite right to insist that she is not to be subjected to the indignities of arrest and detention. I was impressed by the stand you took, Amanda, dear. I think the inspector was taken by surprise. Yes, and surprised into saying, yes. In the end, that was what carried your argument, you know.’
‘But now,’ said Perran, ‘you’d better get to the stacks before he changes his mind!’
‘First, Amanda needs footwear, dear. Chalet slippers: bottom drawer. They have the sort of boot-like appearance that should fit the time range.’
‘Thank you, Granny. I’ll take it all off now and then change at the library.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Want us to come along, bian?’ offered Perran.
‘I’ll be fine, thank you, Grandpa,’ answered Amanda, thinking it would be a lot less distracting without their running commentary.
‘Good. I don’t think we’d be welcome somehow. And besides, it’ll be tea-time soon.’
Alone and back on their own plane of existence, Perran, pouring milk into his tea, turned to his wife.
‘What do you think? Will a wand and Tempest be enough? Here’s the butter,’ he added, seeing her looking for it.
‘Ah. Thank you. Hopefully the Oracle will know power when she sees it. I noticed, my dear, that you didn’t give our Amanda any reassurances that she’d come out of there alive. More toast?’
‘In a situation like this, love, there are no certainties. She’s a dangerous … whatever-she-is. Yes, please.’
‘Still,’ Senara concluded briskly, handing her husband the plate of golden-brown slices, ‘there’s nothing we can do. She’ll either join us here or she won’t. We tried fretting the last time there was a crisis and much good it did us. We’ll just have to hope that it all turns out as Ammee would wish. There’s always a chance. As long as it doesn’t become a head-to-head. As long as Ammee doesn’t upset her … Yes, well… This greengage jam is splendid.’
Perran smiled at her. ‘You’re right. Let’s hope for the best. So is the gooseberry.’
‘More tea?’
***
With an hour and a half to pass, Trelawney returned to his mother’s house and quickly gathered what he needed. This consisted of trousers, shirt and waistcoat that he was willing to sacrifice to any possible wear and tear they might suffer on the mission.
There was time remaining for a quick consultation. Thomas made a call and travelled the short distance north of Crouch End to Muswell Hill.
‘No time for tea, I’m afraid.’
‘I quite understand,’ smiled Amelia, shepherding him into her comfortable sitting-room.
‘You know what Amanda intends to do?’ Thomas asked her. She sailed in behind him, wafting a vintage long, dark peach velvet dress that set off her chestnut bob.
‘I had a hint from the crystal, before you came.’ Amelia nodded to the large globe on the table, whose intricate silver and gold depths she had glass-blown some years before. ‘I thought something was up.’
Briefly, Thomas explained the plan.
‘Any advice?’
‘Are you happy for me to play wardrobe mistress?’
‘Yes, Aunt. I’d very much appreciate it.’
‘Follow me then.’ Once in her bedroom, Amelia sat at her dressing-table and rooted in the second drawer down, with occasional mutterings of, ‘I know I have them somewhere …. Ah! Here.’ She went to Thomas and showed him three thumb-rings, the only ornaments for her slender fingers that might to fit him.
‘Really, Aunt? This is not my style.’
‘Yes, I know, dear,’ replied Amelia, patting his cheek and putting the jewellery on his hand. ‘You only sport the occasional ring or tiepin. But this is business, is it not, Thomas?’
‘True. I am going undercover.’
Amelia was now quickly parting the long garments in her floor-to-ceiling wardrobe.
‘Yes, this will do very nicely.’
She whirled out an ankle-length, indigo cloak and threw it around his shoulders.
Trelawney, catching sight of himself in her long pier glass, exclaimed,
‘Good grief!’
‘The rich have long dressed their servants opulently to indicate their own status. In other words, you’re making Amanda look good.’
That weighed with Thomas, as Amelia knew that it would. Sure enough, he replied,
‘Understood.’
They returned to the sitting-room and sat at the round lace-covered table where the crystal ball sat on its delicate silver stand.
‘Now, Thomas. Demeanour. Once inside the hall, you stand at the back, head up, but not looking at the Oracle. You stand proudly, dignified, and you say nothing. Whatever happens, you do not take part in the discussion. Your job is to get Amanda safely out of there, when it’s all over.’
‘Safely? There will be danger?’
‘Possibly. I have looked but …’ Amelia peered into the glass globe. ‘Hmm, hard to see. The glass is clouded. But hopefully, it will just be a matter of getting her back up the stairs. And Jonathan Sheppard too, of course.’
‘How can I ensure his security? I can hardly grab him and haul him out of there. After all, won’t he be see-through and ghost-like?’
‘Probably not. He could be as solid as Senara and Perran.’
Trelawney moved uncomfortably in his chair.
‘I’ve never actually touched either of them.’
Amelia laughed.
‘Oh, but you could, Thomas. And I promise they won’t feel all slimy like ectoplasm.’
He grinned.
‘Maybe one day. So, will I be able to make physical contact with, say, Jonathan’s arm?’
‘Possibly. These are extraordinary conditions, Thomas. It is hard to say. Anything else?’
‘What language is the Oracle going to use. Any ideas?’
‘Let me look … hmm …’ Strange symbols appeared and floated within the crystal, but Amelia understood their meaning. ‘Possibly … very early British or Cornish.’
‘Will Miss Cadabra be able to understand that?’
‘Oh, if I’m not mistaken, the Oracle will make sure Amanda can understand just enough, while putting her in her place by making it
difficult.’
‘Ok. Thank you, Aunt. That’s all. I’d best get going,’ said Trelawney standing up and putting on his coat
Amelia packed the cloak into a tote bag, then rose and took his hands,
‘I’ll be watching as much as I can. Take care, Thomas. Take care of Amanda.’
He nodded and replied solemnly,
‘Always.’
Chapter 33
Beginners, Places Please
‘You see, Jonathan,’ Amanda began. The two of them sat in the loaned relative seclusion of the Situation Room, in a corner of the library. ‘The police wouldn’t be able to accept as a resolution to the case that a priestess from the past shook the ground and made a shelf fall, which killed Samantha.’
‘No, I do see that,’ agreed Jonathan reasonably.
‘And the inspector hasn’t made any progress by other means to find the murderer. Because this is a high-level case, Samantha’s parents and their connections right at the top are pressing for an arrest. Now.’ Amanda turned her head meaningfully in the direction of the library counter.
Jonathan looked anxious.
‘Not …?
‘Yes. You and I have an alibi, but Mrs Pagely doesn’t and she is the only other person, apart from us two, who definitely had access to the key to the stacks. It means she had opportunity.’
‘But the shelves … so heavy.’
‘She isn’t frail or weak, though, is she?’
‘But why, Amanda? Why on earth would Mrs Pagely harm Miss Gibbs?’
‘I really can’t imagine, but she is the most likely suspect available.’
Jonathan sat silent, with wide liquid brown eyes staring at the blue carpet. Amanda wisely waited. Suddenly he looked up at her.
‘We have to do something.’
‘Yes, we do,’ she agreed
‘What though?’
Now for it. She was banking heavily on his acceptance to some degree of the fringes of the paranormal. After all, he had told her about a dream. And he had felt that it was significant. Amanda took a breath and spoke gently,