WPI29 - Witch is How The Drought Ended Read online

  “You could have stayed and won. It’s not like this is the first time that you’ve thrown a tournament either. Look what happened in the Levels Competition.”

  “The dragon was going to attack the crowd at the Levels. What was I supposed to do?”

  “Always with the excuses. What was the point in me spending all that time preparing you for this competition?”

  “I’m sorry, Grandma, but I couldn’t allow Ma Chivers to kill Sybil.”

  “Sybil? You’re on first name terms with a dragon?”

  “We’d met before when I was helping the headmistress at CASS. She’s really lovely.”

  “Do I look like I care about a stupid dragon?”

  She didn’t.

  “I’ve already apologised. What else can I do?”

  “Jill!” Aunt Lucy and Lester came rushing over. “Thank goodness you’re okay. We were worried sick.”

  “Did you see what she did?” Grandma shouted. “She threw away her chance to beat Ma Chivers.”

  “But she’s okay.” Aunt Lucy gave me a hug. “That’s all that matters.”

  “I give up!” Grandma stormed off. “You two deserve one another.”

  Chapter 2

  “I still think there’s something you’re not telling me,” Jack said while opening a new box of muesli.

  “There isn’t, honestly. Ma Chivers won; I lost. That’s all there is to it.”

  “And there were no dragons at all?”

  “I told you when I got back yesterday. They didn’t have any wild animals this year. It was all very sedate.”

  “You seem to be taking this remarkably well, which isn’t like you at all. Normally, you’re a terrible loser.”

  “Rubbish. I’m always perfectly gracious in defeat.”

  “If you say so. I doubt your grandmother will be so gracious.”

  “Don’t mention her. I’m going to lie low until she’s got over it.”

  “How long do you think that will take?”

  “No more than a year or two if I’m lucky.”

  “Is it today that you’re holding the interviews for your office manager?”

  “Yeah, this afternoon. I’m seeing them in Java’s coffee shop.”

  “What’s wrong with using your office?”

  “Winky.”

  “Oh yeah.” He laughed. “I’d forgotten your cat had his eye on that job.”

  “It isn’t funny. Goodness knows how he’ll react when he finds out that I’ve recruited someone behind his back.”

  “I used to think I had a lot to contend with at work, but my job seems like a breeze now, compared to what you have to put up with from that cat.”

  “No kidding. Winky is going to make my life a misery once I drop the bombshell.”

  “Are you sure you won’t change your mind about this weekend?”

  Jack and some of his bowling buddies were going to Stroud for the weekend to watch the National Championships. He’d been trying to persuade me to go with him, but I’d rather pull my own teeth out without anaesthetic than spend two days with a bunch of guys talking non-stop about strikes, spares and splits.

  “No, thanks. I’m going to have a lazy weekend all to myself.”

  “It’ll be fun. Some of the other guys’ partners are going.”

  “How many of them?”

  “I don’t remember exactly.”

  “Don’t give me that. How many?”

  “Just Liz. Henry’s wife.”

  “I get it. The real reason you want me to go is so that Liz has someone to talk to. Not a chance. Are you forgetting I’ve met Liz before? She makes Mr Ivers seem interesting.”

  “What will you do stuck here by yourself all weekend?”

  “I’ll probably go into town and spend all your money.”

  ***

  When I arrived at the office building, I bumped into Jimmy and Kimmy on the stairs.

  “How’s it going, you two?”

  “We’ve been at it all weekend, haven’t we, Kimmy?”

  “Yeah, but we’re more or less done. All we need now are the signs.”

  “Did you speak to Mr Song?”

  “I did.” Jimmy rolled his eyes. “I see what you mean about his singsong voice. I found it rather off-putting at first, but he did give us a great price.”

  “And you remembered to mention about the fonts and positioning of the signs?”

  “Yes, I emphasised all of that.”

  “I imagine you’ll have a long wait?”

  “Actually, no. He said he’d be able to fit us in straight away. He’s going to install your sign and ours tomorrow.”

  “Oh? That’s great.” How come they got to jump the queue?

  “Just in time for our open day on Wednesday,” Kimmy said. “We’ve got ads running in the local paper and on the radio. You must drop by and take a look for yourself, Jill.”

  “I’ll try to, but I do have rather a lot on this week. When do you actually plan on opening?”

  “A week today.”

  “You must have tons to do, then. I won’t keep you.”

  “Morning, Mrs V. I’ve just found out that our new sign is being installed tomorrow.”

  “Did Mr Song call you?”

  “No, I heard it from those clowns next door.”

  “I’m not sure you should refer to them in that way.”

  “That’s what they are, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but it’s the way you say it. Anyway, I have something important I want to ask you.”

  “As long as it doesn’t involve clowns.”

  “It’s about my niece, Dagmar. Her husband walked out on the family some years ago, and now she has to go into hospital for a few days. She’s asked if I’d mind looking after her daughter, Angel, while she’s in there.”

  “I assume you said yes?”

  “Of course. I’m hoping that you’ll allow me to bring her into work with me. She’s a delightful child and not an ounce of bother.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather take a few days off work and stay at home with her?”

