Open day at the Witches' Home 3/10

She didn’t have to wait too long. To her surprise both Jennifer Jane and her father turned up, pushing a battered old motor scooter with a large lumpy bag on the rider’s platform.

“There isn’t any engine,” Dave was saying, “but I’m sure Robert can fix it up for flying and it’ll be a lot more comfortable than your old broomstick, even if it has got a saddle! Not only that, but you’ll be able to carry a pillion passenger as well! Cheerio now and have a nice time.” He turned and began to walk away.

“Hold on a moment dad, I’ve forgotten my sandwiches, I’ll have to pop back home and fetch them.”

“Can’t they feed you in the Refectory at the Home?”

“Not today, that’s all been laid on specially to cater for the visitors; we’re expected to make our own arrangements. I expect Abigail will be spending a lot of her time making chocolate swiss rolls.”

They walked off together towards their house, while Eve took the opportunity to scramble on board the yacht and hide in the cabin, before it disappeared.

A quarter of an hour later there was a thump and the boat rocked slightly, as Jennifer Jane carrying her sandwiches, jumped back on board.

Eve peeped out through a porthole as the boat was prepared for sailing, then ropes were cast off and the lugger and its stowaway began to move away from the quayside. She heard the loud booming noise from overhead again and once again the child answered just as if some one was speaking to her.

“No need for full sail today, the jib and mizzen will be fine for this trip, I’ve got everything I want out here in the cockpit, so the mainsail would get in the way and be a bit of a nuisance. I hope the goblins bring you something nice for your dinner; ‘bye.”

‘Goblins?’ thought Eve, ‘I’m sure she said goblins! Whatever is she on about and who on earth is she talking to?’

The little lugger moved slowly out of the pond into a small river. To Eve’s amazement she heard Jennifer Jane say ‘Witches’ Home please,’ as they found themselves sailing into a foggy area, then a few moments later they emerged into bright sunlight, shining on a scene which was completely different to the one they’d just left.

The river in the woods at Holmwood had wild banks with bushes and trees growing down nearly to the water’s edge, this river had grassy banks. The grass was short and well trimmed, although it didn’t look as if it had been cut using a lawn mower.

‘Probably sheep,’ thought Eve, then twisting her head so that she could look slightly sideways out of the porthole, she saw that they were approaching part of the bank, which had been turned into a quayside.

Slowly a lawn became visible leading up to a large half timbered mansion house. Jennifer Jane headed in towards the landing, lowered the sails and tied up. Presumably this was the Witches' Home, wherever that might be.