I’d arranged to talk to the CASS house captains about the missing trophy. First though, I called in at Cuppy C where Mindy and Amber were behind the counter. There weren’t many customers in the tea room, but there were two workmen who were busy installing the new self-order machines.
“Morning, you two. I didn’t realise they’d be installing your new machines this soon.”
“It’s exciting, isn’t it?” Amber gushed. “We weren’t supposed to get them until next month, but they had a last-minute cancellation.”
“When will they be operational?”
“I’m hoping they’ll be working later today, before I leave.”
“Coffee, Jill?” Mindy said.
“No, thanks. I can’t stay. I just called in to check if Amber was still on for the hen night.”
“Just try stopping me. Alan’s looking forward to having Lil all to himself for a change.”
“What about Pearl? Is she coming?”
“Definitely. We’ve both bought new outfits, especially.”
“You’re welcome to come too, Mindy,” I said.
“Thanks. It’s kind of you to ask, but I promised to visit my parents on Saturday evening. And besides, I’m not sure I could keep pace with you three.”
Amber came out from behind the counter. “Before you go, Jill, come and take a quick look at the self-order machines.”
“They aren’t wired up to the terminal yet, missus,” one of the workmen said, as we approached.
“I know,” Amber said. “I just want to show Jill what they look like.”
“They’re exactly like the ones in Burger Bay in Washbridge.” I nodded my approval. “In fact, if I remember correctly, they’ve just had some new ones installed.”
“Just look at the display.” Amber pointed.
The on-screen menu showed small images of drinks and all manner of cakes.
“When they’re working, you’ll be able to order a blueberry muffin at the press of a button.”
“I’ve actually given up blueberry muffins.”
“Of course you have.” She laughed.
“I have to admit that these machines are impressive.”
“Didn’t we tell you that this was our best idea yet?”
“You did, but then you’ve said that before. Have you forgotten the chocolate fountain and the conveyor belt? Not to mention the drive-thru and the—”
“Your problem, Jill, is you’re too stuck in your ways.”
“Rubbish.”
“When was the last time you did anything innovative in your business?”
“Just last week, as it happens.”
“Oh? And what was that?”
“I don’t want to bore you with the details.”
“Go on. I’m interested.”
“I replaced my manual pencil sharpener with an electric one.”
She dissolved into laughter.
“I’ll have you know that it’s dual-speed, and height adjustable.”
For some reason, that just made her laugh even more.
Eventually, she recovered enough to carry on. “When are you coming over to see Lil again?”
“When would be convenient?”
“I’m going over to Pearl’s place on Monday morning. Why don’t you come then?”
“I will, thanks.”
“Just one thing, Jill. Please don’t mention how much prettier my Lil is than Amber’s Lil. I wouldn’t want to upset her.”
“They’re both gorgeous.”
“I realise you have to say that, but a blind man could see my Lil is so much prettier.”
“What time shall I come on Monday?”
“Pearl is coming over at ten.”
“Okay. I’ll be there just after ten.”
“Hopefully, Pearl’s Lil will behave this week. She must be a nightmare for Mum to look after. Not like my Lil—she’s as good as gold—you never hear a peep out of her.”
***
When I walked into the Nomad girls’ dormitory, the four house captains: Toyah Harlow (Nomad), Lee Bartake (Longstaff), Belinda Postit (Wrongacre) and Gordon Reed (Capstan) were all seated at a table. Lee and Gordon both looked a little uncomfortable—perhaps it was their first time in the girls’ dorm. At the head of the table was Mr Bluegrass, the deputy head.
“Thank you for coming, Jill.” He gestured to the vacant seat at the far end of the table.
“No problem. I’m happy to help.”
I’d no sooner taken my seat than something brushed against my leg—I screamed and practically jumped out of the chair.
The four children all laughed.
“It’s just Fluff, Miss,” Lee Bartake said.
I glanced down to find the weird little creature that I’d encountered on my previous visit.
“Is it okay for him to be out of his cage?” I said.
“It certainly isn’t.” Mr Bluegrass did not look amused.
“Sorry, Sir.” Felicity came running down the dorm. “The catch on his cage is wonky—it keeps popping open.”
“Hurry up and catch him. We have important matters to discuss with Miss Gooder.”
“Yes, Sir.” Felicity scooped up Fluff and took him away.
“As I was saying before we were interrupted.” The deputy head was clearly growing impatient. “The headmistress has asked Miss Gooder to come over today, to help to find the inter-house sports trophy.”
