'This is Miss Constance Hardbroom. She will be the new potions mistress in the new school year. She'll be observing lessons and deciding on the ingredients for classes.'

The current staff at Cackles examined the new recruit carefully. They saw an efficient looking young woman with dark eyes and hair twisted into a severe bun. Very tall and rigid. She was fresh out of teacher's training college and didn't look like much fun. But they trusted Ada's judgment so they watched and waited.

As they suspected, Constance was not the life and soul of the party. Ada could gently bring her out of her shell if needed. But she rewarded them with a sharp talent for potions, an organised and frugal mind when it came to the supplies and powers some of them had never seen before. Miss Swoop the P.E. teacher. Although slightly scared of Constance, she marvelled at the disappearing method she used. It certainly kept the students in their place.

'In and out of thin air, it's indescribable. You don't even know if she's there or not. Incredible.'

Ada said nothing at that, knowing that Broomhead had taught her this privileged trick.

'Where did you find her, Ada?'

The headmistress sipped her tea.

'I met her at the conference. After the food poisoning disaster we struck up an acquaintance. I thought she would be a good fit for the position.'

'Marvellous' said Miss Swoop cheerfully. Ada smiled carefully.

'I think so.'

Footsteps sounded and they turned round as the woman in question walked through the door. Ada patted the chair next to her and Constance settled around the table. She took her tea bitter and black, ate mostly plain but nourishing soup and bread and occasionally nibbled a custard cream. Weekends she indulged in a cup of cocoa. She liked her tower room, the bats that came with it and Morgana liked the bed, the kitchen and the grounds in equal measure. Miss Swoop had given her the tour of Mistletoe Wood and the river and she spotted a lot of plants and herbs that could be put to good use. Ada made sure that a supply of biscuits, cocoa and bath salts were readily available in the staff cupboard and invited Constance to partake as often as she wanted.

'How are you getting on?'

'Very well headmistress. I've sorted out the supplies for the next school year, investigated the unlabelled bottles and organised the shelves.'

Ada nodded her appreciation.

'How about I start you on observations? See how things are done by Miss Bindweed first and then see how you can incorporate your own teaching methods when you take over. She'll give you a good grounding on how to handle the class.'

It was delightful to see the young woman unfurl and develop as the weeks went by. She stood straighter, her voice became stronger and her nerves became steadier. She could certainly be argumentative and didn't always endear herself to other members of staff at times. She certainly had views on P.E., summer uniforms and studying schedules. Ada clashed good naturedly with her over a couple of things but all in all, Miss Hardbroom had settled in well.

'Ada?'

Constance only called her by her first name in private.

'I've made some cocoa. Will you join me?'

Ada smiled. A weekly ration of indulgence had made Constance more confident.

'I can never miss up an opportunity for cocoa.'

They moved the chairs by the window and stared out into the night. The stars seemed brighter this week. Constance felt the peace settle around her.

'The silence is so soothing' Ada murmured.

Constance softly assented.

'My favourite moments are the quietest. It centres me.'

She explained how rising with the dawn was such a sacred way to start the day. Only the birds for company. The dew that clung to her skirts as she gathered herbs or just sat drinking her morning tea. The pastel fire that beamed across the sky, striking warmth into her heart. No matter the weather, the morning air always rejuvenated her. She needed her own space and slow silence in the morning and she had an endless supply of it at the castle. Over the weeks she could feel herself slowly relaxing and her confidence growing. This was how she was supposed to be, she felt, if Broomhead hadn't laid her hands on her.

'Do you ever sleep?'

'Of course. I don't need much sleep. Four hours usually.'

'Four hours!'

Ada was scandalised. She knew that Constance was extraordinary but she hadn't thought anyone could be so efficient and exist on so little sleep.

'I sleep six hours on the weekend' said Constance with a frown. She'd never really thought that was odd.

'You must tell me if you do feel like you need more sleep.'

Constance nodded. She felt it unlikely but was touched by Ada's insistence.

'The footsteps and the clanging and the voices can be deafening. I just need some silence on and off throughout the day. I love the dusk but during the week there's no chance to enjoy it. I searched for some peace while I was at college but there was often too much going on to find it.'

Ada relaxed and listened in admiration the young woman had for time and seasons. The phases of the moon, the soft steal of the dusk, stealthily approaching like her familiar. The inky calm of the hours approaching midnight. Magnificent midsummer. Blazing sunsets, those glorious sky flames. Misty cold autumn mornings, sweet fresh spring dawns, the love for nature seeped into her soul and soaked into her bones. Ada appreciated that.

'I'm so glad you love the location of the castle. I know I can't imagine living anywhere else now.'

She didn't ask about personal circumstances. Constance had recently disclosed the information that her parents had died a while ago. Broomhead had taken her on as her ward from that point on. But from the lack of letters she received, it was clear that Miss Hardbroom had no friends. Isolation had done that to her.

'Pentangles school is nearby and I see Phillipa Pentangle every so often. Next weekend I'll invite her over and she can teach you chess. I'm not very good at it, she always beats me. I think you'll be much better at it.'

Constance was bewildered.

'Oh. That sounds…interesting.'

Ada was determined to give her a chance at socialisation.

'By the end of the year, you'd win a game, I'm sure of it.'

'Well, if you think it's constructive.'

'I think you'll enjoy learning how to play chess and enjoy the company' said Ada firmly.

Constance felt a warmth steal over her at the thought of being included.

'Could you pour me a top up?'

When she passed the cup over, she let her hand linger on Ada's. It felt like she was on fire. Her fingers were trembling. She'd never done that before. For a long second, the world stood still. Constance felt the weight of those clear blue eyes on her and knew there was no point of return. She leaned over and pressed her lips on the waiting woman. Ada brought her hand up to caress her cheek and for a long while, the stars were forgotten.

Constance felt like she should apologise for overstepping but Ada stopped her.

'Don't. Please. I'd hate to think you regretted it.'

She tried again.

'I'm sorry.'

'I'm not. I just didn't expect it so soon.'

Constance explained that this wasn't normal behaviour for her but Ada wasn't going to let her feel disgraced.

'You don't need to apologise for it. You're a grown woman, you decide what you want.'

'I want this. With you.'

'Then you can have this with me.'

Ada found the other woman's smile of relief, enchanting. Constance Hardbroom felt like she had found her place.