A Witch Like No Other Read online

  “I’ll sleep in the park!”

  And what will you do if a stranger wakes you up?

  “I… I’ll run away!”

  Fine, what will you do if the police wake you up?

  “I’ll still run away,” sighed Pandora, sitting on her bed.

  Think about it, Pandora. You cant go anywhere.

  “Did Grandpa really kill Dad’s parents?” she asked, eyes filling.

  It was an accident, darling.

  “But that’s why Dad hates magic, though. Right?”

  He loved it before the incident, Dreamer replied. Yes.

  “Well, he cant stop me from being a witch and Marlon a wizard.”

  I know.

  “He hated you doing magic too, I remember.”

  Because it reminds him of your grandfather, that’s all.

  “That’s all?”

  That’s all, Pandora. Now go and wash your face.

  * * *

  “You selfish git!” spat Marlon, Miriam standing between him and Ted with her arms held out. James was there as well, holding Marlon back as he said “She could be anywhere, thanks to you!”

  “Me!”

  “Yes, you! Trying to dump your burdens on us- why don’t you go and talk to Miriam in her office or something?! Pandora was so calm and relaxed today before you messed it all up!”

  She was? James thought to himself. That’s good. She still hasn’t called or texted me, though. Obviously she doesn’t want to know.

  “Let go of me, James!”

  “Let’s keep it cool, Marlon!” said James, scared that his friend would swing for his dad. “I’ve got a car, we can look for Pandora!”

  Before Marlon could answer he, Ted and Miriam jumped at the same time, their beloved Dreamer’s voice echoing inside their heads.

  She’s at home. Go to her.

  “What was that?” demanded James, as they looked at each other. “You looked like frogs or something!”

  Heart racing, Marlon said “Go home, James. I’ll call you.”

  Breathing heavily, Ted added “Visit in a few days time- we need to be alone right now. There’s things we need to sort out.”

  “I want to see Pandora,” said Miriam quietly. “What if she heard…?”

  They looked at each other, then they sprinted away.

  James looked down at the picnic basket, picking it up as he called

  “I’ll just hold onto this for you, yeah?”

  They didn’t look back.

  * * *

  “Pandora!” yelled Ted, bursting through the front door with Marlon and Miriam behind. “‘Dora, are you all right?” Silence. “Pandora!”

  “I’m in the bathroom!” she called angrily. “Leave me alone!”

  “Hurry up and come out!” said Marlon desperately- he dashed up the stairs as soon as the bathroom door opened and pulled Pandora clean off her feet, giving her a tight hug. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine,” she mumbled into his shoulder. “I heard Mum talking-”

  “So did we, so did we- she told us you’re here-”

  “I thought you would run away,” said Ted, relieved to see his daughter safe and sound even though it cant have been over an hour.

  Pandora almost didn’t answer him. He knew her well.

  “I would have, but Mum stopped me.”

  “But she’s dead,” whispered Miriam. “I cant figure this out.”

  “Put me down Marlon,” muttered Pandora, and he did. Tightening her robe, she said “She might be alive, Miriam. I told you already.”

  “And if she is,” Marlon said like before as he rubbed his neck, “She’s got some explaining to do. I mean serious explaining, mind you.”

  Ted opened his mouth to ask about the wand, then he closed it.

  Now wasn’t the time.

  * * *

  Two days later, Alice Pets walked into the clinic her father owned as Pandora was walking out. They banged into each other, both of them stumbling backwards. Steadying herself, Alice said “Sorry for that.”

  Pandora said nothing, staring at her. Alice hesitated, then she asked “Are you ok?”

  Pandora nodded, backing away slowly. Alice stepped closer.

  “Are you sure?”

  Pandora’s back hit Miriam’s door- fumbling for the doorknob, she opened it and ran inside, quickly closing the door behind her.

  Miriam turned, surprised. “Pandora, what-”

  “There’s a girl out there,” said Pandora, panic stricken. “She was- was-”

  “What?”

  “Talking to me!”

  Miriam laughed. She couldn’t help it as she opened the door and looked out. Alice had a confused look on her face as she came over, asking “Is she ok? I didn’t mean to scare her, I-”

  “She’s fine,” said Miriam soothingly. “How are you, Alice?”

  “Never mind me- what’s wrong with that girl?”

  “She’s not used to socialising with people,” Miriam explained. “Pandora’s been through a lot- but really, under the shyness she’s a wonderful girl to know.”

  “I’ll bet,” said Alice, already intrigued. “Pandora’s such a cool name.”

  “Would you like to come in and say hello?”

  Pandora shook her head, but Alice said “Can I?”

  “Miriam, please don’t let her in!” hissed Pandora, but Miriam ignored her. Pandora backed away as Alice walked in. Smiling, Miriam said “Pandora love, this is Alice Pets. She’s Tony’s daughter.”

  “Hello,” said Pandora nervously, and Alice said hello.

  “Pandora’s a really cool name, you know. I wish I had it.”

  “Oh- thank you,” said Pandora shyly, and Alice smiled at her.

  “Who gave it to you?”

