Helen Speaks

Olive Framley Entry 14, 14th July.

From: Olive Framley
The Green Dragon Inn
St Bernice’s Field

Dear Talia,

Lucy and I are away on some serious witch business! She came at the weekend with a letter from her mentor, Vera. She said that there’s been some strange activity – sounded like a haunting, or some sort of spirit infestation, at a pub. She thought this would take two witches – so we’re both here, like some kind of magical girls’ trip.

You absolutely cannot tell Daddy that we went there on a bus, Talia. Honestly, it rattled like Daddy’s old Land Rover, but it wasn’t too bad. There’s a lot of pretty open country down here. I’m glad Lucy seemed to know what she was doing.

I brought my potion bottles with me, in the faint hope that they might help, although heaven knows I’ve not made any potions since the old days of nettle tea and hope! And I’ve got my little handbag mirror, the one that can see people’s dreams – but it’s shut up at the bottom of my case. I didn’t bring Firenze or Pompom – Hatty is looking after both familiars, if Firenze even deigns to stay home while I’m gone.

Lucy brought her case, and with her case comes her ghost friend, Teddy. He is a ghost, Talia! He gave me some daring boasts about being a gangster which I tried not to laugh at. He’s so young, Talia. Imagine being sixteen for a hundred years.

The couple who owned the pub were pleased to see us and made us a very nice lunch. They showed us the camera footage and it’s pretty spooky, Talia. Things getting knocked over. Food going missing. Candles lighting, going out again.

I really think it must be a haunting, particularly as they can’t see Teddy – Lucy tried to introduce him and they didn’t even seem to notice. It’s so funny that people can trust witches and yet not be sensitive to the supernatural at all. I wonder that they’ve noticed this ghost they have at all. Maybe it’s clattering about in the hope of getting their attention.

Lucy, Teddy and I are going to stay up tonight and wait for things to start happening. Lucy seems quite excited but honestly I’m not expecting too much.

I’ll let you know how we get on.

Yours sincerely,

Olive.