The Power of Poppy Pendle by Natasha Lowe Read Free Book Online

decorating anymore, although using a piping bag requires just as much skill as a wand, if you ask me.” Poppy sighed and added, “There’s an interesting technique for buttercream frosting I’d like to try.”
    “Come to my house,” Charlie suggested. “You can make it there if you like, and I’d love my mum and dad to meet you.”
    “Gosh, Charlie, can I?” Poppy spun round to face her friend, almost dropping the lemon bars. “That would be so great. Are you sure?”
    “Of course I’m sure. It would be fun.”
    “Oh, Charlie, thank you, thank you so much, but don’t tell them I’m magic,” Poppy begged. “It always causes problems.”

Chapter Seven
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    Time to Go
    I T WAS NOT THAT DIFFICULT FOR Poppy TO PERSUADE HER MOTHER TO LET her go to tea at Charlie’s house. For one thing, Poppy didn’t mention the fact that Charlie was not a Ruthersfield girl. “I’m so glad you’re finally making friends,” Edith Pendle said happily. “Is she on the basketball team?”
    “Ah, no, she’s not exactly sporty.”
    “Is she in any of your classes?”
    “She’s the same age as me,” Poppy said truthfully.
    “I wonder if she’s the first witch in their family? Do you know?”
    “Mum, please.” Poppy gave her mother an imploring look. “We don’t talk about that kind of stuff.”
    “Well, you must invite Charlie back to our house next week,” Mrs. Pendle insisted. “We can show her our family tree.”

    Poppy had no intention of bringing Charlie anywhere near her parents, especially not after meeting Charlie’s mum and dad. They didn’t hover over the girls or badger them with questions about homework, and no one minded when Poppy sprawled on the floor next to Charlie, flipping through Mrs. Monroe’s cookbooks. Afterward Mrs. Monroe even let them practice making chocolate buttercream in the kitchen. Then the whole family, including Charlie’s mum and dad, spooned frosting straight out of the pan. This was something Poppy couldn’t imagine doing with her own parents. Whenever she took out a mixing bowl at home, her mother’s lips got all pursed. At Charlie’s, Poppy felt completely happy, just like a normal girl.

    “Please do come again,” Charlie’s mum said as Poppy reluctantly got ready to leave. “It’s been a real pleasure meeting you, and Charlie was right. You’re a wonderful baker. Your parents must be very proud.”
    “Oh, they are,” Poppy agreed glumly, putting on her blazer. “They think I’m amazing.”
    At that precise moment the doorbell rang, and Poppy could see her mother’s eager face peering through the glass panel. “Mum, what are you doing here?” Poppy said nervously as soon as the door opened. “I told you I’d walk home.”
    “I wanted to meet your friend’s parents,” Mrs. Pendle said, smiling so hard she looked uncomfortable. “These silly girls,” she fussed. “Imagine walking when you can ride a broomstick.” Charlie’s mum seemed puzzled, and Mrs. Pendle added, “Poppy’s top in her class at flying, you know.”
    “Flying?” Mrs. Monroe looked even more confused, and then her face cleared. “Oh, Poppy must go to Ruthersfield!” she exclaimed. “I had no idea, how exciting.”
    “And doesn’t your daughter attend the academy?” Mrs. Pendle said.
    “Heavens, no. We don’t have enough magic in this family to bend a teaspoon!”
    “Really!” Edith Pendle’s lips tightened as she ushered Poppy outside, and she didn’t speak again until they were in the car, driving home.
    “What have you got all over you?” Edith finally snapped, glancing at Poppy in the rearview mirror. “You’re covered in something sticky.”
    “Chocolate,” Poppy admitted, not mentioning that it was from a batch of frosting she had been allowed to make.
    “Honestly!” Mrs. Pendle gave a succession of heavy sighs. “I’ll have to give that a good soaking