“She should take a look in Toyah’s locker then,” Gordon Reed said.
“Shut up, Reedy!” Toyah glared at him.
“That’s enough!” Mr Bluegrass thumped the table.
“Why would you think Toyah has the trophy, Gordon?” I asked.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it, Miss? Nomad are going to get trounced next week, and Harlow can’t bear the thought of losing her precious cup.”
“And your proof?”
“I—err—I just know she did it.”
“So, no proof then?”
“Well no, but—”
“In that case, I suggest you keep your unfounded accusations to yourself.” I turned to Toyah. “When did you last see the trophy?”
“Just before I turned in on Tuesday night.”
“Where was it?”
“On there.” She pointed to the bookcase.
“Is that where it’s usually kept?”
“Most of the time, yes.”
“And it was definitely there the night when it went missing?”
“Yes, Miss. Definitely.”
Just then, I had a flashback to a similar incident that occurred about two years earlier. At that time, I’d been asked to investigate the disappearance of the Candlefield Cup, awarded to the winners of the BoundBall tournament.
“Does anyone have a mirror?”
“Mirror?” The deputy head looked puzzled.
“I have one in my locker.” Toyah went to get it. “There you go, Miss.”
“Thanks.” I walked over to the bookcase and moved the mirror back and forth.
“I’m a little confused,” the deputy head said. “What are you doing?”
“I worked on a case some time ago where a trophy had gone missing. It turned out that it was actually there all the time, but it had been hidden from sight by the ‘hide’ spell. I just wanted to rule that out this time.” I returned the mirror to Toyah. “Is it possible that someone in your dorm could have taken the trophy as a lark?”
“Definitely not, Miss. Everyone in Nomad is very proud of having won the trophy. And besides, we’re confident that we’re going to retain it in next week’s competition.”
“In your dreams,” Belinda Postit quipped. “Nomad will be lucky not to finish last this year.”
“You should check the Wrongacre dorms, Miss,” Toyah said. “Belinda and two of her friends were in here on Tuesday.”
I turned to Belinda. “Is that true?”
“I brought some of my team in here to look at the trophy, which we’re going to win next week, but we didn’t get a chance to see it because Toyah threatened to dob us in to the headmistress.”
“You know you aren’t allowed to enter another house’s dorm,” Mr Bluegrass said.
“Sorry, Sir.”
“What about you, Lee?” I said. “You haven’t had much to say yet.”
“I don’t think any of the pupils took the trophy, Miss. I know there’s a lot of rivalry between the houses, but I just can’t believe anyone would do something like that. The trophy is valuable, so surely it’s possible that someone from outside the school stole it?”
“Like who?” Gordon scoffed. “It’s not like anyone can get to CASS without being seen—the only access is by airship.”
“Miss Gooder doesn’t have to take the airship,” Lee said.
“Are you suggesting that she stole it?”
“Of course not.” Lee blushed. “I’m just saying that if Miss Gooder can magic herself here, maybe someone else can too.”
He had a point. It was generally accepted that I was the only one capable of magicking myself back and forth between Candlefield and CASS, but what if there were others who could do it?
We talked for a while longer but didn’t get very far.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s leave it at that for now. I may need to speak to one or more of you individually, if that’s okay?” I turned to the deputy head.
“Of course. The pupils and I are all at your disposal.”
On my way out of the dormitory, Felicity came running over to me.
“Did you manage to find out anything about Fluff, Miss?”
“Not yet, I’m afraid.”
“Please try, Miss. Time is running out.”
***
After I’d left CASS, I got to thinking about what Lee Bartake had said. If there were others who could magic themselves between Candlefield and the school, then the gold thefts could be an outside job. If not, then it was almost certain to have been one of the pupils or a member of staff.
There was one person who might have the answers—someone who was always pleased to see me.
“What are you doing here?” Grandma came to the door in her dressing gown. She had curlers in her hair, and a horrible green cream plastered on her face.
“I thought I’d drop in to say hello.”
“You never just drop in. Not unless you want something.”
“That’s a bit unfair.”
“Do you want something or not? I’m in the middle of a pamper session.”
“What’s that horrible stuff on your face?”
“It’s my secret-recipe anti-ageing cream. How else do you think I stay looking this young? I’m thinking of starting a new business to sell it. I could call it Ever Young.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not? There’s a massive market for this kind of thing. I bet you’d be all over it.”
“Me?” I touched my forehead. “I don’t have any wrinkles.”