  “My mother,” said Pandora, nodding at a picture on Miriam’s desk.

  Alice looked, then she gasped. “That’s Dreamer Black!”

  “You know her?” said Pandora, amazed. “From where?”

  “She’s been on the telly before on her mother’s show-”

  Pandora was confused.

  “Grandma had a show?”

  “She still does,” said Alice. “You know, one of those clairvoyant shows. Last week it was Agnes versus Mystic Meg-”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “No no, I’m serious! Dreamer was there, and-”

  Miriam choked on her coffee, Pandora looking frightened.

  “My Mum was on the show?”

  “She’s always on the show,” said Alice, shrugging. “Sometimes she takes over. I cant believe she’s your mum, she’s so cool and-”

  “She’s alive,” said Pandora weakly, and Alice frowned at her.

  “Who said she wasn’t?”

  “Alice love, how long has Dreamer been on the show?” asked Miriam.

  Alice thought about this. “About six months now.”

  “Six months,” said Pandora. “She’s been around for six months!”

  “Pandora, I’m sure Alice would like to know what on Earth you’re talking about,” said Miriam gently, and Alice nodded. “How about you two go for a quick walk in the park? I’ll meet you there in half an hour: I need to lock the office and tell Tony not to worry about Alice.”

  “I’m eighteen,” pouted Alice. “You don’t have to explain to Daddy.”

  “Yes I do,” smiled Miriam. “Go on, both of you.”

  Pandora hesitated. “But… I don’t know her.”

  “You do now,” said Miriam firmly. “Pandora, Alice has just told you Dreamer is alive- you owe her a conversation. She wants to know you.”

  “Be your friend,” corrected Alice, and Pandora sighed her ok.

  * * *

  “I witnessed the whole thing,” said Pandora, tears falling down her face. “Stile killed her. He- he wouldn’t stop stabbing her- maybe he couldn’t stop. I was screaming at him to stop and he- he-”

  Alice’s eyes filled over as she handed her new friend a tissue.

  �
��I never knew, I-”

  Pandora shook her head, understanding.

  “They covered it up big time, because she was a witch. They couldn’t let that get out, the stuck up little gits.”

  Alice thought about this, then she said “But Pandora, listen for a minute. Dreamer’s a witch, right?” Pandora nodded. “You cant seriously have thought she was gone forever. A while maybe, but not forever!”

  “I know, it’s stupid now.” Pandora wiped her eyes, then she said “There’s some other things I want to tell you, if you’re not scared.”

  “I’m not scared of anything,” said Alice boldly, and Pandora smiled.

  “Neither am I.”

  * * *

  Alice was totally impressed. “So you’re a witch like Dreamer?”

  “Yep.” Pandora paused. “I’m not as powerful as her, though.”

  “And your brother’s a wizard- his name’s Marlon, right?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Alice counted everything off on her fingers. “You’re a witch. Your big brother’s a wizard. You’ve got a wand, a spell book and a box.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Your father hates magic because your grandpa killed his parents-”

  “When he loved it before,” Pandora added. “Go on?”

  “Dreamer’s been talking to all of you, Miss Hughes included,” said Alice. “And you lot was all scared because you thought she was dead, but she’s alive- she’s been around for six months-”

  Pandora didn’t respond to that. She still couldn’t believe it.

  “And you and Marlon performed magic right here in this park, in this spot- in broad daylight,” said Alice, frowning. “Are you nuts?”

  “We wasn’t thinking,” mumbled Pandora, and Alice looked at her. Then she said “How many spells do you know, then?”

  “There’s hundreds in the spell book,” Pandora said cautiously, not wanting to give an actual number. “I just haven’t practiced a lot of them.”

  “Ok, how many have you practiced?” probed Alice, and Pandora mumbled something. “What?”

  “Just one,” she muttered. “I’m only really good at one of them.”

  “Can I see it?” Alice asked eagerly, and Pandora smirked at her.

  “In broad daylight?”

  Alice pouted. “I only said that to sound mature.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Come on, let me see it. What does it do?”

  “It changes something into something else.”

  “Like bread into toast?”

  Pandora rolled her eyes. “Did I say I’ve got a toaster?”

  “No,” said Alice, face growing hot. “Sorry.”

  “My Mum turned a guy into a frog once, at college.”

  “Wow! Stuff like that?”

  “Stuff like that.”

  Shaking her head, Pandora pulled out her wand. Then she smiled.

  “What’s your favourite animal?”

  “Bunny rabbit,” said Alice happily, then she stopped as Pandora stared at her. “What? Come on, they’re cute! And I love Bugs Bunny.”

  “I stopped loving him when I turned thirteen- but I love Disney.”

  “So do I!”

  “Are you sure it has to be a rabbit, Alice?”

  “I’m sure. Wait!” Alice looked around, then she said “A blue one.”

  Pandora smiled at her, saying “Now we’re talking. Ok, here goes.”

  She looked at the swans and ducks, then she pouted.

  “They’re all in the water!”

  “I’ve got some bread right here,” said Alice, rummaging in her bag.

  “Alice. Why exactly do you have bread in your shoulder bag?”

