Clara almost knocked her bedside lamp over as she grabbed for her alarm as it went off in a jangle of noise that set her pulses racing. Convinced that she must have woken at least half of the school, she switched it off hastily and sat up straight in bed, listening frantically. Nothing, however, stirred and she released her breath in a sigh of relief as she looked round the room. It was becoming more familiar now and the posters she’d stuck up on the walls looked really cool.
She slipped quickly into some dark trousers and pulled on a top, before twisting her long hair back into a ponytail so that it didn’t flop over her face.
It was then that she took a grey, dull-looking ring from the third finger of her right hand and transferred it to the ring finger of her left hand. She looked at her reflection in the long mirror fastened to the back of her bedroom door. It showed her room and nothing else. She was invisible. She smiled softly as she switched it back again. The magic rings were for emergencies only and really, there was no need for them at this time of night. No one would be around to see them and they’d be as quiet as mice.
Excitement thrilled through her as she thought of the adventure to come. Would they find the talisman in the hall fireplace? She hoped they would for otherwise the possibilities were endless. Most country houses had big, open fireplaces and if there was another clue in the riddle, she had yet to find it.
Cautiously, she opened her bedroom door and holding onto the banister made her way carefully down the spiral stair, grateful for the moonlight.
The school seemed totally deserted and although she crept quietly along at first, her confidence gradually grew and by the time she reached the long corridor that led to the main staircase, she was striding along, thoroughly enjoying the adventure.
She stopped abruptly, however, when a black shadow suddenly swept across the stretch of windows that lined the corridor. An owl, she thought, flying in front of the moon? No, surely it was too big for an owl. She turned and, looking out to see what sort of bird it was, clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. There, flying in the darkness above the grounds of the school was a witch; a witch on a broomstick.
Heart racing frantically, she stood rooted to the spot, unable to take her eyes off the shadowy figure that was growing ever smaller as it headed out towards the main road and the hills beyond. She was only roused from her trance by a whispered voice.
“Clara,” she heard Neil call from the end of the corridor. “Clara? Where are you?”
Clara turned. She had forgotten all about meeting Neil. “Neil,” she choked.
He ran lightly up to her. “What’s the matter?” he hissed. “Clara! What’s wrong?”
“Neil,” she said, grabbing him urgently, “you’ll never guess what I’ve just seen! I … I was on my way to meet you and … and something flew across the window. You’re never going to believe this but … it was a witch,” she said, “a witch on a broomstick!”
“A witch!” Neil’s eyes narrowed as he strode to the window and looked out over the moonlit grounds. “There’s nothing there now,” he observed.
“I know,” she whispered impatiently. “But that isn’t what’s freaking me out! Listen to me, Neil! I reckon she came from inside the school. I’m sure she did; from one of those windows over there.”
“I think that’s the staff living quarters,” Neil said, peering out.
“You know what it means, don’t you?” she said in a whisper.
“Yes,” Neil’s voice was hard as he answered, “It means that one of the staff is a witch! Look,” he said, “what if we just have a quick peep at the fireplace in the big hall. If we do it now, then at least it’ll be over and done with — and it won’t take long, either.”
“Okay,” Clara whispered, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go!”
They slipped silently down the main staircase and over the stone-flagged floor towards the hall. For a moment, Neil thought it might be locked but the door handle turned quite easily and, shivering with excitement, they crept inside.
Moonlight lit up row upon row of chairs, set out for assembly the next morning, but they only had eyes for the massive fireplace at the far end of the hall.
It was so big that when they clambered inside, Clara found she could stand upright under the chimney. But although they went over it carefully, there was nothing to show that anything had been hidden there.
Clara looked disappointed as she stepped back and shook her head. “There doesn’t seem to be anything here,” she whispered.
“What about the library?” Neil said, pursing his lips thoughtfully. “It has a big fireplace in it as well.”
Clara nodded. She had recovered from the shock of seeing the witch and wasn’t the least bit tired. Besides which, she was quite enjoying their midnight adventure. The library, however, was further away than she’d thought and she quickly lost track of where she was. “Is it much further?” she whispered.
“Just along here,” he replied.
They both stopped, however, when they reached the heavy, panelled door, looking at it uncertainly. It was ajar. Someone was in the library! At this time of night? Who could it possibly be? Neil leant forward quietly. “Change your ring over,” he breathed in her ear, “just in case …”
Clara nodded and promptly disappeared as she changed her magic ring to the other hand. She couldn’t see Neil now and, reaching out, felt for his arm as he pushed the door open a little further so that they could slip inside.
At first they couldn’t see anybody. Maybe, Neil thought, the door had just been left open by accident; but then again, perhaps not.
Don’t let there be a witch, Clara was thinking. Please, don’t let there be a witch.
Walking silently, they moved from aisle to aisle, slipping between the high bookcases, searching each alcove for the intruder. Then they saw him and Clara breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, she thought. It wasn’t a witch, after all; it was one of the staff.
Neil froze, recognizing the German teacher, Herr von Grozny. At first he thought, quite naturally, that the man had come to the library to look for a book but this was not the case. Not the case at all. The man was obviously searching for something, his hands moving swiftly and methodically behind the rows of books.
Neil pulled on Clara’s hand and they moved closer to him. It was a mistake. They realized it the minute the man stiffened. His head lifted and he seemed to sniff the air before whirling round, his pale blue eyes searching the room.
Neil couldn’t believe it. He knew they were there! Heart beating fast, he tugged on Clara’s hand.
She didn’t need to be told. They had to get away. Nerves tense they moved steadily backwards, very gently, step by step. Herr von Grozny, however, made for the door at a run and Neil’s heart sank as he realized that the room, although huge, was a trap. There was only one way in and out.
Just as Von Grozny reached the door, however, one of the school janitors appeared; a stooped, elderly man with greying hair.
“Is anything the matter, Herr von Grozny?” he asked.
There was a curious, strained silence. Von Grozny straightened and his eyes flashed coldly blue as they met those of the old man. Such was the tension between them that Clara gripped Neil’s hand hard.
“No,” Von Grozny said slowly, “I came down to look for a book.”
“You didn’t find it, then?” the janitor said, observing his empty hands.
“Er … no, I didn’t.” He looked at his watch. “My goodness, it’s much later than I thought. My apologies. I’ll look for it again tomorrow.”
“That’s fine then, Sir,” the janitor smiled. “Off you go and I’ll lock up.”
Von Grozny shot the man a furious, somewhat baffled, look before striding swiftly away down the corridor. The janitor, however, seemed in no hurry to leave. He left the door standing wide open as he inspected the library to see that everything was intact and by the time he returned, Neil and Clara were long gone.