The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star by Jill Murphy Read Free Book Online Page B

been racking her brains for a furtive way of bringing Star with her under the watchful eye of Miss Drill (who was, unfortunately, proving every bit as vigilant as Miss Hardbroom, despite the zany outfits), and Mildred breathed a sigh of relief that she would only be gone for the daytime hours – when Star was used to having his long sleep under her bed anyway.
    Miss Cackle and Miss Hardbroom sat in the staffroom with all the teachers on the night before their schools’ auditions.
    ‘I think that’s everything covered, Miss Cackle,’ said Miss Hardbroom, who had just read out their travel plans in minute detail, including the transport of costumes and scenery, plus the making of nearly two hundred packed lunches.
    ‘Do you think we might actually win?’ asked Miss Drill. ‘I’ve seen one of the rehearsals and I must say it did look quite
special
.’
    ‘I think we have an excellent chance,’ replied Miss Hardbroom. ‘My only worry is whether there might have been an
over-abundance
of broomstick ballets during the previous nine days. If so, the judges might be a little bored by yet another ballet routine. I must say, I rather wish we weren’t the very last act of all.’
     

     
    ‘Oh, I don’t know, Miss Hardbroom,’ said Miss Cackle. ‘Surely it’s worse to be at the beginning, nearly two weeks earlier! The judges are much more likely to remember the last act than the first one!’
    ‘And the judges
are
all getting on for a hundred years old,’ laughed Miss Mould. ‘So it’s better to be fresh in their memories, I’d say!’
    ‘Now, now, Miss Mould!’ scolded Miss Cackle, a twinkle in her eye. ‘We’re
none
of us getting any younger and I’m sure that the combined brains of the three most honoured sorcerers in the country are quite adequate to judge a talent competition!’
    ‘Well, if you don’t mind,’ announced Miss Hardbroom, ‘I’m off to bed, as there will be a great deal to contend with tomorrow morning. One last thing, Miss Mould, could you assist me with taking the costumes down to the front hall, ready for Form Five to tie on to their broomsticks in the morning? I shall be carrying the rolled-up backdrop underneath my own broom for the journey, as it really
is
rather unwieldy and we don’t want any accidents before we get there! All pupils to be assembled in the playground by ten o’clock sharp, ready for take-off. Well, goodnight, everyone.’
    ‘Goodnight, Miss Hardbroom,’ called Miss Cackle as Miss Hardbroom swept out of the door. She was going to say ‘pleasant dreams’, but somehow she couldn’t imagine her deputy dreaming of anything but school rules and timetables, so there didn’t seem much point.
     

     
    The following morning Mildred was up and dressed even earlier than usual, ready to zoom round the corridors, take Star for his walk and hurry back to hide him under the bed before the journey. She put down a bowl of catfood for Tabby, left the door ajar so he could go for his morning wander, stuffed Star into the holdall and set off down the corridor.
    She was now an expert Lantern Monitor, taking her duties extremely seriously. She had changed all the candles the day before and polished the glass so that there was no maintenance to do that morning and she was making very good time. She soon reached the entrance hall and flew up to douse the candle in the large lantern which hung above the main doors leading to the playground.
    It was a cheerful, sunny morning, most unusual for the academy. Mildred glanced around at the rays slanting in through the windows and noticed the rail with the four ballet costumes, awaiting broom-transport. Star was already wriggling about in the bag, keen to have his breakfast on the grass and a run about through the trees.
    ‘Stop it!’ giggled Mildred. ‘You’ll have me off the broom!’
    ‘Talking to yourself now, are you, Mildred Hubble?’ said a sharp voice right behind her.
    Mildred jumped and almost overbalanced as she was