  Alice smiled innocently. “To feed the ducks.”

  Pandora couldn’t help smiling back. “I like you.”

  “Ditto,” she said happily. “I think we’re going to be real good friends.”

  “Don’t throw all of it in the water,” instructed Pandora, deliberately not answering that. “Leave some pieces by the edge, let them come out.”

  Alice obeyed.

  Pandora’s green eyes sparkled as she watched the birds swim over.

  “Suckers.”

  As soon as a swan hopped onto the bank she flicked her wand, saying “Alterio!”

  BANG!!

  Passers by ducked immediately, while Alice squealed “It’s mine!”

  Pandora casually slipped her wand back in her jacket as people looked over curiously, Alice scooping the rabbit up and cuddling him.

  “Can I keep him? Oh Pandora, let me keep him!”

  “Ask your Dad, not me,” said Pandora through gritted teeth: people were beginning to stare at her. “Where did you find it, Alice?”

  “What? Oh- by the water,” she said, catching on. “Over there.”

  Looking at the rabbit as it twitched it’s purple nose, Pandora suddenly wanted one too. Alice sprinkled more bread a few minutes later, tricking the birds into coming back.

  “Alterio!”

  BANG!!

  Pandora smiled at the rabbit, jet black with blue eyes. “Gorgeous.”

  “I’m calling mine Barclays,” said Alice happily. “Because he’s blue.”

  “Barclays?” said Pandora, amused. “Shouldn’t it be Sky?”

  “Nope! You know that bank Barclays, it’s theme colour is blue, right?”

  “Oh, right.”

  Pandora cuddled her bunny, Alice saying “What about yours?”

  “I’m calling him Shadow,” Pandora said fondly, then she saw Miriam. “Uh oh. What’s Miriam going to say when she sees them?”

  “Tell her like it is,” said Alice determinedly, and Pandora laughed.

  “Miriam, I just turned two swans into baby bunnies.”

  “Did you really?” said Miriam, not really focusing on the rabbits in their arms. “We need to go to your house now, Pandora. Right now.”

  “Why?”

  “We have to tell Ted and Marlon Dreamer’s alive.”

  * * *

  “Six months ago? SIX FLIPPING MONTHS AGO?!!”

  “Dad, calm down!”

  “I cant believe it,” said Marlon weakly, staring at the screen. “Mum…”

  Dreamer Black laughed on screen, Agnes as well.

  “Mama, stop that.”

  “Now now Dreamer, don’t tell me to stop. Take a break.”

  “But Mama-!”

  The audience laughed, Agnes as well.

  “No buts, Dreamer Black- go and make me some coffee.”

  “We’ve got a phone call, Mama. Hello?”

  “Hello Dreamer, this is Mark.”

  “Hello Mark,” Dreamer said warmly. “How can I help you?”

  “I’ve been feeling really depressed lately, and-”

  “You fell out with your close friend?”

  “I- yes,” he said shyly. “Good riddance-”

  “No darling,” said Dreamer gently, Agnes scowling at her. “She’s your soul mate, Mark. It’s not me you should be talking to, it’s her.”

  “But-”

  “You both said some things you didn’t mean, but the truth is you need each other the same way I need my…” Dreamer paused, then she said “What you need to do, Mark, is hang up right now and call Sarah before it’s too late. The clock’s ticking. At eight o clock on the dot she’ll get a phone call from a previous lover- time isn’t on your side.”

  “Thank you so much, Dreamer.”

  “You’re welcome. Goodbye now.”

  “Bye.”

  “Isn’t she great?” said Alice happily as she cuddled Barclays.

  “Yeah she is,” said Marlon wistfully. “Can we call them up, Dad?”

  Ted didn’t know what to say. Yes, and talk to the woman he’d almost gone mad over he was so in love, or no and let the kids hate him? Instead he glanced at Alice, saying “Thank you very much, er…”

  “Alice,” she said, at Pandora’s side. “You’re welcome.”

  �
�I don’t know how much longer I could have-” Ted stopped abruptly, looking from Alice to Pandora and back. “Friends, Pandora?”

  “I met her at the clinic,” said Pandora shyly, and Marlon cheered.

  “Everything’s going from good to brilliant!”

  Alice blushed, saying “I hope I can see Pandora again.”

  “Of course you can,” said Ted warmly. “Pandora?”

  “We had fun today,” started Pandora, “And I’m glad I met Alice, but-”

  “But?” said Marlon, heat rising. “But? ‘Dora, she just gave us the key! Now we know Mum’s alive, ok? What more you do want?”

  “She might not like me after a while,” said Pandora flatly, as if Alice wasn’t even in the room. “You cant say she will.”

  “You cant say she wont,” Marlon shot back. “Hermit.”

  “Camel mouth.”

  “Enough,” said Ted sharply, as Marlon opened his mouth. “Alice?”

  “I- I really like Pandora,” stammered Alice. “She gave me Barclays.”

  “She did?” said Ted, eyes narrowing. He knew what that meant.

  Pandora hugged Shadow fiercely, stepping away from him.

  “So I cast a spell. So what?”