A Witch Like No Other Read online

  “Yes, I know. I-” Pandora hesitated. “I have a box.”

  Miriam leant across her chair, interested. “A box?”

  Pandora nodded. “It’s made of pure gold; it was my mother’s.”

  “Dreamer had a box… that’s interesting. Is it a magical object?”

  “Yes,” Pandora said, nodding. “When I’m… upset or angry, I write.”

  “Yes, you did tell me that.”

  “I write it down, and I put the paper in the box. Then I light the candle.”

  “Candle? What candle?”

  “That’s just it, I don’t know. When I write it appears in the box.”

  “And you light it?”

  “Yes, and I put it in the box on top of the paper.”

  “Pandora, you could have started a fire.”

  “It’s magic, I said,” said Pandora impatiently. Miriam smiled at her, wanting to hear more. Pandora had never looked so exultant.

  “Go on, love.”

  “And I put the candle on top of the papers, and I close the box and go to sleep.” Pandora hesitated, then she whispered “It glows. Bright yellow, so I don’t need my lamp on.”

  Miriam nodded understandingly: Pandora was afraid of the dark.

  “But three nights ago Marlon barged in on me, and he saw it glowing.”

  “What did Marlon say?”

  “Nothing,” scowled Pandora. “He just stared at it. And I told him not to tell Dad and he stared at me too, then he backed out of the room and closed the door.”

  “Do you think he was scared?”

  “Marlon’s not scared of magic. Our mum was a witch, remember?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “He doesn’t take it seriously,” grumbled Pandora. “This morning he was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he told Dad about the box.”

  “Oh no,” said Miriam, though she was smiling. She thought Marlon a delightful boy, though Pandora was her favourite. She remembered when they had both come to meet her. Pandora didn’t answer her when she said hello, but Marlon smiled and shook hands. Then he stepped back and said “No offence Lady, but I don’t need a shrink. I’m all right without one, because I’ve got my Dad to talk to about my Mum and stuff.”

  He hesitated, then he asked “Is that all right?”

  “Of course it is,” Miriam said soothingly. “Would you like to leave?”

  “Yes please. Come on, Pandora.”

  Pandora looked at him, then back at Ted, who was waiting. Then she looked at Miriam. Miriam thought nothing of it at the time, but now she knew that when Pandora’s green eyes had scanned her face it was because she was experiencing some sort of déjà vu.

  “Would you like to stay and talk?” Miriam asked her gently, hopefully.

  Pandora opened her mouth, then she shook her head and walked away.

  “You keep thinking,” complained Pandora, as Miriam smiled. “I might as well go back home now, you’re not even doing your job.”

  “I’m thinking three years back-” Pandora went rigid in her seat, Miriam quickly adding “When we met properly.”

  “Can we just start the session please, Miss Hughes?”

  “Pandora, I’m your godmother.” Miriam’s smile was ravishing: it felt so good saying those words. “You don’t have to- you can call me Miriam.”

  “I don’t want to. I’m not used to it.”

  “Well, you don’t have to be so formal now that you know.”

  “I just said I’m not used to it,” Pandora said heavily, drumming her fingers on the chair arm. “Besides, I want to talk for once. Just because you’re my godmother it doesn’t mean you can start slacking, you know.”

  “Well said,” smiled Miriam. “How are you, Pandora?”

  “Fine.”

  “Can you tell me what’s on your mind?”

  “September,” said Pandora, sighing. “I have to go to college.”

  “I think that’s a very good idea.”

  “I’m going to drop out anyway,” she said, shrugging. “You know I- I…”

  “You have a problem with socialising since your mother died?”

  “Say Dreamer,” said Pandora sadly. “You was friends, right?”

  “Very close friends, but love, you just told me I cant start slacking on the job.” Miriam smiled as Pandora scowled at her. “Right?”

  “Right, you flipping…”

  Miriam burst out laughing, Pandora smiling grudgingly.

  “So, Pandora. You have a problem with socialising.”

  “Yes. I hate it, and now I have to go back to college again. I dropped out of the last two courses,” said Pandora, shrugging a shoulder. “I hated them. Why was I doing a load of Science? I don’t want to be a scientist.”

  “Pandora, you’re eighteen now. You know you can choose whatever you want to choose,” Miriam told her gently.

  Pandora shrugged, saying “I did choose them when Dad suggested Science. Nobody made me. I wish there was some sort of magic course; that’s why I chose Science. Loads of experiments and stuff, right?”

  “But Pandora, you also like to write.”

  “Yes Miss Hughes, I know.”

  “Would you like me to help you choose a course for September? If you’d like, I can gather some prospectuses and we’ll-”

  “Are you allowed to do that, Miss Hughes?”

  Miriam knew she said it to goad her, but she couldn’t help reacting.

  “Pandora, I’m your godmother. Stop thinking of my job, ok darling? To be honest I’d really like to take you out one day, just us. Shopping, the cinema, you name it. In this office I am your mentor, but think of outside it. Wouldn’t you like to know me a bit more? Your godmother? Right now all you have is Ted and Marlon. You can have me as well, love.”

