Witch Is When Stuff Got Serious (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 11) by Adele Abbott Read Free Book Online Page B

tradition, but it was one that no one seemed to dare challenge. Until Magna Mondale.”
    “She’s the one the wand is named after?”
    “That’s right, it’s actually her wand. Magna emerged as the most powerful witch of her time, and probably of all time. Up until that point, there’d only ever been five levels. But she was so much more powerful than any other witch, that level six was created just for her.”
    “Why haven’t I heard about her before?”
    “If you’d been brought up in Candlefield, and had attended school here, you would have. It’s taught as part of the history of witchcraft. Even so, because it’s so long ago now it’s not something that many young people can relate to. One of the first things Magna did when she became the first level six witch, was to discard her wand. And, she encouraged all other witches to do the same. A few didn’t like the idea, and resisted. But over time, the wand was consigned to history.”
    “I see. So this wand—the one that’s gone missing—it doesn’t actually have any magical powers?”
    “No. None of them ever did. It’s purely a symbol. But it’s also a record of one of the most important stages in the history of Candlefield witches.”
    “Have the police been informed?”
    “No. Coral doesn’t want news of the theft to spread. She’s afraid that if the police are notified, the press will find out soon after, and then it will be all over Candlefield.”
    “But won’t people notice it’s missing?”
    “No, because they have a duplicate, which they use whenever the actual wand has to be taken away for cleaning. So, for the time being, they’ve put that in its place. But it’s only going to be a matter of time before someone realises.”

Chapter 7
    It was no good. I couldn’t justify keeping Jules on as my PA. The only experience she had was in packing sausages and black puddings. Times were hard, and I could barely make rent, so how could I pay her to sit at a desk looking pretty? It’s not as though she could even use a computer. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. I’d just have to tell her the truth—well, not the entire truth. I could hardly tell her that my cat had recruited her. I’d just say that setting her on had been a mistake, and I’d have to let her go.
    I felt bad about it, but with her experience in the food packing industry, I felt sure she’d get another job soon—maybe packing pickles? Winky wouldn’t be very pleased with me, but this was all his fault anyway.
    Even though I knew it was the right thing to do, I wasn’t looking forward to telling her. Poor little mite. She’d been so pleased to be starting a new career as a PA, and now I was going to burst her bubble.
    I gave myself a silent pep talk as I walked up the stairs to my offices.
    “Come on Jill, you’ve got to be strong! You’re a business woman. You can’t let sentiment rule your head.”
     
    I was going to do it first thing. There was no point in delaying. Jules would be upset and she might even cry, but it had to be done. I took a deep breath and walked in.
    “Morning, Jill!” She greeted me with a cheery smile.
    Oh bum! This wasn’t going to be easy.
    “Morning, Jules.” She looked so happy. “There’s something I need to—”
    “Jill, look, before you say anything, there’s something I have to tell you.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I have to resign, I’m afraid.”
    Do what?
    “Oh dear, and you were doing so well. Is the job too much for you? Are you going back to the black pudding factory?”
    “No, I would never go back there. I’ve actually had a better offer.”
    “A better offer? Doing what?”
    “To work as a receptionist.”
    “But you’ve only been here a few days.”
    “I know! Brilliant, isn’t it? I always thought that once I had my foot on the ladder, I’d have more opportunities, but I never dreamed it would happen so quickly.”
    “That’s great, I guess. Do you mind me asking where you’re going to