  “I considered that, but there’s so little to do at my house for a youngster. I thought if she came here, she could use my computer. At lunchtime, I can take her into town to grab something to eat, and we can do some shopping.”

  “That’s fine by me. How old is she?”

  “Let’s see. It’s eight years since I’ve seen her, so—”

  “Eight years? That long?”

  “Yes, they moved away for several years, and they’ve only recently come back to Washbridge. She must be fourteen or fifteen by now.”

  “When will she be coming in?”

  “Tomorrow, probably.”

  “I’ll look forward to meeting her. Maybe I can talk to her about a career as a private investigator.”

  “I’m pretty sure that Dagmar wants Angel to have a proper career. A solicitor or a doctor—that sort of thing.”

  “Right.” That had well and truly put me in my place.

  “Oh, I almost forgot, a Jane Bond called a short while ago.”

  “Not the James—?”

  “Jane, not James.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “She’s coming in to see you in about thirty minutes. I hope that’s okay.”

  “It is, and if the office manager interviews go according to plan later today, you’ll soon be able to check my schedule online.”

  “That sounds rather complicated.”

  “I’m sure it won’t be. The office manager will show you how everything works.”

  Winky was curled up in the middle of the floor.

  “What are you up to?” I said.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that.”

  “I’m just lying here, minding my own business.”

  “Come on. I know you. What money-making scheme have you hatched this week?”

  “I’m just being a cat.”

  “Hmm?”

  I didn’t trust him as far as I cou
ld throw him.

  ***

  Jane Bond arrived five minutes early; she looked a little shaken. Winky was fast asleep when she arrived, and he didn’t stir.

  “Thank you for seeing me at such short notice, Ms Maxwell.”

  “Call me Jill, please. Would you like a drink?”

  “No, thanks. I had one at a coffee shop just down the road. Strange place. Everyone kept shouting snap.”

  “That’s Coffee Games. They have a different game theme every day. I usually stay away on snap day.”

  “I see. Before we start, do you mind if I ask one question?”

  “Fire away.”

  “Why does it say clown underneath your sign?”

  “That refers to the business just along the corridor: It’s a clown school. Hopefully, by tomorrow, the sign situation will be resolved.”

  “I see. I thought it was a little strange. I’m here because my younger sister has gone missing. Her name is Pam. Pam Turton.”

  “How old is she?”

  “Twenty-two. Three years younger than me.”

  “When did she go missing?”

  “About two weeks ago.”

  “I assume you’ve contacted the police?”

  “I have, but they’re not interested.”

  “Given how long she’s been missing, I find that rather surprising.”

  “When Pam was a teenager, she went through a difficult time at home. Our parents weren’t the greatest. My father, in particular, was a difficult man to live with. I was just about able to put up with it, but he really wound Pam up. She ran away a number of times, for days at a time, but then she’d turn up again out of the blue. No one ever knew where she’d been. When I tried to file a missing person report, they brought up her record, saw how many times she’d run away in the past, and then seemed to lose interest.”

  “That’s disgraceful.”

  “Maybe, but it’s what happened. That’s why I’m here.”

  “Was your sister having any problems? Relationships? Money? That kind of thing?”

  “Not that I know of, but I hadn’t seen her for almost a month. I’m afraid the last time we were together, we had a big argument.”

  “Is it possible that’s why she left?”

  “Definitely not. We often fall out, but we always have each other’s backs.”

  “You said it was a big argument? Do you mind if I ask what it was about?”

  “Not at all. Our father is very ill; he doesn’t have much time left. I tried to persuade Pam that she should go and see him one last time.”

  “I take it that she didn’t want to know?”

  “She refused point-blank.”

  “Where does Pam live?”

  “She has a houseboat on Washbridge canal. When she told me she was going to live there, I thought she’d lost her mind, but to be fair, she’s turned it into a lovely little home. That’s why her disappearance is so surprising. For the first time in her life, she has somewhere she can call her own.”

  “Does she live there with anyone?”

  “No.”

  “She’s not seeing anybody, then?”

  “Not at the moment. At least, not as far as I’m aware. She was in a relationship, but they broke up about three months ago.”

  “What happened?”

  “The guy dumped her.”

  “What about close friends?”

  “Pam has always been a bit of a loner. As far as I know, the only close friend she has is Carly Broome.”

  “Have you spoken to her?”

  “Yes, but she hasn’t seen Pam for a while either.”

  “Even so, I’d like her contact details if that’s possible?”

  “Sure.”

  “Also, I’d like to see her boat if I can.”

  “Of course. I can meet you there and show you around if you’d like.”

  “Great. When?”

  “I have to go straight to work after I leave here, and I daren’t take any more time off this week. Maybe tomorrow evening, if that works for you?”

  “That’ll be fine.”

  On her way out, Jane glanced across at Winky who was now curled up on the sofa.

  “That’s a lovely cat you have there. I wish mine was as peaceful as he is. Toots runs around the house like something possessed, and is always scratching the furniture.” She smiled. “I still love her, though.”

