“But you stuck it out. That says a lot about your character. Have things improved since then?”
“Yes, it’s much better. I’m up to speed now. In fact, I’m a better witch than some of those who have been practising magic all their lives.”
“Well done, you.”
“Are you teaching Florence any spells?”
“So far, I’ve only taught her three. I’d planned to wait until she was older before teaching her anymore.”
“No! You mustn’t do that! Sorry for shouting, but that’s not fair on Florence. She’s a witch, and she should be practising magic. Will Florence join CASS when she’s old enough, if she gets an invitation?”
“I’m not sure. I’m going to have to give that some serious thought.” I signed the last of the photographs and pushed them across the desk.
“Thanks for doing that, Jill.”
“No problem. Thank you for talking to me. It’s been very helpful. Very helpful indeed.”
***
I was desperate for a coffee and a blueberry muffin.
What? Signing photographs is really hard work, especially when there are thousands of them.
I magicked myself back to the human world and headed straight for Coffee Animal. Although the revamped shop had been open for a few weeks, the sign on the door said that today marked the first day of the ‘full’ launch.
Whatever they had planned for Coffee Animal, it couldn’t be any worse than Coffee Triangle with its awful cacophony of percussion instruments. Coffee Games had been a slight improvement, but that too had been tedious at times, particularly on days such as Simon Says or Blind Man’s Buff.
“Welcome to Coffee Animal’s launch day.” The young woman behind the counter had a pink bow in her hair and a beauty spot on her left cheek. “My name is Dot.”
“Hi, Dot. I’m Jill.”
“Is this your first visit?”
“Actually, no. In fact, I was here on the day of the siege.”
“Oh dear. How terrible for you. I hope you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, thanks, but I have to admit I’m still a little confused by the choice of name. Coffee Animal? What does that mean, exactly?”
“Have you heard of cat cafes?”
“Yes, I’ve actually been in a couple.”
“Coffee Animal takes that concept one step further. Instead of having cats in the shop all the time, we’ll be having a different animal each day.” She reached under the counter and brought out a tiny cage. “This is today’s animal.”
“A hamster?”
“A lot of people make that mistake. It’s actually a gerbil.”
“Err, right, thanks.”
“What can I get for you to drink?”
“A caramel latte please, and do you have any blueberry muffins?”
“You’re in luck. We only have one left.”
It was a bit of a struggle, carrying the coffee, the muffin, and the cage containing the gerbil, but I managed to find a table next to the window. I didn’t think it would be hygienic to put the cage on the table, so I placed it on the seat next to me.
I’d just taken a bite of the muffin when a little voice said, “Hey, can I have some of that?” Sometimes the ability to talk to animals was a curse. “I’ve been stuck in this cage all day and no one’s thought to give me any food.”
“I’m not sure that muffins are suitable for gerbils.”
“Of course they are. I love them, particularly blueberry ones. Go on, please.”
“Okay, then.”
“Make sure it has a blueberry in it.”
I broke off a piece of muffin and passed it through the bars.
“Is that all I get?”
“Sheesh, some people are never satisfied.” I gave him another piece.
“Thanks. My name is Jimbob, by the way. What’s yours?”
“I’m Jill.” I suddenly became aware of a middle-aged couple who’d stopped by the side of my table and were giving me a very puzzled look.
“Hi,” I flashed them my nothing to see here smile.
“Did you just tell that gerbil your name?” the man said.
“Yes, it’s only polite to introduce yourself, don’t you think?”
The woman took the man by the arm and led him away. As she did, I could hear her muttering something about a crazy woman.
***
When I got home, Jack was alone in the house because Florence was over at Wendy’s house.
“How did you get on at CASS?” Jack said. “Did you get to talk to Maxine?”
“Yes, she seems very nice. After listening to what she had to say, I’m glad that Florence does know she’s a witch. Poor old Maxine only found out just before starting at a new school. That made everything twice as difficult for her.”
“Is she okay now?”
“Yeah, she seems to be, but she had a really hard time at first. All the other kids had been practising magic for years, and she had to start from scratch. Kids being kids, some of them made her life a misery for a while. I don’t want that for Florence.”
“What do you suggest we do, then?”
“I think we should allow her to learn more spells now. Then, if she does get an invitation from CASS, she—”
“You know how I feel about that, Jill.”
“I know, and we don’t have to make a decision about CASS right now, but we do have to allow Florence to be a witch. To learn and practise magic. And she has to start spending time in the paranormal world.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Just like that?”
“Yes. You’re the witch in this family. I have to trust your instincts on this, but I do have one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You
