Witch Is When Everything Went Crazy Read Free Page A

level I might have been on if I’d started on my studies when I was a kid.
    The ‘mask’ spell had obviously worn off because I noticed an old lady do a double-take when she realised that the bus stop was now fifteen yards further down the road.
     
    Peter had taken the kids to a birthday party—there seemed to be one almost every week. Kathy had invited me over for a takeaway. She had curry; I had burger and chips. I told her that Grandma was about to open a shop on the high street.
    “How old is she?” Kathy said, through a mouthful of rice.
    “I don’t actually know. She can’t possibly be as old as she looks.”
    “Shouldn’t she have retired by now, and anyway how is she going to get here every day? Does she drive?”
    Only a broomstick. “I’m not sure. By bus, I guess.”
    “Do you think she might find me a part-time job? For while the kids are at school.”
    This was going from bad to worse. The thought of those two working together didn’t bear thinking about. “I doubt she’ll be able to afford anyone at first.”
    “Ask her to keep me in mind, would you?”
    “Sure.” Not a chance.
    “Have you heard from Jacky Boy?” Kathy asked.
    “If you mean Maxwell, then no. Thank goodness.”
    “If you and he don’t get together soon, I’ll be forced to set you up on another blind date.”
    Kathy’s track record at hooking me up on blind dates was less than stellar. If I told you that the guy who had spent all evening with his finger up his nose had been the ‘pick’ of the bunch, you’d probably get the picture.
    “If you do, I’ll kill you.”
    “I’m looking forward to my birthday blast. It’s ages since I got off my face.”
    “Me too. I can’t wait,” I lied. Normally, I would have been looking forward to it, but I had the small matter of having to juggle that, and the wedding on the same day.
    “Auntie Jill!” Mikey came rushing in.
    “Auntie Jill.” Lizzie was two steps behind him.
    “Hi guys. How was the birthday party?”
    “It was fantastic,” Mikey said.
    Lizzie nodded in agreement.
    “There was a magician. He did magic tricks. It was fantastic. Can I have a magic set, Mum? Please?”
    “You’ll have to wait until Christmas. Money doesn’t grow on trees you know.”
    “If I had a magic set, I could make it grow on trees.” Mikey laughed. “Do you like magic, Auntie Jill?”
    “I do.” More than you’ll ever know.
    “You used to hate magic when we were kids,” Kathy said. “You used to say it was fake.”
    Mikey looked horrified.
    “I never said that,” I protested.
    “You did. Can’t you remember that time when we were watching a magician at the seaside somewhere, and you stood up and shouted, ‘It’s in your hand’?”
    “I never did that.” The memories came flooding back. El Mystero, the so-called magician, had palmed a ball in one hand while pretending to make it vanish into thin air in the other. Such an amateur! “Anyway, I like magic now.”
    Mikey’s smile returned. “Do you think magic is real, Auntie Jill?”
    “Magic? Yes, I’m sure it is.”
    Peter hadn’t spoken a word, which wasn’t like him at all. Kathy must have noticed too because she sent the kids to play in their rooms.
    “What’s up?” Kathy said.
    “The holiday money has gone.”
    “Gone? What do you mean, gone?”
    “Norman Reeves has vanished, and taken the money with him.”
    “Where’s he gone?” Kathy said.
    “If I knew that, he wouldn’t have vanished, would he?”
    “No need to get ratty with me.”
    “Sorry. I just don’t know how I’m going to tell the kids. They’ll be devastated.”
    “Who’s Norman Reeves?” I asked.
    “He’s the trip coordinator. Quiet guy. Works at the local housing office. I can’t say I know him all that well. If I’m honest, he comes across as a little weird.”
    “Why would you trust him to be treasurer then?”
    “He’d done it for the last two years. There’s never been a problem before.”
    “If it helps, I