Chapter 33
Within seconds, Constance found herself standing in another woodland. This one was far humbler and more unassuming than Celeste's family estate. They were standing on a well-trodden and muddy path which wound between the trees, There were banks of bluebells on either side and just ahead Constance could see a slightly crooked and well-used stile, set into a moss-covered dry stone wall. Beyond the stile, Constance could see the end of the treeline and beyond it, the grey tower of a castle.
"There it is" Roberta said, pointing to the building in the distance "Cackle's Academy"
The two began to walk along the path side by side, weaving slightly to keep out of the worst of the mud. As they walked, Roberta began to explain.
"Miss Cackle, who runs the school, is my mum's cousin. She offered me a trial position as a teacher, ready for me to take up once I had finished my gap year. When we heard from Gwendoline, I got in touch with Miss Cackle explaining your situation and asking if she would take you instead. Miss Cackle doesn't know everything, just enough to know that it is urgent that you find somewhere to be, and she has agreed to putting protection spells around the castle for the time being. The only bit I haven't sorted is how I am going to explain to my mum that I have given my job away! She'll be furious of course, but once I have had the chance to explain things properly, I am sure she will come round."
"Thank you" Constance was deeply touched by everything her friends had done for her "But I can't take your job from you"
"Don't mention it" Roberta shrugged off her thanks amicably "and don't worry at all. I think both me and Cackle's have had a lucky escape. I am pretty sure I would make a terrible teacher. And by all accounts, you are a natural. So, everyone wins this way!"
Before long they were crossing the cobbled courtyard, and ringing the bell of the dark, arched wooden doorway to Cackle's Academy. The door was opened by a smallish witch, with greying hair cut into a rather angular chin length style and a pair of dark winged glasses perched on top of her head. She smiled warmly as she greeted them.
"Hello Roberta. And this must be Constance Hardbroom. I am Amelia Cackle, headmistress here at Cackle's Academy. Come in, please"
She led them through the arched doorway into the school entrance hall. The corridors branched off in either direction, banking an arch lined quadrangle in the centre and a dark, heavy banistered staircase leading up form the entrance hall to the second floor. She leads them down one of the corridors, making friendly conversation about the school until they come to a stop at a dark wooden door.
"Now, I have a few tasks for you Constance. A few spell and potion demonstrations – all perfectly straightforward of course. And then I have a small group of the girls who I would like you did deliver a short lesson to, as I understand you have taught before. Roberta" Miss Cackle turned towards her and indicated the door in front of them "perhaps you would like to wait here in the staff room for us until we are done."
Leaving her friend, Constance followed Miss Cackle to a classroom in the next corridor where she spent several hours completing the various interview tasks. Miss Cackle was always keen to give a young witch a chance of a trainee position, but she had learnt from many years of experience that if they did not have a certain level of magical proficiency as well as at least some instinctive ability to hold a classes attention, then they were unlikely to get very far. Miss Cackle knew immediately that she had never interviewed a witch of Constance Hardbroom's skill before. She had several extremely experienced and capable witches on her staff, and, like any school, they had seen their fair share of talented pupils over the years, but none of them came close to Constance Hardbroom. Magic seemed to flow from her like water and Miss Cackle could feel her power in room around them. On magical ability alone, she would have taken Constance after the first spell, but Miss Cackle was concerned. Would a young witch with such advanced magic be able to teach basic spells and potions to schoolgirls? Her worry turned out to be unfounded. Constance turned out to be a natural teacher. The potion she chose to make in her lesson was a little more advanced than anything Miss Cackle would have attempted with the second years, but the small group of girls hung on the young witch's every word and instruction. Miss Cackle could feel their sense of pride and achievement when they managed to successfully demonstrate the potion to her at the end of the lesson. Just as importantly, Miss Cackle could see the pleasure Constance gained from sharing her knowledge and so she offered Constance the position there and then.
They made their way back to the staff room companionably. Miss Cackle gently attempting to enquire about Constance's personal circumstances while Constance politely but aloofly resisted revealing anything of real consequence. Miss Cackle quietly took in the tall young woman walking beside her. Not yet twenty-one, she was remarkably controlled and capable yet somehow also unbelievably fragile. When they arrived at the staff room Constance regaled Roberta with her good news and the three women sat and drank a cup of tea together before Roberta got to her feet and signalled that she should be leaving. Promising to pass on Miss Cackle's best wishes to her mother, Roberta enveloped Constance in one final hug.
"You'll be ok here Con" she whispered in her friend's ear "You just need to stay safe, until things blow over. It doesn't have to be forever"
Once Roberta had disappeared, Miss Cackle also excused herself to see to some pressing tasks. She told Constance to make herself comfortable in the staff room and that she would introduce her to the staff shortly, once the school day was over. Constance settled herself into a winged armchair in front of the fireplace. The small and cluttered staff room was peaceful. With the gentle ticking of the clock on the mantlepiece and the warmth of the fire on her outstretched legs, Constance soon drifted into an exhausted sleep.
Constance came round to the sound of voices, and without opening her eyes she realised the room is now full of the school staff who were discussing her in slightly hushed voices.
"I can feel the power coming off the girl from here, Amelia!" an older witch with a sharp toned voice said "I mean, we use the phrase storm in a teacup, this girl isn't just a storm. She is a tornado. What on earth is a witch of this power doing here at Cackles, and what are we going to do with her? This is an ordinary school for girls of all magical ability. How is she going to fare teaching them basic potions?"
"I have watched her doing just that, this afternoon" Constance recognised Miss Cackle's firm tones "She is a natural teacher, she clearly finds it rewarding to help others learn and she will push the girls to achieve more than they think they are capable of"
"Well" the third witch to speak had a lyrical tone to her voice laced with a slight hint of eccentricity "Cackle's has a reputation of getting the best out of every girl and that is what I see in front of me. A lost and vulnerable young woman that needs our help. If Miss Cackle says she needs us then I, for one, will do everything I can to help her"
"Thank you, Miss Bat," Miss Cackle replied, "And what about the rest of you?"
There was a general murmur of assent from the remaining staff and Constance decided now would probably be a prudent time to open her eyes.
A little while later, Constance was sat on her bed stroking Morgana who was curled up on her lap. Miss Cackle had shown her to her new room and told her to get some rest ready to be shown around the school in the morning. The room was sparse but comfortable, she had unpacked her few belongings and been surprised to find the wardrobe furnished with several smart, plain black dresses – presumably, Roberta's doing.
She was just about to get into bed when she heard a gentle and slightly erratic tapping at her door. She opened it to reveal Miss Bat, the school's Chanting teacher, who made way into the room without waiting for any further invitation.
"I brought you some dandelion tea" Miss Bat said, thrusting a cup of hot, vivid green liquid into Constance's hands "Very good for settling the mind."
Constance raised the warm liquid to her lips and tried to prevent the disgust showing on her face when she tasted it.
"Thank you" she replied placing the cup down on the desk beside her "I'll just leave it to cool"
Miss Bat tilted her head to one side, revealing a conductor's baton stuck haphazardly into the wildly coiled bun in her hair, and fixed Constance with a curious stare.
"You think you are of no consequence to anyone" she said. "But you mustn't. Every girl matters to us here at Cackles"
And with that she turned in a swirl of black lace shawl and left. Constance could hear her humming absent-mindedly as she made her way down the corridor. Roberta had said she didn't need to be at Cackle's forever, Constance thought as she closed the door, but perhaps even forever wouldn't be so bad.