Another new chapter I hope it might clear somethings up. Or not.
Chapter 48
Later that night at dinner.
"I'm so glad you and Mr Blackburn could join us Miss Broomwell. Cecilia said patting Miss Broomwell's hand.
"As are we Mrs Hallow-Hardbroom,right Clive?" Clive's mouth was full so he just nodded and smiled. Cecilia smiled back.
"CC would you stop wiggling you are shaking the table." Conrad admonished.
"Sorry Papa I'm just a bit overexcited I guess."
"Well calm down before you upset something. Oh no too late! Turtlewell!"
"Yes sir?"
"CC has upset her milk could you mop it up please?"
"Yes sir and Miss CC as well? She seems a bit damp."
"Oh for wizards sake CC" Conrad's last nerve was now broken. "That is the last straw! CC take your dinner and go eat in the kitchen!"
"But Papa..." CC tried to plead but Conrad interrupted her.
"Constance-Cecilia you have a choice." CC looked hopeful. Her hopes however were quickly dashed. "You can either leave this table and finish your dinner in the kitchen or you can go to bed Now!" Conrad roared.
CC flinched and spilled her water glass. CC grabbed her plate and left the dining room and headed down the corridor toward the steps to the kitchen.
"Wise choice." Conrad called after her. "You may come back for pudding if you can behave yourself and calm down."
"Yes Papa." CC called back.
CC went down to the kitchen where she was greeted by Mrs Turtlewell. "Oh Miss CC were you sent from the table again?" asked Mrs Turtlewell with a sigh.
"Yes Mrs Turtlewell I upset my milk,my water, and Papa." CC sat down at the work table.
"Miss CC you are still a bit damp,would you please stand?" CC stood back up. Mrs Turtlewell tapped her head lightly with a wooden spoon wrapped in a dish towel. CC was now completely dry.
"Thank you Mrs Turtlewell." CC looked down at her plate, "um Mrs Turtlewell what about the water in my dinner?" Mrs Turtlewell looked at CC's plate and clucked her disapproval.
"I think I will just fix you a new plate dear."
"But Mrs Turtlewell won't that leave you short for your dinners?" CC did not want the Turtlewells to suffer because of her clumsiness.
"Now don't you worry I made more than enough."
"Alright" CC sighed.
"Now you tuck in dear,but please don't gulp. I won't let you miss having your pudding upstairs." Mrs Turtlewell chuckled.
CC swallowed "thank you Mrs Turtlewell. What are we having for pudding tonight anyway?"
"One of your very favourites. Apple pie with vanilla ice cream."
"Oh wow great we never have ice cream at Cackle's."
"Oh? Why not?"
"There is no electricity there and no magic is allowed 'below stairs' as Mrs Tapioca likes to say. So there is no way to keep it frozen."
"Ah I see, well you make sure to save plenty of room. I'll make sure Mr Turtlewell gives you and Miss Sybil generous portions." Mrs Turtlewell winked at CC. CC giggled and ate her dinner.
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Back upstairs Sybil was wishing that she could have gone with CC. The adults were boring her.
"Sybil? Sybil!" George snapped his fingers in front of Sybil's face.
"Daddy that is not very polite." Emmeline was a bit fed up with her father.
"I couldn't think of any other way to get Sybil's attention. Sorry Sybil,Conrad and everyone."
"That is quite alright George. What were you thinking about Sybil?" Sybil blushed at her aunt's question. Cecilia thought she knew but she covered it with something else. "Your new broomstick perhaps?"
"No Aunt Cecilia,I was actually thinking um,could I possibly go join CC in the kitchen?"
Conrad was surprised. Cecilia was not she could see how bored Sybil was. "Yes Sybil go on." Sybil picked up her plate.
"Thank you Aunt Cecilia. Excuse me." Sybil took her plate and left the dining room,she did not however go down to the kitchen right away.
"Um Aunt Cecilia?" asked Emmy looking at Berry and then at her aunt. "May Berry and I be excused as well?'
"Yes you two go ahead." Cecilia said laughing.
"Thank you. Come on Berry." Em picked up her dinner plate and Berry picked up hers and followed Em. They both laughed when they saw Sybil waiting for them. "How did you know we would follow you Sybil?"
"Oh come on I could see you two trying not to yawn. Could that conversation have been anymore boring?" The girls made their way down to the kitchen. "Hey CC we've come to join you."
CC looked up in surprise. "Don't tell me you three are in trouble as well?"
"No" Em said laughing just bored out of our minds.
"Why?"
"Because all that bunch were talking about were broomstick futures and other boring stuff." Em replied.
"Broomstick futures? What is that?" asked CC.
"You know stocks,bonds that sort of thing."
"Oh I see,yes that would be boring. So Emmy how come Uncle George is being so Uncle George about your shop?" CC asked taking another bite of her dinner.
Sybil,Em and Berry all laughed. Em answered "well CC you know how our parents are. They want everyone to go to University after College. Berry and I always knew that was not what we wanted. Not full time anyway. We do take some courses. But they all have to do with business. Probably why Ethel doesn't talk about us much."
