The search for Merlin Homes 6/15

Later that night the three of them were sitting comfortably inside a cone shaped magic field rather like a tent that Morwenna had put up round them, “That’ll keep out all the nasties for the night! Now we can make some plans for tomorrow, while we’re having a bite to eat.”

Morwenna had produced the meal, while Jennifer Jane made a suitably sized chocolate Swiss roll to eat for pudding. Moggy had a small plate of fish and a saucer of milk for his supper and then curled up comfortably and went to sleep.

“If all the locals in this area are as frightened of witches as the last lot, then I think we ought to disguise ourselves. If we look more important, then people are not so likely to suspect us of being witches. I propose that I dress up as a titled Lady and you’ll be my page or handmaiden. Moggy can be a pet given to me by a Duke or someone and you’ll have to carry him on a cushion and make out that he’s very special. I think that should allow us to ask questions without too much suspicion!”

“If I have a choice I think I’d rather be a page boy. I don’t really like dresses and it seems to me that boys always have more fun anyway.”

Once all that was settled, they both joined Moggy for a good nights rest.

Any one who might have been watching the next morning would have seen a rather grand lady dressed in a dark green riding habit, accompanied by a boy carrying a cat on a cushion. The pageboy, for his position in life was obvious from his clothes, wore silk knee breeches, white stockings and buckled shoes, topped off by a white shirt. He had a neat pigtail down his back and carried a crimson velvet covered cushion, where a cat with a blue ribbon neatly tied round its neck, was lying with a smug expression on its face.

The overall effect was rather spoilt when the ‘Lady’ said, “Come on kid it’s time to get going and don’t let that blasted cat get away this time.”

Then all three climbed onto the strangest looking contraption with small fat wheels and flew off until they disappeared into the distance.

They flew over one or two villages before Jennifer Jane spotted what they were looking for. The general appearance was much like the familiar village of Lurbridge. A neat layout with a village green, surrounded by fields and on a small hill a grand house overlooked the area. It was obviously the home of someone important locally.

The scooter landed about half a mile away from the mansion where there was nobody about, then trundled slowly along leaving clouds of dust behind it as it rolled along the dirt road.

Jennifer Jane steered carefully through the imposing main gate, along a winding driveway and parked just outside the front entrance. Steps leading up to the front door were protected from the weather by a projecting roof supported on majestic columns. She reached up and pulled the bell handle then stood back slightly to wait for an answer.

A butler opened the door and quickly took in the rather grand appearance of both lady and servant. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of the scooter covered in dust, but his training quickly took over.

“May I ask who is calling?”