Helen Speaks

Olive Framley Entry 0, 9th April.

To: Talia Renton
14 Sweetfield Beck
Halley
Treville

From: Genevieve Olive Framley-Waters
Crag Cottage
Barkmouth

Dear Talia,

I’m settled in at last. This is a funny, pokey little town you’ve sent me to and the cottage definitely needs some renovation. But I’ve set up and I’ve managed to put around some business cards. You said this town hasn’t had a witch in decades – I’ll show them how smart and professional a witch can be!

I am glad you agreed to be my mentor. What a wonderful gift my Chinese Water Dragon was! I knew that I could never be a witch with a cat or an owl. Magic needs to be modernised.

I have named my new familiar Firenze, after Florence, the beautiful city where I first realised I needed to be a witch. As glamorous as it seemed to be in society circles, parties and culture, I realised I felt unfulfilled.

Despite the state of the cottage, I feel like everything is open to me for the first time in my life. As Firenze has settled into his new terrarium, he was clearly curious about the sound of the sea. The waves were crashing against the cliffs so very wild and free. I feel like those waves.

I went walking and found some sea caves, full of whispers and promise. The light glinted in on the cave walls and I could feel a magic stirring.

And then I went to the finest coffee house in town, which turns out to be a tired little cafe with formica tables, but a few smooth words and I’ve made good on my threats to get a job. The manager agreed that I could come in and read fortunes once a week, and would only need pay a few pounds an hour.

Mummy and Daddy will be horrified, and I’m sorry to say that this pleases me. In fact, I feel proud of myself. If they do cut off my allowance, I’ll have a source of income still, even here where I’m apart from the usual connections.

Daddy has sent a local girl around to be my housekeeper and I’m sure she’s spying on me for him, but I’m glad I don’t have to have the bother of cleaning and tidying. Drudgery should not be a part of this new freedom.

I shall have to leave “Genevieve” behind, dear Talia, and take my middle name. Please address any letters to Olive Framley… It sounds commonplace but that will help. That was another of Daddy’s conditions, or else he’d cut me off without a penny. I think Mummy might be secretly a little proud. I always did think she’d be wild if she got the chance. But she’s too skittish, too afraid. I may be only eighteen, but I feel that if I hadn’t risked leaving, I’d have become just like her. This is my last chance, Talia.

I held her hand as I went, and I had a future flash, but I did not tell her, because it was very odd and at the time I didn’t believe it myself. She was passing through the streets of Treville but she was riding a bus, crammed in with many other people who pushed and shoved and smelled. I wonder what it means.

At least this little town is so close that I will not have to get a bus, but can walk and when I have enough money, I will get a car. I did have the funny idea that I might get a horse. It would certainly boost my mysterious reputation.

One last thing I thought I should tell you about – do you remember that coat I bought? It seems to be rather good at helping me not be noticed. Slipping it on, the people here no longer give their ill-bred stares and on taking it off they occasionally seem surprised as if they can’t understand why they didn’t see me before. This will be useful I’m sure Talia.

It is a strange existence and I do hope to find friends before long. But all the same, this is an adventure, and I’m glad you’ve sent me on it. You’ve freed me from the true drudgery of expectations and obligations, Talia, and for that I’m forever grateful.

Yours sincerely,

Olive.