The Magykal Papers (15 page)

J
ENNA
H
EAP

U
NTIL SHE WAS TEN YEARS OLD
, Jenna Heap thought she was the daughter of Sarah and Silas Heap. She lived with her six older brothers in a crowded, chaotic and happy room in the Ramblings. Jenna slept in a cupboard with its very own window that looked out over the river, which she loved.

For ten years Jenna lived a happy and secure life with her adoptive family, never dreaming that on her tenth birthday everything would change. That was the day Marcia Overstrand, ExtraOrdinary Wizard, came knocking on the door and changed Jenna’s life forever. That was the day Jenna discovered that she was not a Heap but the Princess—and that there was an Assassin out to kill her.

Suddenly, Jenna was on the run for her life. But the Heaps stayed with her, and with the help of Marcia Overstrand and the Dragon Boat, Jenna overcame all the
Darke
forces that were against her.

On her return to the Castle, Jenna moved into the Palace with Sarah and Silas Heap and began to get used to the idea that one day, when the Time was Right, she would be Queen—although she is not sure whether she really ever wants the Time to be Right.

Jenna has a tutor for what she calls “Princess Stuff” and she also goes to school in the mornings at Snake Slipway Middle School. Jenna’s tutor encourages her to practice talking like a Queen. Jenna has put this to good use at the Manuscriptorium—and enjoyed the experience.

Jenna spends as much time as she can with her adoptive brother Septimus. Whether they are flying on Spit Fyre—Jenna is Navigator—or just wandering through the Palace talking, there is no one Jenna would rather be with.

Jenna's Palace Diary

Private.

Keep Out.

Princesses Only!

MONDAY

Today Mum and Dad and I moved into the Palace. It’s
huge
, and it is stuffed full of ghosts! Everywhere I go, especially at night, ghosts Appear and introduce themselves to me. They all tell me how pleased they are to have a real Princess here once again—so I suppose I must be a real Princess.

There is a really lovely ghost called Sir Hereward and he is on guard just outside my bedroom door. I have the bedroom that all Crown Princesses (that is what I am!) have had. I am glad Sir Hereward is there, as it is a little bit creepy. But the room is very beautiful and I suppose I shall get used to it—especially as it used to be my mother’s bedroom when she was young. I like to think of her here when she was the same age as I am.

TUESDAY

Bo came over today and we went exploring in the attic. I met a ghost of a governess; her name is Mary. She kept calling me Esmeralda and telling me to be careful, which was a little spooky. I am glad Bo was there, even though she didn’t see the ghost. Mum and Dad are really happy. They still can’t quite believe that Septimus has come back. Mum went to the Wizard Tower to try to see him, but he was busy today. She’s going to try again tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY

Mum had an argument with the Cook today. The Cook is very bossy and won’t let Mum into “her” kitchen. Mum misses cooking, but the Cook says it is her job to cook the food and Mum’s job to eat it—and we
have
to eat in the huge Palace dining room. Yesterday Mum sat at one end of the table—which is at least thirty feet long—and Dad sat at the other end and they couldn’t even hear what each other was saying. So then they started doing signs, which they thought was really funny. Personally I thought it was silly.

THURSDAY

Nicko spent all day at the boatyard and didn’t come back until really late. Nik told me that Jannit has offered him an Apprenticeship and he is going to tell Mum tomorrow. It will mean he has to live at the yard and I don’t think Mum will be very happy. And I will miss him; we spent so much time together at Aunt Zelda’s.

FRIDAY

I saw Boy 412—oops, Septimus—today! It was his day off so, as I haven’t gone back to school yet, I was allowed to go to the Wizard Tower and meet him. I had forgotten what a weird place the Wizard Tower is; it smells very peculiar. Septimus came to us for tea and Mum didn’t stop smiling. She kept trying to ruffle his hair; he looked a bit embarrassed, but he let her do it. Nik was around for a while and then he went to the boatyard. I don’t think he has told Mum about the Apprenticeship yet. Septimus and I walked back to the Wizard Tower, and Marcia came down to meet us. And guess what? She told me the password to the Tower! How amazing is that? But I am not allowed to tell
anyone else
what it is, so I can’t write it here.

SATURDAY

Nicko told Mum about the Apprenticeship and Mum is very upset. I went for a walk to the Wizard Tower; I said the password and it
worked
! Those huge silver doors swung open and they were
totally silent
. Septimus was allowed out for an hour, so we went down to the boatyard and saw Nik. It was fun.

SUNDAY

Tomorrow we will have been here a whole week! Mum has spent all day in the herb-garden-to-be and Dad has decided to be a writer. He says he is sick of being a Wizard. He says he has always wanted to write, but living with so many children in only one room meant he could never think straight. Now he has a
huge
room all to himself and has put up a notice on the door that says,
PAMPHLETEER IN PROGRESS. QUIET
! Sometimes I think my parents are a bit odd.

I am going back to school tomorrow and getting a tutor soon too. Must go; Bo is coming to sleep over and we are going exploring at midnight, but it is a secret. I like living here!

NOTES FROM PRINCESS LESSONS

• A Princess must always walk with her head up and her back straight.
  
• A Princess must speak slowly and clearly and not shout.
  
• A Princess must smile when smiled at and not frown.
  
• A Princess must learn to judge character.
  
• A Princess must be fair, just and impartial.
  
• A Princess must trust her instincts.
  
• A Princess must listen.
  
• A Princess must attend her Princess lessons.
  
• A Princess must
  not
  sneak out of the Palace in the middle of the night.