The Winged Witch 1/15

Using the instant travel spell, Jennifer Jane took her parents together with Brian Taylor, back to the wishing clearing in the woods at the end of her garden. The editor continued to look apprehensive until they reached the gap in the hedge leading to the family’s garden, then he sighed in relief as he saw the familiar sight of brick built houses and decorative suburban gardening.

“I strongly advise you not to publish any mention of your experiences,” said Jennifer Jane. “Nobody will believe you anyway, but you must also realise that the people you’ve just met at the Witches’ Home really are witches and could do things to you that you wouldn’t even like to think about! Hold out your hand.”

Brian apprehensively did as he was asked, shaking slightly as he did so. The young girl standing in front of him was treating him in rather the same way as his schoolteachers had when he’d been naughty in class. He was half expecting to be caned across the palm of his hand. To his great relief she just waved her arms about for a second or two and a chocolate Swiss roll appeared on his outstretched palm.

“That and the fact that you’ve just travelled from a parallel world is real magic,” she said, “and don’t forget that I’m only an apprentice!”

Brian nodded with a frightened expression on his face and hurried off towards the road to begin the long walk back to his office in the village. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye.

“I suggest we all have a cup of tea and a nice long chat in the kitchen,” said Mary.

“At least now we all know the situation,” said Dave ten minutes later. “We seem to be right back where we were when we first saw Eve with her model dragon. Nobody knows where the teeth are coming from, nor indeed who is making the models!”

“I got the impression that Leah is going to be in trouble,” said Jennifer Jane. I don’t think the door through to the cart track leading to Lurbridge will be allowed to be used again.”

“Crumbs! Does that mean Eve won’t be able to get to the alternate world?” asked Mary.

“Well I’m not sure of course, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the witches let that one continue.”

“Won’t Leah just open that one instead?” asked Dave.

“No of course not, that one comes out several miles away in the hills just above Lurbridge, she can’t reach it from her world unless she goes there and I don’t suppose for a moment she knows where it is.”

Dave thought for a moment before agreeing with his daughter. “So what do we do next,” he said finally. “That committee wanted you to find out where the models were coming from.”

“Once the door is closed I don’t expect that salesman will be coming back to this village. But something that’s puzzled me about this whole business is why he would want to be paid in our money. It can’t be of any use to him in the alternate world, unless of course he buys things here like digital watches. They always sell well amongst the sailors. I think the next time I go into the village, I’ll go and ask the shopkeeper at the Smugglers Cave how he was asked to pay for the models.”