A Walk round the Witches' Home 3/4

The guard looked at her rather strangely. “I don’t know what you’re up to kid but no one goes out when Tornak’s around. I’ve never heard of Tasmin or Cyril, and your broom if you’ve really got one, is in the broom shed with all the others.”

“Tasmin is Tornak’s wife; she’s ever so nice although she does talk rather a lot. Cyril is their son.”

“Wherever did you dream up that load of rubbish, Tornak is certainly not married and so obviously there’s no son. Anyway shouldn’t you be out on the lawn with the other apprentices practising your twiddles?”

Jennifer Jane was beginning to get quite worried by now. Nothing seemed to be the same as usual. Perhaps it was something to do with her walk round the Home.

At least the witch in charge of the practice class had recognised Abigail’s name and said she could talk to her after the class was over.

She made her apologies to the guard and went back along the corridors to the lawn. The class was just finishing, so she ran over and asked the teacher if she could speak to Abigail.

“Of course you can dear, she’s only just left, I’ll call her back for you.”

One of the young girls walking up to the Home turned round and ran back in response to the teacher’s call. “This young lady wants a word with you Abigail. Don’t be too long now or you’ll miss your dinner.”

“I’m sorry to bother you again,” said Jennifer Jane, “but the Abigail I’m looking for is a journeywoman and I’m her human apprentice. Something funny seems to be going on today and I was hoping she’d be able to tell me what’s happening.”

The teacher looked at her in astonishment, “I’m going to have to go and find a senior witch to come and have a word with you. Just stay here and chat to Abigail while I’m gone. I’ll try to be as quick as I can.”

Abigail looked at Jennifer Jane and giggled. “You are a one; however did you manage to make all that stuff sound so convincing. I’m the only Abigail in the Home and there’s no such thing as a human apprentice.”

“But the Abigail I know is a journeywoman, I am her human apprentice. The first thing she taught me was how to make chocolate swiss rolls.”

“Well I don’t know who you’re talking about, in any case what on earth is a chocolate swiss roll?”

Jennifer Jane demonstrated and gave the result to the young witch.

“At least you’re telling the truth when you say you’re a witch. I’ve never seen that particular twiddle before, although it seems to be based on a standard spell for making cakes. Wow!” she said, as she took a bit of her roll, “now that really is something. Show me again, a bit slower this time.”

Jennifer Jane obliged. The apprentice looked thoughtful and then had a go for herself. She was beginning to look familiar, rather like Abigail might have been when she was a lot younger.

However, at this point the teacher returned, accompanied by a senior witch wearing her full regalia in order to impress the stranger.

“Off you go Abigail,” said the teacher. “Now young lady, stand up straight in front of your elders and betters and explain yourself.”