Beyond the Witches' Home 5/5

Abigail stood up. "Come along, you two. Barnacle Bill, you can come and be a witness."

They followed Abigail back into the Witches' Home and along a corridor to a room with a raised platform at one end. There was a desk on the platform and two of the older witches were sitting behind it.

"Is this the candidate?" asked one of them.

"Yes, Ma'am, she has helped us recently and today she unfortunately went through the Gate. I would formally request that she be made honorary apprentice and be given a protective spell in case of future trouble."

"Who witnesses this application?"

Barnacle Bill stepped forward. "Charles William Jones, please Ma'am."

"Ah yes, one of the Davy Jones. A very good family line."

The two senior witches stood up and pointed their right hands at Jennifer Jane. Before she could feel frightened, they had both wiggled their fingers and sat down again. Abigail turned and lead Jennifer Jane and Barnacle Bill out again onto the lawn.

"What happened?" asked Jennifer Jane.

"You are now officially a witch's apprentice. The guards will know if you go near the Gate and just in case you do go out, you have a powerful spell for your protection."

"But I can't even make proper chocolate Swiss rolls."

Abigail laughed. "You don't know how lucky you were with that spell; if you'd wiggled your middle fingers the wrong number of times, you might have got anything from an earthquake to a bolt of lightning. Now, your protecting spell will only work on the other side of the gate but it won't operate until you are in sufficient danger."

By this time, they had reached the paddle steamer. Barnacle Bill climbed on board and started to raise steam, whilst Jennifer Jane started casting off the mooring ropes. Abigail waved goodbye as they turned in the river and headed back towards the Giant's pool.

"I never did take Abigail out for a trip," said Barnacle Bill.

"Never mind," said Jennifer Jane, "I'm sure she'll come one day."

The Giant didn't seem to notice them as they arrived in his pool. He was still talking to himself about the food at the party.

"Goodbye, thanks for the ride," called Jennifer Jane.

"Next time, we'll just go for a quiet excursion to my home with Abigail," said Barnacle Bill in his grandest manner.

"Royal icing, with hundreds and thousands on top," murmured the Giant.

Jennifer Jane laughed and ran off home.

"Nice walk, dear?" asked her Father, as she came in the door.

"It was out of this world, Dad," said Jennifer Jane.