Helen Speaks

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

Firenze’s gift: https://helenspeaks.com/2025/05/09/olive-framley-entry-7-9th-may/

Olive meets Maksym: https://helenspeaks.com/2025/05/27/olive-framley-entry-12-27th-may/

Dear Talia,

Firenze did something he’s never done before… He brought Maksym with him on one of his magical portal journeys!

Maksym didn’t even seem surprised – he’d spotted Firenze and followed him. He said that he’d told his father he’d gone to his friend’s to play, in the same block where he lives… but he’d snuck out to play by himself outside instead.

And he was carrying this grubby little fur bundle that turned out to be a kitten. “I found him, by the bin! He’s all alone. But he likes me… I think he wants to be my cat… like a hag’s cat.”

“Witch’s cat,” I said. “We’re witches. And that’s a good thing.”

The poor thing was frightened but it did seem very taken with Maksym, who didn’t even flinch as it clung on with its sharp little claws.

A pet is a lot of responsibility, I thought.

“We should take him to a vet or an animal shelter,” I said.

Maksym shook his head. “He found me. He wants me. I’m going to look after him.” He paused, looked at his feet diffidently, then took a deep breath. “Will you help me? I’ll learn from you. I’ll do whatever you tell me. Tato doesn’t want me to do magic but I…”

“You have to?” I asked him, “Because it feels like it has to burst out of you?”

“Yes. Yes, you understand. Please, Olive… I don’t just want to be a miracle. I want to be a hag.”

“A witch. Yes.”

“And… Can Pompom stay here?”

He peeled the kitten off his chest and gave him to me. I was a little less impressed by this.

“He needs food and company – and I already have a familiar…”

“Please Olive?”

He looked at me with his big blue eyes and I knew I was sunk.

I didn’t dream I’d be a mentor this soon, but this boy clearly needs me.

I needed to clear my head, so I went out and practised the weight altering spell a bit more. I think I’ve mastered it now and can reliably not make rocks float away – it’s going in the spellbook.

I feel like I have an apprentice, Talia. This changes everything.

Yours sincerely,

Olive.

Question: Have you ever been mentored anyone? What was the experience like?

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Next entry (Lucy’s next letter): https://helenspeaks.com/2025/06/07/lucy-skylark-entry-18-7th-june/

Olive’s next letter: https://helenspeaks.com/2025/06/09/olive-framley-entry-15-9th-june/