"Ethel doesn't talk about you at all! When I told my friends about everybody they were shocked they thought Ethel was the oldest."
"Well she sort of is,with the middle group anyway. I think Ethel was born old!" Berry laughed.
"You're right Berry she was such a serious baby. It was really hard to get her to laugh. Remember those serious looks she would give you?" Berry nodded. "Anyway back to Daddy,part of the argument you overheard CC was just that Daddy found out who are other investors are."
"My parents?"
"Yes as well as The Blackburn family and Miss Broomwell. One of the reasons I want you to tell Miss Bat is she also may want to invest,as well as buy some wool!"
"What is the lowest investment you will take?"
"Why? Do you want to invest?" Em asked laughing not really meaning it.
CC's reply floored her. "Yes. I have several hundred pounds saved actually."
"CC you are only eight years old! Where did you get so much money?" Em asked dumbfounded.
"Well I always save my pocket money. I rarely need to buy anything. Both sets of grandparents are always giving the grandchildren money. So I had Mummy open a bank account for me. She told the tellers and the bank manager that I was responsible for my own account."
"So you get to deposit or remove money on your own and you don't need permission? What about your monthly statements?"
"Those are emailed to me. Amy is looking after that for me while I am at school. So how much may I invest?"
"Hold on CC you may have control over your money but Uncle Conrad would incinerate us if we took your money without his or Aunt Cecilia's knowledge. I really think if you want to invest in us you should discuss it with them first. But we are both flattered that you have so much confidence in our shop and us."
"Alright,but you still have not said how much."
"Get permission first then we will talk." Em's face had a stubborn closed look that CC knew all too well.
"Ok I'll ask before we leave. I don't think I had better ask when Uncle George is around. Maybe at bedtime would be best. Of course it all depends on Mummy and Papa's moods as well" CC mused.
"CC?" Sybil asked. "How do you get sweets and stuff if you never spend your money?"
"Well Mummy set up my sweets rations at Cackle's,I don't think it is coming out of my pocket money. I didn't think to ask. As for other stuff,well I don't need much I am only eight. Most of the time people either buy or give me things."
"So when you told your parents you had twenty pounds saved that was only a partial truth?"
"I suppose it could be construed that way. I had twenty pounds committed in my mind. Em did my nose have any hint of purple when I made that statement in the shop?"
"Not that I remember,how about you Berry?"
"No it looked completely normal to me too."
"Hmm that's interesting. That has never happened before. Even white lies cause a light purple tint. I think I need to research this a bit more." CC mused.
"How in the world would you do that without causing or getting into trouble?" asked Sybil.
"I'll find a way don't worry about it Sybil. And please keep it to yourself. Tell no one not even Clarice." CC gave Sybil a chilling look.
Sybil shivered it was worse than the 'Ethel' look. "I won't CC I promise in fact I Hallow Promise."
"Good" CC said returning to her normal cheery self. "Guess what we are having for pudding."
"Well there are pies cooling so I suppose pie?" answered Sybil.
"Not just any pie it is apple pie and we are also having ice cream."
"Ooh ice cream I've missed that a lot at Cackle's. I always noticed how the girls always wanted ice cream when they came home on break."
"I can't believe that Cackle's still does not have electricity,though I'm not sure you would get ice cream even if they did."
"Yeah I'm sure Aunt Constance disapproves of ice cream and Cosy's is off limits. Heck I can't even leave the school grounds without an adult,so I'll probably never get to Cosy's."
"So this is the first time you have left school grounds in a week?"
"Well sort of. Aunt Constance took me and Miss Cackle to a hill outside so I could show Miss Cackle what happens when I sing scales or sing solo. Oh and when I mind-walked."
"You know how to mind-walk?!" Em was really surprised.
"Yes but I'm not allowed to do it anymore without permission. I had to give The Hallow-Hardbroom Promise."
The three Hallow sisters all breathed in really fast. They all knew how serious The Hallow-Hardbroom Promise was.
"Oh wow CC that is really serious." replied Berry.
"Level Four serious." CC deadpanned.
"Level Four? I've never heard of Level Four before. How about you two?" Em asked her sisters. Both of them shook their heads no. Sybil looked close to tears.
"Don't cry Sybil it won't happen. Level Four is very rare. I think only 'THE ONE' can mete it out and since that is Papa..."
"Ok we get it CC. So have you had a chance to use any of your new presents yet?"
"How could I? You brought them with you tonight. That is why I got into trouble I was thinking about everything I want to do after dinner." CC said laughing and then getting serious. "I hope Mummy and Papa don't make me wait until I get back to Cackle's."
"Oh I don't think they will. They know how important this is to you CC. Most parents don't buy top of the line equipment for an eight year old either."
"True they know I'm a responsible girl." CC said crossing her eyes and waggling her tongue.
"Miss CC that is a very unattractive look for you." Mrs Turtlewell scolded. "I need you girls to finish up now I'm ready to have Mr Turtlewell serve the pie and ice cream."