  Once Jane was out of the door, I turned to Winky. “This innocent act of yours doesn’t fool me. I know you’re up to something.”

  “I’m back!” Winky came in through the window.

  Huh?

  I glanced back and forth between the Winky on the sofa and the other Winky who was now sitting on the window sill.

  “It’s okay, Lionel,” said the Winky on the window sill. “I’ve got this now.”

  “How do you put up with this one?” Winky, AKA Lionel, jumped off the sofa. “She’s a bit much.”

  “I did warn you, buddy.”

  “Excuse me! I’m standing right here, just in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  Lionel jumped onto the window sill, high-fived Winky, and then disappeared out of the window.

  “You, Sir, have a lot of explaining to do.” I fixed the remaining Winky with my gaze.

  “What do you want to know?” Winky jumped onto my desk.

  “Who was that other cat for a start?”

  “That was Lionel.”

  “I gathered that. I meant how come he looks exactly like you, and what was he doing here?”

  “I thought you’d have worked it out by now. Lionel is a shifter.”

  “What?” I exploded. “Are you telling me I’ve been sharing my office with a strange man?”

  “It’s not like you’ve been getting naked in here or anything.” He smirked. “Or have you?”

  “Of course I haven’t. How long has he been here?”

  “Just since Saturday morning. Socks invited me over to his place, and we decided to make a long weekend of it. I knew you’d be worried if you came in today and found I’d gone, so I called Temporary Animals Inc.”

  “You’ve just made that up.”

  “No, I haven’t. They provide temporary dogs, temporary rabbits, temporary chinchillas, temporary—”

  “I get the picture.”

  “It’s a brilliant business model. I wish I’d thought of it. A bunch of shifters got together and formed the company. If any animal needs to get away for a while they simply call Temporary Animals, and organise a replacement. Ingenious, eh?”

  “Lionel didn’t fool me. I knew something wasn’t right about you—err—him.”

  “Yes, but then ours is a rather different relationship. Normally, the shifters supplied by Temporary Animals don’t have to worry about holding conversations with their two-legged host. So, be honest, did you miss the real me?”

  “Not in the least. It wouldn’t have bothered me if you’d never come back.”

  “It’s a good job I did. As part of a double act, you make a pretty good straight man, but as a solo act, you’re pants.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Just look back over these two chapters. Not so much as a guffaw until I came through the window.”

  “Chapters? Are you talking about the chapters of our lives?”

  “You know what I’m talking about.”

  “And what’s a guffaw?”

  “It’s the lowest rating on the laughometer, and you couldn’t even manage that. Face it, Jill, without me, you just aren’t funny.”

  “I don’t have time for your nonsense. I have a business to run. The next time you decide to take a holiday, just go. I don’t want any more creepy shifters in here.”

  “As you wish.”

  The cheek of that cat. Not funny? Me? That was just ridiculous.

  And when I want your opinions, I’ll ask for them. Which, just for the record, will be never.

  After that shock to the system, I needed a cupcake, but I wasn’t sure if I
dared go to Cuppy C in case Grandma was there. She would no doubt have plenty to say about my performance, or lack of it, in the Elite Competition.

  In the end, hunger got the better of me, and I decided to risk it.

  “Is she here?” I said.

  “Why are you crouched down there?” Amber peered over the counter.

  “I’m hiding.”

  “I can see that, but why?”

  “I don’t want Grandma to see me.”

  “She isn’t here. I haven’t seen her for almost a week.”

  “Phew!” I got to my feet. “In that case, I’ll have a caramel latte and a—”

  “Blueberry muffin?”

  “Actually, I quite fancy a cupcake. Strawberry, please.”

  “I heard what happened yesterday at the Elite Competition. I kind of wish I’d been there now—just to see Grandma’s face when you flew off on that dragon.” Amber laughed.

  “I’m glad you think it’s funny. She’s going to make my life a misery.”

  “Why did you do it?”

  “The idiots who organised the tournament had captured a conquestor dragon.”

  “I’ve never heard of those.”

  “Everyone calls them royal dragons, but their real name is conquestor. They’re friendly creatures who wouldn’t hurt a fly. I knew this particular one; she had a baby back home in her nest.”

  “Aww, poor thing. Was the baby alright?”

  “Yes, thank goodness. Mother and child are both perfectly okay.”

  “That was a really nice thing for you to do, Jill. Giving up the chance to reach level six, and risking the wrath of Grandma, can’t have been easy. I’m really proud of you.”

  “Does that mean I get these for free?”

  “No chance.”

  It was worth a try. “How come you’re here, anyhow? Aren’t you and Pearl supposed to be off today?”

  “Mindy lost a filling over the weekend, so I’m just covering for her while she nips to the dentist. Incidentally, Belladonna starts on Wednesday.”

  “The woman who’s going to be working in the creche?”

  “Yeah. You’ll have to come over and meet her.”

  “I’ll do that. It’s a bit of a weird name, isn’t it?”

  “I kind of like it.” Amber glanced around the shop. “If I tell you something, Jill, do you promise not to breathe a word of it to Pearl?”