Open day at the Witches' Home 5/10

Eve watched through a narrow space between the partly open cabin doors. To her amazement Jennifer Jane stood on the quayside, reached down into the cockpit and picked up the motor scooter, complete with its large bag in one hand, put it on the quayside and then pushed it up the lawn towards the house.

She headed off to the left-hand end of the building and disappeared into a large workshop. A few moments later, she came out again without the scooter and walked back along the front of the house and in through the door. The girl was obviously quite at home with her surroundings.

The next thing she saw was even stranger. A grown up lady wearing a witch’s pointed hat and a cloak covered with badges, led a party of visitors out onto the lawn. She was obviously showing them round the building and Eve strained her ears to try and hear what she was saying.

She remembered the Bell girl saying that it was open day at the Witches’ Home, so presumably a group similar to her own, was having some sort of exhibition day to show off their costumes and try and recruit some new members.

“We are now approaching the workshop where Robert services the fairies cloud transport and keeps our brooms and carpets in good flying order.”

Eve had a quiet giggle to herself, whoever the visitors were; the ‘witch’ showing them round was laying it on a bit thick. Fairies, flying carpets, flying brooms and cloud transport, sounded very impressive, but also very improbable.

Before long the group came out of the workshop and crossed the front of the building towards a shed at the other end.

“On our right, is the river which is connected directly to a magic transport fog, and those of you who have met Jennifer Jane, will be interested to know that the small yacht moored there belongs to her father.

The witch paused for a moment, allowing the crowd to look round and take in the scene.

“Jennifer Jane herself arrived from the alternate world this morning,” she went on “and will be helping us with our guide duties during the day. Now over here we have the shed where all the witches are required to keep their flying brooms when they’re not in use.”

Eve was choking with laughter, trying hard not to make too much noise in case she was found stowing away. ‘Oh dear, whatever next, one thing’s for sure, I bet there’s not going to be a demonstration of broom flying!’

She wiped the tears from her eyes and had another peep out of the porthole. Two rather poorly dressed ladies were standing in the doorway, obviously not too sure where to go next. At that moment another group of visitors appeared, lead by none other than the kid herself, dressed up in a pointed hat and cloak just like the other ‘witches’.

After a short chat the visitors were taken off towards the workshops, while the two ladies headed towards the boat. Eve didn’t want to be caught hiding, so she decided that the only thing she could do, was to leave the lugger and pretend that she was just one of the visitors having a look round.

“Hello,” said one of the ladies as Eve came out of the cabin, “are you friendly with the Jennifer Jane kid? We’re a couple of her witch friends from the alternate world through the Gate” She pointed back through the doorway into the building.

“Yers ‘sright,” said the second lady, who to Eve’s mind, didn’t seem to be terribly bright.

“I’m a friend of the family, I live next door to the Bells and I’m a witch as well, although I’m not part of her group.”

“Coo, I didn’t know they had witches in your world, apart from Jennifer Jane of course, but she’s only a second year apprentice.

“Oh yes, I’m a Member of the Antediluvian Guild of International Covens.”

“My name’s Esmerelda and this is my friend Dulcibella,” said the witch who was doing most of the talking, “we’re both freelance.”

“Pleased to meet you, my name’s Eve.”