‘Or me,’ piped up Hogarth, with a cheerful wave of his glass.
Amanda looked across at Thomas. He felt precipitated into speech.
‘Of course, you’ll have lots of questions. Please ask anything you want. There’ll be a proper contract, all drawn up and agreed. Two versions: one of which makes no mention of magic, naturally. You could ask Mike here to go over them with you before you signed.’
There was a pause in which Amanda counselled herself to allow time for consideration and to talk to Grandpa, in particular. Finally, with the three men looking at her expectantly, she spoke calmly.
‘Thank you for asking me, Inspector. May I think about it?’
***
After saying their goodbyes, Trelawney let Amanda go on ahead to the car. He turned back to his father at the door.
‘Did Mike tell you what this new post will do to me professionally?’
Kyt put a hand on Thomas’s shoulder.
‘Yes, son. And it may finish your career, but I think it will be the making of you.’
Chapter 56
The Ball
The following morning, while Trelawney waited in the car, Amanda called in to Mr Keast. She confirmed the Cardiubarn Hall plans, gave him the photos on her phone for the valuers and promised to return soon.
The inspector was careful not to press her on the matter of the job offer, and they passed the journey back to London discussing the Hall, the comically timed flight of Messrs Mortlake and Dowr, taste in car trip radio stations, and the ball, now just three days away.
In the afternoon, Thomas returned to Cornwall to run along his favourite stretch of beach and think.
At about the same time, Amanda was in lengthy colloquy with Perran.
‘I know what Granny would say, Grandpa. Of course, she’d say “yes, do it”. She’s been enjoying herself playing cat-and-mouse with the inspector since the moment he first rang our doorbell!’
‘Well, you’re right there, bian. But it does seem to have more pros than cons, this job.’
‘But it’s a big con. Up until now, I’ve had complete autonomy.’
‘And in magical matters, you’d still call the shots, as they say. Didn’t the inspector say so?’
Amanda sighed. ‘I suppose so … but what about my work, the furniture restoration?’
‘I think you’ll find the two dovetail just fine.’
‘Hm.’
‘Ammee, don’t turn it down because you want to do it. Maybe your wanting to do it is the right instinct.’
Granny appeared. Amanda thought she might as well ask her opinion.
‘Why not?’ was Senara's response.
‘Well … up till now I’ve had autonomy.’
‘Ha, you’ll always have that. You’re a Cardiubarn. It comes with the territory.’
‘I’m also a Cadabra,’ Amanda pointed out.
‘Yes, and if you want to send furniture flying around the room, no Flamgoyne is going to be able to stop you.’
‘I wish you wouldn’t call him that. He’s a Trelawney.’
‘Well … I don’t know anything about th—hold on— is that “Trelawney” with an E.Y?’
‘Yes. Why?’
‘Trelawneys … hm … I’d completely forgotten. Can’t they call up m—?’
‘Well, I’m sure we don’t need to go into all that, my love,’ interrupted Perran. ‘The point is that whatever is surfacing in the village is not going to go away, and the Oracle did say our Ammee has to solve the riddle or something of Sunken Madley. She needs help, and she can’t deal with police matters.’ He turned to Amanda. ‘There’s no denying that, in spite of everything, you and the inspector are friends, bian, and you work a treat together.’
‘And above all,’ added Senara, ‘we think you’ll have fun.’
‘Really, Granny, life isn’t all about having fun,’ her granddaughter replied severely.
‘Yes it is. That’s exactly what it’s about. I wish I’d realised that when I was on your plane of existence, my dear. And now I know it’s true, I don’t waste a minute, I promise you. And neither should you.’
‘What your Granny is saying, bian, is that we think this is going to be your next big adventure, your next bi—’
Ding, dong!
‘I’ll see you later, love. That’s your fairy godmother, if I’m not mistaken.’ With a wink and smile, he was gone, and Amanda went to the door.
‘Claire!’
‘Hello, darling.’ They hugged enthusiastically.
‘Come in.’
‘Tell me how your Cornwall trip went,’ invited Claire as they sat down. ‘Did you have all of the male members of impoverished aristocracy making bids for the hand of the new Cardiubarn heiress?’
Amanda laughed. ‘Hardly. It’s a mouldering ruin. Give it another fifty years, and it’ll do everyone a favour and fall down of its own accord, I shouldn’t wonder. Musty dustiness and paperwork. But I shall have to go back soon for more. What are you hiding behind your back?’
Claire brought out a large white box tied with string.
‘Da-daaah. For you. Open it.’
‘Thank you! It’s very kind of you.’ Amanda undid the bow and began easing off the lid. ‘I do hope it’s not something extrava— … Oh! It’s like Belle’s dress from Beauty and the Beast. The one Emma Watson wears. Oh, Claire, it’s lovely but —’
‘No buts. You must have a dress.’
‘I have plenty of dresses,’ protested Amanda laughingly.
‘No, you don’t. Not one for the Spring Equinox Ball. It’s not orange, note.’
‘Why not?’
‘Orange is for autumn. This is yellow for spring,’ stated Claire, who knew about these things.
‘You sure?’
‘Perfectly. I Googled and scrolled and scrolled and clicked, and suddenly I had it! Someone had the costume department run one up for a publicity party. I had to have it shortened, or it would have got under your partner's feet. It was rather a shame to lose that handsome border but needs must, and it made it simpler, which I knew would please you.’
‘It’s so generous but … I don’t want to turn up looking like a character from a fairy tale, Claire.’
‘My darling, you are a fairy tale. All alone with just your cat in an old cottage at the edge of a village. And you shall go the ball and have your happy ending,’ Claire insisted with a twinkle.
‘But I am happy,’ protested Amanda.
‘Mouldering
