‘So,’ Trelawney responded slowly, ‘Elodie picked up a loaded gun, and the gun went off in her hand?’
‘Yes, with only her desire to stop Dowrkampyer. Without that wand, or with it before it was charged, she could never have done much damage. She’d never used a wand, had no training at all, as a witch. She would have stunned him for a moment, made him dizzy maybe. She could never have killed him. You see?’
‘Lucy is innocent,’ said Trelawney, in amazement. ‘Elodie is innocent.’
Hogarth almost collapsed back in his chair as though exhausted from a long struggle.
‘I knew it. I knew it. I knew Elodie had to be innocent. I just had no evidence.’
‘Until now,’ said Trelawney, smiling.
Amanda got up, still unsteady from the smoke and asthma. She reached Hogarth’s chair and sank down by it.
‘And you were right, Uncle Mike.’ He leaned forward and hugged her. She felt something wet on her face.
Thomas tactfully withdrew to the kitchen to put the oven on to heat up dinner, and set about making tea for himself and Hogarth. Soon they were sipping away and thereafter tucking into dinner.
Over pudding, Amanda and Trelawney went over the evening’s events again.
‘There’s something I don’t understand,’ said Thomas. ‘I get the loaded gun analogy, but it didn’t fire a bullet; it fired a death ray.’
‘There is one explanation. Granny told me about this but she said she’d never seen it done. It’s something called a stacked spell. It’s something that no witch would want to do. For example, say I wanted to freeze a puddle of water and turn it purple. Well you would do that with two separate spells: one to freeze, one to change the colour. After all, both spells would be coming from the same witch with the same —what can I say? — intent ... feeling, attitude. In simple terms, for good or for bad.’
‘You’re saying that Elodie’s intention to stop Dowrkampyer, stacked on top of Agacine’s intention to kill him?’
‘Yes, that’s my theory,’ replied Amanda. ‘And the juxtaposition of good and malicious intent acted like a ....’
‘Matter and anti-matter?’ suggested Thomas.
‘Well … why not?’
‘Hm,’ said Hogarth.
‘Do you know something about this, Uncle Mike?’
‘Let’s just say that this could shed light on at least one similar instance.’
Amanda looked at him hopefully. ‘But so far does my theory fit?’
‘So far, yes. I suggest you ask your grandmother. Although,’ added Hogarth with amusement, ‘I have a feeling that if we were wrong she’d be here telling us just that, in her uniquely charming manner. The point is, Elodie picked up a charged wand with a hair trigger.’
‘Agreed,’ said Trelawney. ‘She was not responsible for Dowrkampyer’s death.’
Over tea, Hogarth was busy sending a long text.
Soon the bing! of a returned text came. Hogarth excused himself and went to the kitchen. They heard his voice, low at first then rising with joy and excitement, even through the thickness of the kitchen door.
‘You see? It really was an accident .... No, you’re not a killer.’ Laughter followed ‘No. Sorry to disappoint you. There goes your glamour, my dear. Oh, how dull. I shall just have to find myself another bride ... as if I would.’ His voice fell low again.
Trelawney and Amanda exchanged happy if somewhat embarrassed smiles. Presently Hogarth returned, beaming. Amanda asked tentatively,
‘Now we know Elodie is innocent and, of course, the Cardiubarns and the Flamgoynes are gone, can Lucy come home now?’
‘All in good time. First: Amanda, will you be, at least, somewhat recovered by tomorrow morning?’
‘Yes, I’m sure.’
‘Then I want you both here as early as possible. There’s work to be done!’
Chapter 46
Homecoming
Trelawney and Amanda arrived just after 8 o'clock on the following morning. Hogarth, full of the joys of spring and raring to go, made them all a fry-up for breakfast in the kitchen, and then they set to work.
‘Amanda, you’re on light duties: would you mind taking your nice little wand into the dining-room and putting the furniture back?’
‘Sure,’ she replied brightly.
‘Thomas, to the garden if you please. All of the sacks need to be taken to the recycling centre. Use my car.’
In due course, Hogarth joined Amanda, to see her dealing with the last item. It was a large, walnut, glass-fronted cabinet containing all of Mike’s most treasured books, or as he put it: ‘The things that I hardly ever read but look pretty.’
Amanda had left it until last because it was the heaviest and most delicate. Pocket-wand in her right hand and her left outstretched, she was almost caressing it into movement.
‘Aereval ... adheinde ynentel ... gestilfth.’ The cabinet rose, moved back gently and stopped. Amanda walked to where she could better see the wall. ‘Adheinde ynentel ... gestilfth.’ It backed up a little more until it was almost flush with the skirting board. ‘Sedaasig.’ It lowered itself down onto the carpet. ‘Phew!’
‘Nicely done,’ applauded Mike. ‘Going to show Thomas your moves any time soon? Remember? Partners, trust.’
‘Yes, Uncle Mike. When we get back to Sunken Madley.’ He gave her a knowing look. Amanda laughed. ‘I promise!’
‘All right. Come on upstairs: soft furnishings to see to.’ Mike had put up new bedroom curtains.
‘What do you think?’
‘Good match to the room. But er ... bit creased?’
‘Er ....’
‘Want me to fix that?’ she offered mischievously.
‘Can you?’ he asked.
Amanda approached the drapes and, raising her wand, uttered,
‘Fulgwas.’ As she lowered her hand, the creases disappeared from top to bottom.
‘Wonderful,’ pronounced Mike, admiringly.
‘I know all of the housework
