Here is my second Chapter, it's quite short but I didn't feel like writing much. Hooray for silversilk who submitted my first (and only review). Please could people review? Pleeease?
Disclaimer thingy-me-bob: I don't own any of the Chrestomanci characters, places or setting, likewise any other story/film/written word. Or TV programme. Is that all? I hope so. Don't sue me.
Chapter Two-An unexpected arrival
The day for Charles' arrival was approaching. It had been two weeks since Janet had detected a nine-lifed enchanter, and everyone was getting nervous. Chrestomanci had hired a tutor, a man called Thomas Saunders, son of the late Michael Saunders, who had been tutor to Chrestomanci when he was young. Thomas was a genial man, who had laughing eyes, and a round happy face. He had floppy brown hair that constantly fell in front of his eyes. He was tall, although next to Chrestomanci he almost appeared short, he was a well-read man, but constantly joked and laughed, and didn't seem like a teacher at all. It was Thomas who Chrestomanci sent to Haven to break the news to Charles, and his family. When he returned he brought both good news and bad.
"The good news is," he told the assembled occupants of Chrestomanci Castle at dinner that evening, "is that Charles will be coming here on the 29th of February. The bad news is I don't know what he looks like." He held up a hand to stop the outburst of astonished voices. "I spoke to the boy's parents, as he himself was at school. It was a bit difficult to understand what they were saying, as they refer to each as it, and for some reason they have developed incredibly thick Irish accents. However his parents told me that they were glad I had arrived as they didn't know what to do with it, I mean him. In Haven children start working at 14, and his parents said that they couldn't find a job anywhere."
So the residents of the Castle began to prepare for the arrival of the new Chrestomanci. Janet and Julia helped the housekeeper, Mrs Short with picking out and decorating a bedroom for him. Roger, with great enthusiasam, bought a whole load of toys and books that would interest a growing boy. The tree house in the garden was repaired and reinforced with weathering spells, and furnished with unbreakable chairs and table. At last the big day arrived. Chrestomanci sent Thomas, who was quickly becoming Chrestomanci's secretary and personal slave, to the train station. The rest of the Castle waited nervously, the servants were sent to the kitchen to prepare a special tea, and the butler waited stiffly in the hall. Chrestomanci, Julia, Janet, Roger and Tonino, who had delayed his departure so he could meet the new Chrestomanci, all waited in the parlour.
Eventually, after half an hour or so, although it seemed like an age to those waiting in the castle, there was a ring from the front hall. They all leaped up as those to rush forwards, but composed themselves and sat back down demurely.
Soon after they heard hurrying footsteps coming towards them from down the hall, then Thomas burst in, breathless and flushed. Chrestomanci stood up, angrily.
"What ever is wrong with you?" he demanded, "where is the child?"
"In the front hall," panted Thomas, "but I'm sure there must have been some terrible mix up!"
"What do you mean?" snapped Chrestomanci urgently. By now the others were all standing too, looking at Thomas with a mixture of worry and confusion.
"You'd better see for yourself." Thomas answered, walking back down the corridor to the front hall, with Chrestomanci right on his heels, the others hurrying behind them. When they reached the entrance into the hall Thomas stopped dead, Chrestomanci almost tripped over him but managed to stay upright. He stepped around from Thomas and stared at the small child in the middle of the room. The poor child hadn't noticed them yet, and was peering nervously around. There was nothing out of the ordinary at all, and it took Chrestomanci a moment to realise what was wrong. Charles Chant was a girl.