Ten minutes later, I was racing down the school corridor, past Miss Roland’s classroom and out though the school gates.
I had just had the most interesting conversation of my life. Mrs Winkle told me all about modern witches, and how they didn’t fly about on broomsticks or eat frogs and toads, or even make spells in a cauldron!
She told me that she was a natural-born witch, like me. And she promised that if I went to school and worked hard, she would help me with my magic!
‘Yippee!!’ I shouted, as I raced down the road.
But back at 13 Crag Road, I leaned against the front door. I was worried. There was always a result to any action – and now I had to face the results of my actions in the cellar.
‘Oh, lordy,’ I whispered. ‘I only wanted to teach Grizz a lesson! I hope she’s not dead!’
I heard a soft miaow and a rustle in the bushes and, a moment later, Charlie leapt out. He trotted over to me, purring like an engine. Was it my imagination or did he look a little fatter, as if he’d had a big meal?
‘Oh Charlie,’ I said. ‘Please, please tell me you didn’t eat Grizz.’
But Charlie just looked at me with innocent golden eyes and yawned. He was giving nothing away.
A lump formed in my throat. If Grizz was dead, it would be all my fault! I walked into the house and peeped around the kitchen door.
Wormella was sitting at the table as usual – but she was stroking something in her hand.
It was a thin, grey mouse.
‘Thank goodness!’ I said. A massive wave of relief washed over me. After all, I may be a witch, but I don’t want to be a murderer!
‘So there you are!’ said Wormella. ‘Anna, how could you?’
‘Yes, Aunty?’ I said.
‘After you left,’ said Wormella. ‘I heard all this yowling and squeaking. So I rushed into the kitchen – and Charlie was throwing poor Grizz in the air over and over again!’
‘Oops,’ I said, trying to hide a smile.
‘You are naughty, Anna,’ scolded Wormella. ‘She is my sister, after all.’
‘She doesn’t look like anybody’s sister at the moment,’ I said. ‘And it serves her right. She’s been really horrible to me, you know.’
‘I know,’ said Wormella. ‘But she’s not really that bad underneath. It was Ancient Evil that did it.’
Wormella put her hands over the mouse’s ears.
‘And I’m glad it’s gone!’ she whispered.
‘My pleasure, Aunty,’ I said, bowing.
‘But Anna,’ said Wormella. ‘You should have told me you were a witch.’
‘I didn’t know myself until a few days ago,’ I said.
‘Well,’ said Wormella firmly, ‘You can just use your powers to turn this rodent back into my sister.’
‘I’ll do my best, Aunty,’ I said. ‘But I’m just sort of making it up as I go along.’
I took some white chalk from the kitchen drawer and drew a five-pointed star on the floor. Then I stepped inside, and pointed my right index finger at the grey mouse, I tried hard to think of rhyme that would change it back into Grizz.
Nothing came to me. My mind was completely blank. I stood there for ages until my legs went numb.
‘Well?’ said Wormella.
‘I’m really sorry, Aunty,’ I said. ‘Nothing seems to be happening.’ I stepped out of the star and sat down. ‘I don’t think I’m very good yet.’
‘You can say that again,’ said Wormella. She sighed and stroked the little grey mouse. ‘Grizz really is quite sweet like this, though, isn’t she?’
‘A lot nicer, in my opinion,’ I said.
Our eyes met.
‘No, Anna,’ said Wormella. ‘We can’t just leave her like this!’
‘But she’ll be all right for a while,’ I said. ‘At least until I can work out how to change her back. And it would certainly give her plenty of time to think about her evil ways.’
‘I suppose so,’ said Wormella. ‘Just make sure you keep Charlie away from her.’
I took the mouse from Wormella and wagged my finger at it.
‘You can stay in one of the old cages, Grizz,’ I said. ‘And after I turn you back – if I turn you back – you’d better behave!’
The mouse squeaked a bit and stuck its nose in the air. I handed it back to Wormella.
‘What now, Anna?’ said Wormella. She lowered her eyes and her chins began to wobble. ‘I expect you’ll want to leave, won’t you?’
‘No, Aunty,’ I said. ‘I’m staying.’
‘Really?’ said Wormella, beaming.
‘But there are going to be a lot of changes around here,’ I said. ‘I’m going to St Munchin’s, and I’m going to make friends and have a normal life – that is, as normal as possible in the circumstances. You’re not going to try and stop me, are you?’
Wormella looked at me to the mouse and back to me.
‘Wouldn’t dream of it, dear,’ she said. ‘In fact, I feel quite jealous. I’d love to go back to school.’
I had a bright idea.
‘Why don’t you, then!’ I said. ‘There are loads of evening classes for adults at St Munchin’s!’
Wormella’s!’ mouth dropped open.
‘Could I, Anna?’ she whispered. ‘Could I, really?’
‘Yes!’ I said. ‘You could sign up for an art class, like you always wanted! And let’s face it,’ I poked the mouse with my finger, ‘she’s not going to be able to do anything about it, is she?’
‘I suppose not,’ Wormella said, giggling.
‘And even when I manage to change Grizz back into human form,’ I said, ‘She still won’t be able to do anything to us.’
‘Why’s that, dear?’
‘Let’s just say I’ve got to know some powerful people…’ I said.
Wormella’s eyes went wide and curious.
‘Who on earth do you mean?’ she said.
I tapped the side of my nose, which meant ‘mind your own business’. I didn’t want to get in trouble with Mrs Winkle for blabbing about her.
‘Sorry, Aunty,’ I said. ‘Can’t tell you at the moment. Top-secret.’
‘Very well, dear,’ said Wormella. ‘If you say so.’
She put the mouse on the table, got up and put her apron on.
‘Well, I can’t sit about chatting all day,’ she said. ‘Your tea isn’t going to make itself, you know. Sausage and chips all right, dear?’
Sausage and chips! At last! A decent meal! It sounded like music to my ears.
‘Yes, please!’ I said. ‘But, first, I’ve just got to pop outside for a second.’
I ran into the garden to the dustbin. I lifted the dustbin lid, took off my black hat, and threw it in. Then, with a smile, I slammed the lid shut and ran back inside.
READ ANNA’S SECOND
ADVENTURE, THE WITCH IN THE WOODS.
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