The 75th Magic Show 2/8

The flying carpet whizzed along the stream towards the fog, flying just above the treetops. Just as they reached the end of the trees, Polly tapped Robert on the shoulder and pointed down.

Jennifer Jane was directly below them paddling furiously; Drawrof was foaming through the water leaving a long white wake astern, while an equally long row of paddle splashes spread out to either side.

“She’s doing very well,” shouted Robert, “but we’ll be there long before her.”

He was quite right of course. He landed the carpet right inside the workshop and when at last Jennifer Jane ran up the lawn puffing hard, he was just tightening the last screw securing her scooter’s windscreen.

“Jolly good try!” he said, “but you can’t beat flying if you want real speed!”

Jennifer Jane didn’t have enough breath to make any comment. She walked across to her scooter and had a good look at the work that Robert had done. It was now very different to the battered old wreck that her dad had found.

All the dents had been smoothed out and the whole machine had been painted a lovely glowing shade of red. The windscreen was firmly fixed to the handlebars, while the saddle had been neatly repaired and now looked very comfortable.

“I’ve left the wheels and brakes in place,” said Robert, “I know its mostly going to be used for flying, but it’ll be easier to move around on the ground and also help protect the paint underneath from getting scratched.”

“It looks smashing!” said Jennifer Jane as soon as she’d got her breath back.

“That’s nothing,” said Polly. “I told you he was clever, just take a look at the back part where the engine was!”

Jennifer Jane did as she was asked. The space under the engine had been filled in with a sheet of metal. Polly turned a catch and lifted up the old engine cover to reveal a compartment big enough for storing parcels.

Robert fixed a spare breakdown spell in its box to the handlebars and stood back. “Right then, last job is up to you. Here’s another spell box, just open it and everything will be glittered ready to fly.”

In the blink of an eye, the same golden dust that made it easy to fly broomsticks, covered the scooter. The effect of the gold on the red paint was very striking, Jennifer Jane was speechless. The whole machine was more beautiful than she’d ever thought possible, she didn’t know what to say to thank Robert enough.

“Go on then, give it a go!” said Robert and Polly at the same time, then they looked at each other and collapsed with the giggles.

Jennifer Jane wheeled the scooter out of the workshop and sat carefully on the saddle. It was large enough to carry a pillion passenger and felt far more comfortable than her broom, even though that had been improved with an old bicycle saddle.

Carefully she wished herself up in the air. She flew round a few feet above the lawn, in front of an admiring group of witches who’d come out to see what was going on. Then she headed back to the workshop, because she wasn’t really supposed to fly on this side of the Witches’ Home.

The scooter rolled forward as she landed and she wobbled a bit until she realised that it was just like riding a rather heavy bicycle. Then she gently touched the brakes and the machine came to a halt. She was rather surprised when everyone cheered and clapped, as she got off and stood the scooter on its stand.

Abigail came over with several of her friends and had a good look. She especially admired the luggage space. “Come in handy for stowing your ceremonial gear out of the wet, when you need it to impress the public. As it happens I’ve got just the right sort of job for this little lot if you’d like to come. The seventy fifth annual magic show is being held in Smallport this weekend. There’s a special day on Friday, for witches and wizards only. If you like, we could go together in real comfort and show off at the same time!”

Jennifer Jane popped home and told her parents all about her scooter and the wonderful job that Robert had done restoring it. Then she asked if she could go to the special day on the Friday before the weekend.

Her dad laughed. “Only one day?” he said, “Isn’t Smallport where you were taken when you were kidnapped? In any case, I expect you’ll have some sort of adventure when you travel to or from the place, even if Abigail is going with you. I should think we’ll see you again in about two or three weeks!”

Her mother laughed as well. “Of course she can go Dave; she always comes back safe and sound, besides I find the tales about her adventures very interesting.”

So the following Friday morning, Jennifer Jane set of early, towing her canoe behind her, on her way to the Witches’ Home and the Magic Show.