“I’ve always admired your capacity for self-delusion, Jill. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to—”
“Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you.”
“I knew it. You’d better make it snappy because I have to get this cream off before it sets hard. The last time I put it on, I fell asleep, and had to use a chisel to chip it off.”
“I just wanted to ask if you thought it was possible that anyone apart from me could magic themselves to CASS.”
“No.” She began to close the door.
“Hold on. Don’t you need to think about it?”
“No.”
“Grandma, this is important.”
“And I’ve already given you my answer. If anyone else could do it, it would be me, and I can’t. I’ve tried.”
“But, maybe someone else—”
“Are you suggesting that there’s someone, apart from you, who is more powerful or skilful than me?”
“Well, err—no, of course not.”
“Then you have your answer. What’s this all about, anyway?”
“There’s been a spate of robberies at CASS—gold jewellery. Everyone assumes it’s an inside job, but if someone could magic themselves there and back, then it might be an outsider.”
“It’s probably one of the teachers. I never did trust the teaching profession.”
“That’s a bit harsh.”
“You know what they say. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, become jewel thieves. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to take this cream off.” She slammed the door in my face.
“Bye, Grandma.”
As I walked back down the path, Aunt Lucy appeared next door.
“Jill! I thought I saw you there. Can you spare me a minute? I’ve just brewed a pot of tea.”
“Sure.”
Once seated in the lounge, Aunt Lucy passed me a new packet of custard creams. Now that I’d given up on muffins, I didn’t feel guilty about helping myself to a couple.
“Is four enough, Jill?”
What? I know I said I’d taken a couple, but everyone knows that a couple can mean any number between two and six. Duh!
“Did your grandmother summon you?”
“No. I was picking her brain, actually. I wanted to know if she thought anyone else could magic themselves back and forth to CASS. She said she didn’t.”
“You weren’t around there for very long.”
“She was in the middle of a pamper session.”
“Did she have that horrible cream on her face?”
“Yeah. She reckons she might start to sell it.”
“Oh dear. I hope she doesn’t decide to star in the adverts herself. No one will ever buy it if she does.”
“Harsh but true.” I took a sip of tea. “You are coming on the hen night on Saturday, aren’t you?”
“You don’t want an oldie like me there.”
“Of course I do, and besides, Mad’s mother is coming.”
“The twins wouldn’t want me there.”
“It doesn’t matter what they want. It’s my hen night and I want you to come.”
“It is rather a long time since I let my hair down and had a dance.”
“That’s settled then. Get your glad rags on and meet us at Kathy’s house at eight o’clock.”
“I think I will.”
“Will you come with the twins?”
“No, I’d rather surprise them.” She grinned. “Anyway, the main reason I called you in is that Barry said he wanted a word the next time I saw you.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. He and his new tortoise friend seem to be getting on like a house on fire.”
“Where is Barry?”
“He’s in the back garden with the tortoise.”
“Jill!” Barry came bounding over to me.
“Don’t jump up with those muddy—” Too late.
“I’m playing with Rhymes.”
“The tortoise? I thought his name was Dimes.”
“No, it’s definitely Rhymes. He’s called that because he’s a poet. Come and see.” Barry led the way across the lawn. “Rhymes, this is Jill.”
Rhymes looked up (slowly). “Greetings. I apologise for sleeping through our last meeting.”
“That’s okay. I’m sorry I got your name wrong. Barry tells me you’re a poet.”
“Indeed I am.”
“Read Jill the poem you wrote for me,” Barry said.
“Certainly.” He cleared his little tortoise throat.
“Barry is a dog.
Not a chicken or a cow or a hog.
Barkies are his favourite food.
He never gives me one but that isn’t rude.
Because I only eat plants.
And I think Barkies are pants.”
“That’s—err—very good.”
“Thank you.”
“He’s written a poem for you too, Jill.” Barry’s tail was wagging with excitement. “Haven’t you, Rhymes?”
“Barry told me you were getting married next week, so I thought this poem could be my present to you.” He reached into his shell and pulled out a piece of paper. “There you are.”
“Thanks. That’s—err—very kind.”
“Read it, Jill,” Barry said.
“Okay.” I unfolded the paper.
“Jill is a witch.
She may not be tall, but don’t call her titch.
To a human named Jack she’s going to get wed.
He’s very handsome, at least that’s what she said.
The happy couple will be covered in confetti
Let’s hope it’s not too hot so she doesn’t get sweaty.”