Chapter 8
"...So, he offered me a job helping him in his shop, Mrs. Jenkins! Isn't that great?" Olivia chattered happily as she stirred the soup that cooked over the fire.
"Toby was always quite the hard worker... And he looks out for those he cares for..." Mrs. Jenkins replied from her rocking chair across the room. "How so?" Olivia asked, interested in the subject of her mysterious new employer and former savior.
"That boy never had a stable home... Was an orphan when he was a young child..." Mrs. Jenkins explained as she rocked back and forth, remembering details about him. "Then he came to be in a group home- horrible place... Had all of those children working terrible jobs for horrid people, all to make an extra penny. Toby came under employment from some Italian man who was a barber... No idea what ever happened to him though- he just up and dissappeared one day. Then that's when he met Mrs. Lovette..."
"That the name he mentioned... She must have been the owner of that building he's refurbishing..." Olivia said, coming over to sit in front of her friend. "Yes... She owned that building at one point. She made the worst pies in London- I know, I had a couple of her harvest pies; foulest thing I ever ate. But she was a kind enough woman- odd, but kind. He met her the day his Italian master disappeared, and started to stay with her. He even worked for her when her business got better."
"But I thought you said her pies were disgusting...?" Olivia asked, getting a little confused.
"Oh, believe me child, they were. But there was a breif period where they were very popular- everyone, save for myself of course, went to Mrs. Lovette's to try her meat pies..."
"But if she was so popular, why is her shop so weathered and empty today?"
Mrs. Jenkins grew silent, and just stared into her memory. Shadows appeared on her face from where her brows knitted at the memory. "It doesn't matter right now..." She said finally, "You'll be working there soon enough- and I know you'll learn all about the history of that place..." Slowly, she started to rise from her chair. Olivia jumped up to help her stand steadily on her feet. "Thank you, child..." She said kindly. "Now, come with me... I have something for you..." Olivia followed Mrs. Jenkins obediently to the corner of the kitchen area where she kept all of her magickal herbs, tools, and her family's book of spells. She opened the cabinet that held all of their magickal items and pulled out the large leather bound book that had been passed down in her family for at least seven generations, and a dark handled, double bladed knife.
"Olivia, you have been learning the ways of the craft for five years now... And you have shown amazing growth in the old ways... You are a very good student, and an equally good witch," Mrs. Jenkins said, a huge, proud smile on her wrinkled face. Olivia couldn't help but feel proud that Mrs. Jenkins saw her in such a good light. She smiled at her mentor, unsure of what to say to her compliments.
"You were initiated as a witch last winter... And I know you will lead a very blessed life if you follow your heart, no matter where it may take you- your powers and prowess are the strongest I have yet seen- you remind me of myself when I was your age, actually... But enough of this idel chit chat- you'll get a big head if I keep paying you praises!" She said with a laugh. "As a late initiation gift, and a token of my love for you as a student, friend, and serogate child, I want you to have these..." She then hefted the large book into Olivia's arms, and pressed the handle of the knife into one of her hands.
Olivia looked at Mrs. Jenkin's with shock. "Mrs. Jenkins... I can't take this... These are your two greatest treasures! Your great grandmother's athame and your family's Book of Shadows! I... I can't accept this...!"
"Olivia, I don't want to hear another word of it; I've made up my mind," Mrs. Jenkins said shortly. "You are a new witch! You'll have much more of a use for them than I will. And don't even think about trying to give them back, or I will turn you into a frog," Mrs. Jenkins said as she made her way past Olivia and to her room. All Olivia could do was smile and clutch her master's treasures; no, her treasures to her chest. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Jenkins..."
The old woman stopped on her way to her room and smiled at her protege, another proud smile glowing on her face, "No... Thank you, Olivia... Blessed be..."