Fred moves in 1/4

The day that was to change the environment of Scotland started ordinarily enough. Breakfast was nearly over in Jennifer Jane's house. Dave had just started to clear the table, while Jennifer Jane and her Mother were finishing the last of the toast and marmalade. Then the doorbell rang.

"I'll go," said Dave, "it's a bit early for visitors and the postman's already been. I wonder who it can be?"

"Only one way to find out," said Mary through a mouthful of toast and marmalade.

Jennifer Jane heard her father open the front door and then a murmur of voices.

"It's your friend from the party," said Dave as he came back, "she want's to have a word with Jennifer Jane."
Abigail followed Dave into the room.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've forgotten your name," said Dave, "I only remember you as one of the witches at our party."

"You can call me Abigail"

"My name's Dave and this is my wife Mary and of course you know Jennifer Jane already. I suppose you've left your broomstick outside," he said with a laugh.

"I left it hovering just beside the house but it's well out of the way," grinned Abigail, "I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning," she continued "but something important has come up and I think Jennifer Jane can help me. Do you mind if I have a quiet word with her in the garden?"

Abigail started talking as soon as they were outside. "It seems there's an old Gate that everyone had forgotten and somehow a dragon from the other world has come through it and arrived in the woods at the end of your garden. I have to go back to the Witches' Home to collect a powerful spell which will close the Gate before anything else finds it's way through. A lot of the other witches are away at conferences and can't help. Then we remembered how good you are with dragons and wondered if you'd be able to persuade him to go back to his own home."

Abigail paused for breath.

"I'll try," said Jennifer Jane, "do you know exactly where he is and what his name might be?"

"I’m sorry, no I don’t. The giant saw a strange dragon land somewhere in the wood and told Barnacle Bill, who came and told us. I've been given my first travelling job as a journeywoman to go and close the Gate."

"I'll go and see what I can do," said Jennifer Jane, "does my protective spell work in this world?"

"I'm afraid not," Abigail replied "but I don't expect you'll need it now that all the other world dragons are eating coal. Now I really must be going, lots to do."

She put her fingers to her lips and whistled. Her broom appeared from the side of the house and hovered at just the right height by her side. Abigail climbed on and flew off over the trees at the end of the garden. Jennifer Jane waved until she was well out of sight, then went back to the house. Her Mother was staring out of the kitchen window with a most amazed look on her face.

"She couldn't," she was saying as Jennifer Jane walked in.

"Couldn't what?" asked Dave who was putting plates away in a cupboard.

"Abigail just got on a broomstick and flew out of the garden."

"Come on old girl, you're seeing things," said Dave putting his arm round his wife's shoulders. "Did you see her fly away?" he asked Jennifer Jane.

"Well she is a witch, you said so yourself," laughed Jennifer Jane and she went upstairs to change into her overalls and gumboots before going out into the wood.

"Shan’t be long," she said as she walked out of the kitchen door, leaving Dave comforting her Mother and trying to persuade her that she must have imagined everything.