  Pandora hesitated. “How do I know you wont leave me?”

  “Pandora, I’d never leave on my own accord. I promise.”

  “What if we have a big falling out?”

  “We’ll work it out.”

  “What if I tell you something you wouldn’t like?”

  Miriam laughed. She couldn’t stop herself- Pandora looked so worried!

  “Pandora, remember I’m your mentor. For three years we’ve been talking, and you’ve told me plenty I didn’t like.”

  “Oh.”

  “So how about it, Pandora?” asked Miriam. “Let me in your life?”

  “No, I… all right then. But I bet ten pounds you’ll leave me soon.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “I guess I’m getting there,” said Pandora thoughtfully. “First I had just two people in my life for over two years, and now I’ve got three.”

  They looked at each other, and they both smiled.

  * * *

  Pandora didn’t come home until eight that night. Ted was practically ripping his hair out with worry: she was always home by four latest. It wasn’t his rule of course, but he had gotten so used to Pandora’s ways that it hadn’t occurred to him she might want to stay out later.

  “Where’ve you been?” demanded Marlon, rushing downstairs in nothing but a towel around his waist, his hair dripping with water. “I’ve been worried sick, Pandora! You’d better be grateful I didn’t call the feds…”

  He trailed off in amazement, Ted staring at her as well.

  Pandora’s smile was so broad it lit up her features, revealing the girl they loved and lost the minute Dreamer was pronounced dead.

  “Dad, I’m sorry you worried, but… first I had just you two, and now I’ve got a third person to spend time with.”

  “Who is he?” demanded Marlon, but Ted knew what she was going to say. Pandora shook her head at her brother, saying “Not a boy, idiot. I hate boys and I hate girls too. I hate people. I’m talking about Miss Hughes, Marlon.”

  “The shrink? What about her?”

  “Her and Mum were friends. She’s my godmother.”

  “What!” exploded Marlon. “Your godmother?? Since when?”

 
; “She told me everything when I went there,” said Pandora happily. “She even told me the church I had the ceremony in and everything, and she talked about Grandma for a bit too- and I never really spoke about Grandma… isn’t it nice, Dad? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t want you to think she was taking your mother’s place, ‘Dora.”

  Pandora’s smile faded as she thought about that.

  Marlon was seething. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Come on son, I didn’t know until your mother died.”

  Marlon’s expression cleared immediately, then he scowled.

  “You want to watch her, ‘Dora. She’s really attached to you. Remember what happened last time when certain people were attached to you?”

  “Shut up, Marlon!”

  Pandora shook her head, but the images were in her mind again. Stile hovering over her as she played the piano-

  “Pandora,” said Ted firmly, but she didn’t respond. “‘Dora, stop thinking about it. See what you’ve done?” he said to Marlon, who shrugged.

  “I’m just warning her, Dad.”

  “Yes, and are you going to warn her if she makes new friends too?”

  “No, I-”

  “Get some clothes on, Marlon.”

  Marlon looked hurt by the dismissal, but he obeyed.

  Before Ted could talk Pandora left as well, looking as moody and down as she did before she left the house this morning.

  * * *

  Pandora scrawled Damon Stile’s name down frantically, placed in in her golden box and lit the candle. Closing the lid and watching as the box began to glow, she breathed deeply. Soon Stile left her mind totally, Pandora whispering “Thanks, Mum.”

  Dreamer had taught her so much. Pandora climbed into bed, wondering about her godmother. It wouldn’t hurt to have a woman figure in her life, would it? And Miriam was very fond of her, for some wild reason. Pandora knew it was because she was friends with her mother, and had watched her grow from a distance, through pictures and letters from Agnes and Dreamer. How did she know that? She just did.

  Ted knocked on her door, Pandora calling “Don’t come in!”

  “Will you come out, then? I miss my little girl.”

  “Dad, we’ve got tomorrow to talk. And Saturday too.”

  Ted laughed, saying “I only want a hug, ‘Dora.”

  Pandora cringed. Physical contact was out of the question.

  Ted knew that of course, but it couldn’t hurt to try for the thousandth time. Pandora gritted her teeth before saying “I don’t want one, Dad.”

  “All right then. Sleep tight.”

  “You too.”

  * * *

  Pandora’s alarm went off at ten a.m., Pandora rolling over in bed.

  “Why do I even have a cell phone?” she muttered, sitting up slowly. “I mean, it’s not like I get calls anyway. I should give it away.”

  She swung her legs out of bed into her slippers, yawning as she looked at her golden box. Where did Dreamer get it from? Grandma Agnes, probably. And the spell book as well. Pandora smiled, knowing that Ted would go berserk if he found out she stole Dreamer’s dusty old book from her bedroom, along with the magical box and crystal quartz, and her wand. Her wand, Pandora thought hungrily.

  Ted had burnt all of Dreamer’s things in anguish, except her pictures. Marlon stole some of her things too, but Pandora didn’t know what things. She didn’t care. She had her mother’s wand and spell book and box and crystals, and that’s all she needed. Ha, thought Pandora smugly. Witch in the making.

