“No arguments from me there.”
“Now that’s settled, and we have the house to ourselves, what do you fancy for dinner?”
“Come upstairs and I’ll show you.”
***
Jack and I were on our way to Donna’s house to collect Florence.
“I’m starving,” Jack said. “Can we pick up something to eat on the way back?”
“You’ve just had ‘dinner’.” I grinned.
“Yes, and very nice it was too. That’s one of the reasons I’m so hungry.”
There was no answer at Donna’s, but there was definitely someone in because we could hear raised voices coming from the other side of the door.
“I hope that isn’t Wendy and Florence falling out,” Jack said.
“That’s not Florence’s voice.” I knocked again.
This time, Donna opened the door. Standing behind her was a young girl, aged about ten or eleven, who was clearly unhappy about something. “But, Mum, it isn’t fair!”
“I’m sorry about this,” Donna said. “Do come in.”
“Mum, please!”
“Rachel, I’m not going to tell you again. Go up to your bedroom or there’ll be no pocket money for the rest of the month.”
“It’s not fair! Everyone else has got at least three.”
“Your room! Now!”
The girl shot upstairs, in floods of tears.
“I’m so sorry you had to witness that. That’s Rachel, Wendy’s older sister. I sometimes think Wendy can be a handful, but compared to Rachel, she’s a little angel. That outburst was all because I refused to buy her another charm for that stupid bracelet of hers.”
“My niece has just had one of those.”
“All the girls in Rachel’s class have got them; it’s the latest craze. The bracelets are quite cheap. It’s the charms that they sting you on; they’re incredibly expensive. That tantrum was all because I’d just told her she can’t have another one until next month. She thinks we’re made of money. Anyway, enough of my problems.”
“Has Florence been okay?” I asked.
“Yes, she and Wendy have played together really nicely. I’ll just nip upstairs and get her for you.”
Moments later, Florence came charging down the stairs, followed by Wendy and then Donna.
“Look, Mummy,” Florence held out her hands. “Wendy made me two bracelets. Aren’t they pretty?”
“They’re beautiful. You’re very clever, Wendy.”
“Mummy bought me the bead kit for my birthday.” She beamed. “I could make one for you too if you like.”
“Maybe another day, Wendy,” Donna said. “Florence and her mummy and daddy have to go home now.”
“Say thank you to Wendy and her mum for letting you come over,” I said to Florence.
“Thank you. I’ve had a lovely time.”
“It was our pleasure.”
Jack took Florence by the hand and led her out of the door. I was just about to follow when Donna said, “Jill, I’m so pleased that Wendy has found such a good friend in Florence. I do hope you’ll let her come over again soon.”
“Of course, and Wendy must come to our place too.”
Chapter 19
The next morning, Jack and I were at the kitchen table, eating breakfast. Florence had already finished her cornflakes and was out in the garden. She was throwing the ball for Buddy who was half asleep and less than enthusiastic about the early morning exercise.
“When are you planning to tell Florence what we decided last night?” Jack said. “About her learning more spells?”
“I think that’s something we should talk to her about together.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, she has to know this is something we’re both signed up to.”
“I hate that there’s a large part of her life that I can play no part in.”
“I know it’s hard for you, but trust me, it’s just as hard for me being out at work every day while you’re here with Florence.”
“I know. When shall we have the conversation?”
“I thought we could do it tonight.”
“I don’t think that’s going to work. We’ve got the amdram play. Had you forgotten?”
“No, of course not.” Although, I’d tried very hard to. “Can’t we just cancel?”
“No, we can’t. We’ve promised Kathy and Peter we’ll be there.”
“Did you remember to contact the babysitter?”
“Yes. Sarah will be here in plenty of time.”
“In that case, why don’t we talk to Florence now? I don’t have to rush out to work this morning.”
“Okay, I’ll call her in.” Jack went over to the door. “Florence! Mummy and Daddy would like to talk to you.”
She came running into the house. “Is it time for school?”
“Not yet. Why don’t you come and sit at the table with us?” I patted the seat next to mine. “We want to talk to you about magic.”
“I’ve been practising my three spells, Mummy. I’m very good at them now.”
“I know you are. You’re doing really well. That’s why we’ve decided that you can learn some more.”
“When?”
“We’ll start next week.”
“Will Great Grandma be teaching me?”
“No, she won’t!” Jack snapped, causing Florence to flinch. “Sorry, pumpkin, Daddy didn’t mean to shout. Mummy will be teaching you.”
“What spells will I learn?”
“We’ll have to have a think about that,” I said. “I’ll look through the spell book over the weekend and pick out those that I think will be most suitable.”
“I wish I could tell my friends that I can do magic.” She sighed. “They would like it.”
“You can’t do that, darling. We’ve talked about this before. It’s very important that you never tell anyone. Do you promise?”
“I promise.”
“There’s something else too, Florence. You know Great Grandma, Aunt Lucy and the twins live a long way away, don’t you?”
“That’s why we can’t go to their house, isn’t it?”
“Something you don’t know is that Aunt Lucy and the twins are witches. Just like you, me and Great Grandma.