"Yes Mrs Turtlewell." The girls all chorused,laughed and then quickly finished their dinners. Mrs Turtlewell had given them a 'no more nonsense' look. She hid a smile as she turned toward the sink.
"Mrs Turtlewell that dinner was wonderful. Do you want us to clear our plates?" asked Em politely.
"No Miss Emmeline just leave them there. Miss CC please come here." CC went over to Mrs Turtlewell. Mrs Turtlewell took a damp cloth and wiped CC's entire face. CC rolled her eyes.
"Mrs Turtlewell I could have wiped my own face!" CC sighed she was a bit embarrassed.
"Well then you should have little miss. Now scoot." Mrs Turtlewell gave CC a light smack on her bottom. CC laughed and scooted. Her cousins followed.
"Wow CC Mrs Turtlewell is just as strict as Miss Hardbroom." Sybil stated.
"Yes she is isn't she? I guess that is why I get along with Miss Hardbroom so well."
"Well she is your aunt as well CC." said Berry.
"Yes but she made it crystal clear from the beginning that being my aunt would not be an advantage at school. In fact she has come down harder and swifter on me than even Millie or Enid. They seem to be her favourite targets."
"Oh so you noticed that too?" asked Sybil.
"How could you not,she is always yelling at them and it is like she is just waiting to pounce on Millie all the time."
"That is HB all over. She always has her favourite pets and also at least one victim. Remember Miranda and Miriam Pennyroyal Berry?"
Berry nodded. "They were identical as well, really hard to tell apart. HB was merciless with them. She never broke them though. When their talents appeared she changed her tactics a bit. She was still really hard on them but it was with more respect than before."
"Oh? And what were their magical talents?" CC was very curious.
"Well Miranda is an amazing flyer but she also has a real knack for spells. Miriam is wonderful with potions and she can make incredibly life-like sculptures either from clay or stone. I heard she is working with wood now as well. I think she is working on animating her works at University. Wyrdsister wouldn't let her for some strange reason."
"I have absolutely no desire to go to Wyrdsister." CC stated flatly.
"You probably won't have to unless you want to. Hallow girls have no choice."
"No choice at all?"
"Nope. We have to do what Daddy says or else."
"Or else what?"
"No one has tested that part. Well except for us now,but we have not completely rebelled."
"No taking classes does seem to help your situation. Wait a minute Miranda and Miriam do they go by those names or could they possibly be Mandy and Mim Pennyroyal?"
"CC do you know them? Yes those are their nicknames."
"I don't know them personally,but I do know they each bought a cat from Miss Denham. Their Cackle cats both died of cat flu. I heard Miss Denham talking about it. They both paid cash. Em are Mandy and Mim 'good' witches?"
"As far as I know why?"
"No reason really just wondering." CC hoped her nose was not turning any shade of purple. She really needed to speak to her father about Mim. If Mim joined Susie things could become even more dire than they already were. "You guys go ahead of me. Em could you send Papa out here please?"
"Is there something wrong CC?"
"Not yet I just really need to speak with him right now." Em looked at CC and saw how anxious she was. She gave her a thumbs-up sign and went into the dining room. Conrad came out rather quickly.
He saw CC standing in the corridor and the look on her face gave him pause. "CC what is wrong?"
CC held up her index finger and said "Silence bubble CC with Papa please. Papa how much do you know about Miriam Pennyroyal?"
"Do you mean her artistic abilities or her magic?"
"Both."
"Well I know she is an amazing sculptress and some of her potions have been quite spectacular as well."
"Papa is she on 'our' side?"
"I think so I haven't really investigated. CC why are you asking?"
"Did you know she is trying to animate her sculptures?"
"What?! How do you know all of this?"
"She and her sister Mandy were in Em and Berry's class. We were talking about Aunt Constance and how she always seems to pick on certain students."
"Only the ones she thinks may have potential and are not doing their best."
"You knew she was doing that?"
"Oh yes Constance has always had high standards and CC I am 'THE ONE' of course I knew about Constance's methods."
"But you did not know that she had been offered the position of 'THE ONE' before you were."
"How did you find out about that? Were you eavesdropping again?" Conrad had a very dangerous look on his face.
CC rubbed her bottom. "Oh no Papa I remember what happened the last time." CC kept rubbing her backside. "No I figured it out myself and once again you just confirmed it." CC stopped rubbing her bum and smiled at her father.
"Your powers of deduction are getting stronger I see. Well CC thank you for your information. I will be sure to look into it tomorrow when we return you girls to Cackle's. Okay remove the bubble and lets go have our pie and ice cream." CC jumped up and Conrad caught her. CC planted a large kiss on her father's cheek. She snapped her fingers and they both reappeared.
Cecilia was standing in the corridor. "Oh there you two are. CC you won't be able to do that much longer." Cecilia knew all about the jump and catch game.
"I know Mummy that is why I do it as often as I can."
"Is everything alright?"
"For now Cecilia I'll fill you in later alright? I want my ice cream before it melts."
"Conrad you are as bad as the children." Cecilia hooked her arm through Conrad's and the Hallow-Hardbrooms all returned to the dining room.
