Helen Speaks

Olive Framley Entry 13, 9th July

Dear Talia,

I am pleased to report that my performance as “The Amazing Olive” was a success! The children’s birthday party loved us. True, there were one or two little swots who saw through some of the card tricks – I couldn’t make all of them real magic. But they loved it when I made Maksym fly.

Maksym’s father was happy that his son was going to a birthday party and he says that Maksym has been making friends at school. I wondered if having flying shoes might have something to do with this, but I said nothing. He’s got to learn after all. And why shouldn’t he explore his magical gifts?

I even managed to secure a few new bookings, so it seemed like a good time to go shopping again. This time I didn’t go as far as Swalebeck – there is a market in Barkmouth every Sunday, and the stalls seemed intriguing. And I thought I should probably get Maksym some kind of gift for helping me, given I think his father would get a bit suspicious if he keeps coming home with money. Of course, Maksym’s share is also going towards the upkeep of that kitten familiar of his. She leaves hair everywhere! I never realised how lucky I was with Firenze.

As I was looking around, I thought about you, Talia. I know Daddy was always aloof with you, as he feel a man in his position should be, but I also know that established families will never forget why we need witches, and Daddy is no exception. We understand what it is to need to be rid of a haunting, have an ancient curse lifted or to simply need the discretion of a magical solution because turning to the law or our neighbours would risk scandal and ruin.

Daddy has a great respect for you in truth, Talia. He may have scoffed when you dismissed attic sprites as a squirrel’s nest, but once you were gone, he said to Mummy, “Thank god for Renton, eh?” And poured himself a brandy.

In truth, I don’t think he’d even be paying me an allowance if you were not sponsoring me – he views witches as artisans, worthy of respect for their skills but beneath us in standing. But your power was never in doubt, not since the cursed chalice. You may have saved Mummy’s life and he’s never forgotten that.

And you were always a good friend to me even before I discovered my true powers. I think Mummy trusted you more than the nanny – I never did find out quite what happened there, they just said something about “undisclosed magical ancestry”.

Talia, did you sense the power in me even then? I remember how you smiled over my potions and spells, mainly devised to scare the other girls when I went back to school, and when I confessed my brews were formed of little more than nettle tea and hope, you told me that hope was the most powerful ingredient of all.

Heavens, Talia, I may have been away so long that I’ve begun to get sentimental. I am comfortable of course, especially with my new business and with Hatty’s too-keen eyes, but looking after myself seems harder than I realised. It feels like a burden sometimes, to have to step into my power rather than to relax into the helplessness of a spoiled kitten.

Mummy always seemed restless, Talia. There’s no more pampered kitten than Mummy. To think, that she knew about Aunty Ermingarde the whole time. Is that why you sent me here, Talia? And did Mummy actually want us to meet?

In any case, I decided to buy Maksym a beautiful leather bound notebook, to begin his “hag” career! I’ll be sure to tell him that hope is the most powerful ingredient of all.

And I bought some lovely old glass bottles from a stall that seemed to be selling genuine antiques among the dross. Perhaps it would be good to try some potions again.

Be well Talia. Please write soon – it has been too long.

Yours sincerely,

Olive.