Miss Crotchet stared at the offending substance. It bubbled innocently back at her. She wasn't sure how to make it work. She'd cleared everything out but that.

'Miss Hardbroom. Can you come and help with me with a little food technology please?'

Constance swept over with a frown.

'I'm sure Mrs Tapioca can help with that.'

'Yes, but can she put it into a pizza?'

Constance frowned at the mixture.

'What. Is. That?'

'Yak's milk' said Lavinia despondently. She received a suspicious glance.

'Well Davina is coming back soon and unless she drinks it straight away, it'll go to waste.'

Nobody at Cackle's Academy were fond of wasting ingredients. Constance did have the uncharitable thought of using it to kill the weeds but that would be unfair on the weeds.

'We could ask Amelia if it is the sort of thing you can make into cheese.'

Miss Cackle strode over, took one look at it and shook her head.

'Not suitable for cheese. We could magic cheese it I suppose but magic food is nowhere near as satisfying as real food.'

Lavinia dipped a spoon in and stirred.

'Perhaps we can throw a few flowers in there, make it look pretty? Ooooh how about a milkshake? There must be something I can flavour this with.'

The others nodded their approval and Constance helped her hunt for something that would pass muster.

'She normally drinks this stuff neat' she muttered. 'I can never tell when it's off, it smells just the same.'

Lavinia whipped up a decent looking vanilla and nutmeg milkshake, decorated with dandelions and pansies. Constance's idea. The autumn term was almost upon them and Miss Bat was due back at any time.

She arrived in a flurry of whirling poncho and patchouli. Miss Hardbroom wrinkled her nose, left her to it. Miss Crotchet handed her the milkshake.

'A little refreshment after your travels' she said.

Miss Bat twittered her gratitude gratefully and sipped.

'Oh it is marvellous Lavinia, I don't know how you did it' she enthused. 'It tastes like sunshine and bonfire.' She took it to her favourite place to enjoy, little chirrups of delight emanating from within the stationary cupboard.

Lavinia shrugged. She had enjoyed making Davina happy but was mostly glad to get rid of the yak's milk.