Mathilda, SuperWitch (Mathilda's Book of Shadows #1)(8)
It was explained that rules were rules, tinkering with the innocent without their permission rarely leads to good things (yadda yadda yadda – what about the not-so-innocents?). No matter, seriously frowned on in the magical world no ifs, ands or buts.
In the end, she told me to get used to frustration and persevere, I had my calling and that was that.
She explained, “We have to be careful, history has taught us the art of cloaking our powers. Those that can find us, who open their hearts and minds, will find us.”
Blah, blah, blah.
And then she said (and this was good)…
“It’s not like we can put out a shingle.”
(Mm.)
I thought that was interesting.
I took the rest of the day and went to Glastonbury and poked around a bit and noticed something important.
Auntie Mavis is wrong.
You could put out a shingle.
Others had done it, right out in the open. Sure they were new-agey and reeked of patchouli but they weren’t hiding, that’s for certain.
Last night, I set my alarm for 2:30 a.m. and woke myself up (crazy, now waking myself up in middle of the night).
I got dressed, put on my witch cloak and went to the tower room to get the bolline which I wrapped in my black velvet alter cloth.
I then headed straight to the kitchen and cut off a huge chunk of chocolate maraschino cherry cake (one of my favorites) and wrapped it in a tea towel (feeling this had better work as would be serious waste of chocolate cherry cake).
Then I went to my tree.
On my knees next to my tree, I put my forehead against the trunk. I could feel nothing; it wasn’t talking to me tonight (probably still angry I’d blown up its branch in a fit of (justified) rage).
I wasn’t giving up.
“Please, Tree, can I have another branch? I promise to take better care of it and learn to be a good witch.”
Nothing.
“Cross my heart.”
More nothing.
Didn’t want to promise to hope to die because, well, too close for comfort.
So I brought out the big guns and took the cake and set it at the base of the tree.
“Please. If you know me at all, you know that’s a lot of chocolate maraschino cherry cake and that’s quite an offering from me, let me tell you.”
I heard the wind, the branches swayed halfheartedly.
“It’s a really big slice. Look at it.”
More swaying, stronger now.
“And yummy. Really yummy. Trust me.”
More swaying, definitely getting something…
And then a branch came down and scraped my face.
I grabbed it on the upswing and sliced it off. It was thicker, slightly more gnarled than my last bit. I threw my arms around the tree, hugged it and said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” and carefully wrapped my new wand in the velvet with the bolline.
* * * * *
The next morning I came down to the kitchen and Mavis was sitting at the big table, drinking coffee and staring at the sea.
I got my cup and walked to the table then tossed out the velvet with a flourish so that my new wand and the bolline flew out and slid across the table. (Dramatic, I know, but I was making a point and I didn’t want it to be missed.)
I sat down and said, “I want to name the coffee house ‘The Witches Dozen’.”
Her eyes were glowing with a strange light as she looked at the wand and me. It scared me a little bit but I held my own in the freaky Wiccan staring contest.
Then my wand started to vibrate and clatter on the table. We watched it as it jumped around and then it whizzed across the table and into my hand just like I was Luke Skywalker and it was my light saber.
I have to say it was totally f**king cool!
“So,” I said, ‘The Witches Dozen’?”
And Mavis looked over my shoulder and as I turned to see what she was looking at (Sebastian leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed on his chest, the usual impenetrable look on his face), I heard Mavis say (sounding all pleased with herself like it was her idea), “That has a nice ring to it.”
Yee ha! The witches were in business!
Chapter Two
The Month of December
11 December
Too busy to write much.
New lease on Wicca and am busy training. Mavis and coven have been very supportive.
Yay!
Plans in full swing for Grand Opening of The Witches Dozen Coffee House on New Year’s Eve.
Yay!
New Year’s party is posh dress, so going to London to buy myself a new outfit.
Yay!
Harvey Nichols, here I come.
Yayayay!
Was Mavis’s idea and although lots of work, will be very fun.
Wesley threw hissy fit last week when I told workers to cut half star shape into hardwood floor/all-weather matt at front door and then to embed carpet sliver moon shape in middle of café.
Told Wesley was sick of his attitude and would be happy to allow him to move on to new client if I was being too difficult. Seemed to quiet down and no more hissy fits since.
Yay!
Hired staff member/baker/barista and she is lovely. Her name is Lucinda and she may be first new friend in England.
Yay!
Called Aidan on mobile and asked him if he’d like to go to Grand Opening (as was project’s plumber and entitled to see finished product in action). (Ack!)