The Worst Witch All at Sea (20 page)

‘Oh yes, Miss Cackle!’ agreed Mildred, sounding a little too eager.

Miss Hardbroom shot a menacing glance in her direction.

‘I mean —’ contrived Mildred hastily – ‘of course we’ll soldier on and do our
best
, but it will all be much more difficult without Miss Hardbroom at the helm.’

‘All right, Mildred,’ muttered Miss Hardbroom. ‘There’s no need to overdo it.’

‘Now then, Mildred,’ said Miss Cackle, rising from her chair and pushing her glasses on top of her head. ‘About yesterday’s little escapade.’

Oh dear, thought Mildred. Here we go.

‘If you hadn’t disobeyed orders and brought that dreadful cat, which should have been in the kitchen catching mice,’ said Miss Cackle, looking serious, ‘Miss Hardbroom would not have climbed into the boat to investigate when she saw it at the window, thereby avoiding the fall which knocked her out.’

‘No, Miss Cackle,’ agreed Mildred, looking at the floor.

‘However,’ continued Miss Cackle, ‘neither would you have discovered the chest which you brought back from the rock, which
is
after all the very same treasure chest described to you by the magician in the folk-tale about the shipwrecked sailor. Yes, Mildred, the chest is packed with gold coins and the most gorgeous jewellery.’

Mildred didn’t know how to react. She looked around the room, first at Miss Cackle, who was looking thrilled and excited, then at the magician, who was smiling at her with a vaguely fond expression, and finally at Miss Hardbroom, who looked as if she would like to expel her worst pupil on the spot.

‘What will happen to Tabby?’ she asked.

The magician stepped forward and put an arm around Mildred’s shoulders.

‘You must be so proud of this child, Miss Cackle,’ he said. ‘And especially you, Miss Hardbroom, after she saved your life. Most girls would want to know if they could have the treasure, but not
this
girl. The only thing she wants in the world is her little cat, and I can’t see any reason why she shouldn’t have it, can you?’

‘Well, I really don’t think —’ began Miss Hardbroom, but the magician cut across her.

‘I mean to say, Miss Hardbroom, the cat actually wrapped itself around your neck to keep you warm all night. It’s the least reward we can give to Mildred to let her keep her little lifesaver.’

‘If you think so, your Honour,’ said Miss Hardbroom, trying to look gracious.

‘And as for the treasure,’ said the magician, ‘there’s enough to do all the repairs to the castle here
and
to give you a substantial amount for Miss Cackle’s Academy.’

‘Oh, Mr Rowan-Webb!’ exclaimed Miss Cackle. ‘How simply wonderful. I’ve been wondering how we were going to pay for the new roof on the west wing – perhaps there’ll even be enough left for a swimming-pool!’

‘Could I go and tell Tabby the good news?’ asked Mildred, anxious to leave the room before any more questions were asked.

‘Of course,’ said Miss Cackle.

‘I’ll escort you back to your dormitory,’ said the magician.

Just outside the dormitory door, the magician handed a small package to Mildred.

‘This is a little present from the treasure chest,’ he said. ‘I thought you ought to have a memento, and it seemed rather appropriate. I still haven’t forgotten how you rescued
me
last year. Enjoy the rest of your stay, my dear. It’s bound to be a little easier with your form-mistress recovering in her room.’

The dormitory was empty, except for the cats. Everyone had been called to the hall for a late breakfast. Mildred could hardly wait to join them and share the wonderful news about Miss Hardbroom being out of action for the rest of the holiday. Before she left the room, she curled up for a quick hug of Tabby and to find out what was in the magician’s package.

It was a gold chain with a delightful pendant composed of two golden frogs, one with emeralds for eyes, the other with rubies. They were sitting solemnly facing each other, shaking hands. Mildred put it on and slipped

it out of sight beneath her shirt as a secret good-luck charm, where she kept it for ever, even when she grew up. Certainly that day, as she raced down the sunlit stairs to find her friends and tell them all her news, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world instead of the worst witch in the school.