The Imposter 9/9

“I’ve just found the answer to all your problems,” continued Jennifer Jane, “meet Ermintrude!”

The two witches grunted miserably and waved their hands at the tall young woman.

“Big ain’t she!” said Dulce rather unexpectedly.

Jennifer Jane grinned, “do your stuff Ermintrude,” she said pointing at the smouldering sticks.

Ermintrude obliged, there was a whoosh as the fireball hit the sticks, and then a roar of flame that shot up round the cauldron. The fire was absolutely clean with no smoke at all.

“How would you like my friend to come and live with you, then you could have good clean fires every day and no more trouble from the Witches’ Home.”

“Coo not arf!”

“Yers s’right.”

“That’s settled then, so long as you want the job,” Ermintrude nodded enthusiastically.

“Now then come with me for a moment and I’ll introduce you to Tasmin. She’s a dragon who lives in a cave just along the path from here. Her son Cyril is grown up now and I’m sure she love to look after Fred for you. You could see him every day and Tasmin can bring him up properly as a baby dragon should be.”

Fred followed Jennifer Jane and Ermintrude along the path to Tasmin’s cave. Tornak was at home and the dragons came out to listen to the story.

As Jennifer Jane had expected, Tasmin was only too pleased to adopt the orphan and Fred seemed overjoyed at meeting two grown up dragons who would like to look after him.

Just as everyone agreed that things were working out well, Esme and Dulce flew slowly along the path and stopped outside the cave.

“Come on young Erm, hop on behind me and we’ll be off home for our tea. I hope you like toasted muffins and cherry cake.”

The three witches waved and flew off along the path through the woods that lead to their cottage. Tornak, Tasmin and Fred waved goodbye, then Tornak took Fred inside the cave to show him where he was going to sleep.

Jennifer Jane heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed that everything was sorted out.

Ermintrude and Fred had new homes, while in future nobody would be able to say that they’d seen a nine-foot high version of her.

She turned her scooter round a got ready to fly back to the witches’ Home. “Thanks very much for all your help.”

“That’s quite all right,” replied Tasmin with a large dragon grin, “there is one other thing though, in future you’ll have to get used to calling Fred, Freda!”