Helen Speaks

Introduction to Olive: https://helenspeaks.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/olive-framleys-magical-year/

Previous encounter at Dune House: https://helenspeaks.com/2025/04/21/olive-framley-entry-3-21st-april/

Characters: https://helenspeaks.com/characters/

Dear Talia,

The strange weather continues. Yesterday it was raining on one side of Crag Cottage but not on the other. The town was covered in rain, and over the sea it was bright and sunny. I wondered if it was some sort of trick… something meant to draw me out. I put on my coat, and started walking the way I felt I should go.

It was very heavy rain and I ended up sheltering underneath a tree near Dune House. Of course I had my silver coat on, but the same woman as before came out. “You poor dear,” she said, “You’d best come inside. I’m afraid Lucy’s gone out… it must be something with you witches, insisting on walking into the storm!”

She insisted I come in, and she hung up my coat and made me a cup of tea. I sat down in her tidy dining room. Something about the place seemed familiar, Talia. Not just because it was obviously where the little witch Lucy lives. There were various cutesy knickknacks and paintings, but nothing really caught my eye. It just felt… like I’d seen it before. But I’ve never been to Barkmouth before.

“Ermingarde,” she said, as she came back, “Ermingarde Webfoot.” She smiled at me. “Have a slice of cake.”

I ate a slice of cake.

“This is very kind of you, Miss…”

“Mrs.”

“Mrs Webfoot,” I said. “There is something very strange about this storm…”

“Oh, Barkmouth has been an odd place for centuries, we just pay it no mind,” she said. “Tell me about yourself, Olive. Where are you from?”

“Oh… Tre… Trechester,” I said. “My family are… accountants.”

“Very interesting,” she said.

And I realised that she knew I was lying. Why did it bother me so much?

The rain suddenly stopped – like it had before – and I excused myself with comments about errands to run. Do you think I was just drawn there because another witch lives there? It feels like Mrs Webfoot can see through all my disguises.

What could it mean? I don’t know if I want to find out. I’ll steer clear of Dune House in future.

If you know anything, Talia, let me know!

Yours sincerely,

Olive.

Question: Is it ever a good thing to feel like someone can see through you?

If you enjoyed this post please share it with others. You can also subscribe by adding your email to the link on the left of my homepage.

Next entry: https://helenspeaks.com/2025/04/26/olive-framley-entry-6-26th-april/