  * * *

  “Pandora, I’m sorry for getting at you last night.”

  Pandora ignored her brother totally, appearing deeply immersed in her book as she drank her tea. Marlon tried again.

  “I was being an idiot-”

  “As always.”

  “And I’m sorry.”

  Silence.

  Marlon looked at Ted, who said “Pandora, your brother’s talking to you.”

  “Cant you see I’m reading, Marlon? Talk to me afterwards.”

  “I give up,” said Marlon angrily, getting up. “I’m going to watch TV.”

  “Try getting a job,” Pandora replied, turning a page.

  “You’re such a-”

  “Nothing worse than you, big brother.”

  “Hey,” said Ted warningly, when Marlon opened his mouth furiously. “It’s still morning time. What are we doing today, then?”

  “I’m staying home,” Marlon said, looking daggers at Pandora.

  “I’m staying in my room,” Pandora said flatly, then she glanced Marlon’s way. “Keep out of my way, Marlon.”

  “I’ve got nothing to say to you anyway.”

  Ted sighed, picking up his briefcase. “See you this afternoon.”

  “Bye Dad.”

  “Bye,” said Pandora, not even looking at him. Ted smiled, feeling that they were getting somewhere. Before Pandora wouldn’t even have acknowledged his leaving, and now… he knew he had to thank Miriam.

  * * *

  Pandora picked up the house phone a week later, then put it down.

  “Just call her,” said Marlon, annoyed. “Stop moping around.”

  Pandora glared at him. “Why are you still here?”

  “I’m taking my time, little sister. And I want to see if you’ve got the guts to call your godmother.”

  “If you wasn’t such a loser maybe I’d share her with you.”

  “If you wasn’t such a freak I’d consider your offer.”

  Pandora’s eyes flashed. “Why don’t you flip James over and suck his-”

  “Pandora!” said Ted, surprised at her. “Curb your tongue.”

  Pandora glared at them both and punched the numbers in the phone, waiting impatiently.

  “St. Peter’s Clinic. How may I help you?”

  “Uh…” Pandora swallowed. “Is Miriam Hughes there please?”

  “She’s in a meeting right now. Can I take a message?”

  “Well, I- um… I just…”

  Pandora looked at her father for help, not used to speaking to other people. Ted took the phone, saying “Tell her Pandora Black called.”

  “Yes sir. Have a good day.”

  “See what being a loner does to you?” said Marlon, shaking his head. “You cant even talk to other people anymore.”

  “She was a stranger!” said Pandora, eyes filling. “I didn’t know what to-”

  “Never mind,” said Marlon reassuringly, as the doorbell went. Ted opened it to James Henbit, Marlon’s best friend.

  “Wassup, Mr Black!”

  “Hello James,” said Ted wearily. James was one of those people who could do your head in just by smiling at you.

  “Marlon, you ready to go?” James looked their way, then he exclaimed in surprise. “Pandora! Hey girl, how you doing?”

  Pandora opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She hadn’t seen James since she was fifteen, him sixteen. He was a guest at her birthday party… then they moved away. Marlon refused to lose contact with him, expectedly. They’d known each other forever. But Pandora changed big time. Now she couldn’t stand people at all.

  James frowned at her, wondering what the silence was for.

  “Pandora?”

  She shook her head and fled upstairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her. James looked at Marlon, amazed.

  “You weren’t kidding, bro?”

  “No,” said Marlon heavily. “Come on, let’s go.”

  * * *

  Ted got home a little late, due to train delays. “Pandora?”

  Silence.

  Ted knew she was in, she just didn’t bother answering him. Marlon wasn’t back yet. Ted dropped his briefcase on the kitchen table, then he sat down as he thought of his late wife. He felt angry that she had betrayed him, sad because she was gone.

  Rubbing his forehead, he asked “What should I do about Pandora?”

  Have a cup of coffee first, Teddy Bear. Then talk to her.


  Ted gasped, falling out of his chair. The familiar whistling of the kettle made him scramble to his feet and look around fearfully.

  “Dreamer?”

  * * *

  Pandora flicked through Dreamer’s spell book, recognising her grandmother’s handwriting, shortly followed by her mother’s.

  She heard the crash in the kitchen, but didn’t go and check it out.

  “Dad probably passed out,” she joked to herself, then he heard Ted’s footsteps on the landing. Slamming the book shut and pushing it under her bed, she grabbed a newspaper and sat innocently as he knocked.

  “Can I come in?”

  “If you have to.”

  Ted came in with a mug of hot chocolate for Pandora and a cup of coffee for himself. Pandora put the paper down, sensing his alarm.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, ‘Dora. Nothing,” Ted said quietly. He wasn’t about to tell her anything. She’d get her hopes up and maybe try and do something silly. Pandora accepted the chocolate, watching as he sat on her chair.

  “Have you thought about college, Pandora?”

  “Miss Hughes is going to help me choose a course.”

  “You didn’t like Science, did you?”