Free Novel Read

Witch Is When Everything Went Crazy Page 18


  “One colour should be enough.”

  I filled in the paperwork for my subscription, and left with my ball of everlasting wool. If this turned out to be what I thought it was, I might have a way to get Grandma out of my life, or at least out of Washbridge.

  “Did you see the scarf?” Mrs V asked, as soon as I walked back into the office.

  “Costa?”

  “Who?”

  “Never mind. Yes, it’s looking good. You should be proud.”

  She beamed.

  “Mrs V. Would you do me a favour? Can you knit me something using this wool?” I handed her the everlasting wool.

  “Is this from your grandmother’s shop?”

  “It is. It’s a new line.”

  “What would you like me to make for you?”

  “How about a scarf?”

  “Is this all the wool you have? I won’t get far on only one ball.”

  “Give it a try. Let me know how you get on.”

  I know, I know. Grandma is my flesh and blood, blah, blah, blah. But, she is also one colossal pain in the rear. What if someone, not me obviously, but someone were to let Daze know that a certain someone was using magic to sell so-called everlasting wool? Wouldn’t that certain someone be made to return to Candlefield for flaunting their magic in public? Purely hypothetically of course. Cue evil laugh.

  I’d spoken to Daze about The Dark One after Amber had been abducted. She’d suggested we meet to discuss what we could do. We’d agreed to keep the meeting low key; that’s why we’d arranged to meet at Cuppy C. It was the first time I’d seen Daze wearing her catsuit since the very first time we met in the same place. She looked great.

  Daze had commandeered the table in the far corner of the tea room, away from prying eyes and ears. Amber and Pearl were both behind the counter. Daze had asked them to give us some time alone. No one argued with Daze. Except me, apparently.

  “Doing what you’ve been doing up to now clearly isn’t working,” I said.

  Daze’s face flushed red. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m not some jobsworth cop who doesn’t give a damn.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated that no one seems to know anything, and no one seems to be doing anything about it.”

  “The police are a waste of time, so you can forget them. The sup sups have the powers to overcome TDO, but we have to find him or her first.”

  “Her?”

  “That’s the whole point. After all of these years, we still don’t know who he or she is. How are we meant to combat an enemy when we don’t have a clue who they are? That’s where you come in. We need someone who can identify TDO. We can take it from there.”

  “But if no one has managed to identify him so far, what makes you think I can?”

  “Apparently, TDO wants you dead. There has to be a reason for that. Maybe he is scared of you.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Find the reason why he wants you dead, and maybe you’ll find out who he or she is. What do you say?”

  “What do I have to lose?” I shrugged. “He wants me dead anyway, so at least this way I get to fight back.”

  “You can’t tell anyone what you’re doing.”

  “That’s okay. Maxine Jewell has already made it clear she doesn’t want me working on her patch—I’m used to working around the police.”

  “Not just the police. You can’t tell anyone. Not your grandma, aunt or the twins. No one. This is between you and me. Agreed?”

  “Agreed.”

  Daze was about to call the twins over when I took her arm. “Hold on a second. I may have a case for you—a witch using magic for personal gain in the human world.”

  “Give me the details.”

  “Just give me a moment; I need to make a quick phone call.”

  I walked over to the window, and called Mrs V.

  “It’s Jill. I wanted to check how you were getting on with the wool I left with you.”

  “Okay, dear, but you’ll have to get more if you want me to finish this scarf. I’ve run out.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I think I’d know.”

  “Yeah. Of course. Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

  Daze had her notebook in her hand. “Well?”

  “Cancel that. Looks like I got it wrong.” Somehow Grandma had got one over on me again. She must have known what I was up to. One day, I’d get my own back—you just see if I don’t.

  If there’s one thing I hated more than weddings, it was looking at photos of weddings. Amber and Pearl must have taken two zillion photos of Mum’s wedding. Not satisfied with those, they’d also got all of the ones that their fiancés had taken too. After Daze and I had finished the official TDO business, the twins had come over to join us. Since then, I’d been subjected to an hour of mind-blowing dullness.

  “Pink suits you,” Daze teased.

  “It wasn’t my choice,” I said. “I was ambushed.”

  The twins took it in turns to show a photo. I was on my second coffee—it was only the caffeine that was keeping me awake.

  “Who’s that?” Daze pointed to the photo on Amber’s phone.

  “That’s Jill’s boyfriend.”

  “His name is Drake, and he’s very hot,” Pearl said.

  “He isn’t my boyfriend. We’ve been out a couple of times, that’s all.”

  The twins grinned inanely at me.

  “What? We’re just friends.”

  Daze took my arm, and said, “Can I have a word?”

  Anything to get away from the twins.

  When we were out of earshot, she said in little more than a whisper, “I know Drake. I arrested him three years ago.”

  Oh bum!

  If you are enjoying The Witch P.I Series…

  Please take a few minutes to leave a review on Amazon. Reviews can be extremely helpful to readers who are considering whether or not to try a new book/series.

  If you have read the first book in the series (Witch Is When It All Began), it would be particularly helpful if you could leave the review against that book. Would-be readers generally view the first book when deciding if to embark on a series.

  Thank you.

  More mystery, magic and custard creams to be found in:

  Witch Is When Things Fell Apart

  (The Witch P.I. Series #4)

  For new release notifications, please sign up here:

  http:/AdeleAbbott.com/adele/new-releases/

  Web Site: http:www.AdeleAbbott.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AdeleAbbottAuthor

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25