A flight too far 6/6

Abigail took the time to go and collect her Sunday best cloak and pointed hat.

"You never know when you may need to impress strangers," she grinned, when Mary protested at the delay.

The two brooms took off and hurtled towards Jennifer Jane's last known position. Even flying direct at high speed it took an hour and a half to reach the village near the south coast of the alternate world. There was no mistaking the place when they finally arrived. Crowds had gathered round some fallen posts and were obviously having an argument amongst themselves. Everyone scattered as the brooms zoomed low over the heads of the crowd and then two very impressive figures approached and demanded to know what had happened to their apprentice.

One of the villagers introduced himself as the landlord of 'The Plough' and did his best to explain what had happened.

Abigail went over to the fallen posts and made some sweeping gestures. "DEK ROOMA," she intoned in her most impressive voice. A terrific bang and a cloud of thick white smoke hid the fact that she was twiddling her fingers in what Mary at least, now recognised as being a very complicated sign indeed. When the smoke cleared, the posts had been magically re-erected and now formed a door to another world.

"I told you we'd have to impress the peasants," she said.

Mary rushed through the door closely followed by Abigail and Dave. Rebecca stayed where she was and glared at the villagers in her most threatening manner. None of them dared even twitch.

"She had the sense to mark the post positions this time," said Abigail, "otherwise we could really have been in trouble. At least she's learning from her past mistakes."

Mary rushed across the ground as fast as she could and climbed a small hill so that she could have a good look round. Abigail and Dave got back on the broom and arrived on top of the mound at the same time.

"Just calm down a bit," said Abigail, "get on behind me and we’ll go up really high and see what we can see."

A few seconds later they spotted a small town in the distance and flew over to see if anyone had seen the missing apprentice.

An amazing scene met their eyes as they came in to land. Some very important looking people were talking to Jennifer Jane and a young troll. The rest of the population seemed to be making preparations for a celebration. Bunting was being strung up from any available post, people were setting up tables in the street, while a brass band was assembling and starting to tune their instruments.

Nobody took much notice as Abigail and Mary pushed their way though the crowd towards Jennifer Jane. Mary didn't need to ask if she was alright, it was all too obvious that she was having the time of her life.

Jennifer Jane suddenly spotted them coming through the crowd. She waved enthusiastically and spoke to the person who seemed to be the most important. He was wearing an extremely elaborate seal of office, hung on a gold chain round his neck.

"Mr.Lord Mayor, please allow me to introduce my Mother and my witch tutor Abigail."

"Very pleased to meet you all," replied the Mayor, "you have a very clever daughter Ma'am, she's solved one of our most serious problems in about an hour and the whole town's going to have a terrific party to celebrate."

Dave finally managed to push his way through the crowd and was introduced in his turn. "That's a troll isn't it?" he asked, "what's he doing here?"

"I'll tell you the whole story later Dad but at the moment he's the real reason for all the celebrations."

"I'd like to know what's going on as well," said Abigail rather grimly, You've caused a lot of people a lot of grief in the last day or so. I hope you've got a very good explanation."

"It's like this," said Jennifer Jane, "I came through the door and got stranded by accident. Tony was very good about it when he realised we couldn't get back, so he blew himself up as tall as he could to see where we were and noticed this town. They don't have any trolls in this world but they do have some rather nasty goblins. He's volunteered to stay here and earn his keep frightening off the goblins, by making himself as big as a house whenever they appear. He was getting a bit fed up asking riddles that he couldn't understand himself and is ever so pleased to be able to make a positive contribution to the town."

"Well I think you're a lot luckier than you deserve," said Abigail "but I suppose you've earned your party, so we'll all stay if we may and enjoy ourselves before we take you home again."

In due course the Bells and Abigail returned to the alternate world where Rebecca took a turn at making extravagant gestures to collapse the door. It gave her a little bit of satisfaction but as she said 'It's no compensation for missing a party.'

It was getting dark as the little group arrived back at the Witches' Home. Mary was just about to say something when Abigail stopped her.

"This is a witches' matter," she said. "Apprentice Jennifer Jane, because of all the trouble and worry you've caused, you're grounded until further notice. Further more, you won't be allowed to fly again until you've passed the elementary navigation exams." She smiled at Mary. "That should keep her out of trouble for a bit."

Jennifer Jane kept quiet. She didn't want to get into any more trouble, although she did think it rather unfair that no one had thanked her for re-locating a troll to the advantage of all concerned.

At long last the family returned home to their own world. Mary got the tea ready and brought it in on a large tray.

"Sandwiches and cake all round for a change," she said. "The Witches' Home food was very good but it'll be nice to have a quiet meal on our own."

There was a large empty plate on the tray beside the three plates of sandwiches. Dave looked at Jennifer Jane, who shook her head. Then he looked at his wife inquiringly.

"Oh dear, have I forgotten the cake?" said Mary. She drew herself up to her full height and with a very theatrical gesture, said "Kerpow" and pointed at the plate. A beautifully iced cake appeared, topped by a model of the Witches' Home made in icing sugar.

Dave was most impressed. Jennifer Jane had noticed the lack of a finger twiddle and was a little puzzled until she noticed her mother pushing a small wooden box under the table with her foot. She didn't want to spoil Mum's surprise so she kept quiet.

"That's the perfect end to an eventful weekend," said Dave admiring the cake. "Now if you don't mind can we all settle down to being normal for a bit?"