Jealous Magic
Prologue
My name is, or was, Vince McGrath. I was once a 20-year-old man, but
all that was taken from me by magic, yes magic. When I had left school
at 18, had managed to be accepted into a very select university located
just outside a large but picturesque Scottish village known as
Darkhaven.
Surrounded by thick Scottish woodland, Darkhaven is one of those
villages where the rich have moved in, raising the property prices and
forcing most of the original inhabitants out. Darkhaven is now a home
for wealthy businessmen and women who like to escape from the pressure
cooker of London.
Very few of the native inhabitants remain in Darkhaven, and those that
do earn their money working for the rich who live amongst them, or in
some of the local services and shops.
So far life had been good to me, I excelled at sports, I was popular and
had a natural talent for science. And during my second term at
Darkhaven, I had met and fallen in love with a gorgeous girl named Sarah
King.
The only fly in the ointment was a strange weasel like student called
Gerald Magestone. Magestone had taken an instant dislike to me from the
onset, while he could outperform me in the classroom; he was my inferior
in almost every other way.
Where I was six feet in height, he was barely five foot five. While my
body was toned and well developed from exercise, sports and hard work in
my father's garden, Magestone had no muscle tone whatsoever; his build
was so thin as to be near emaciated.
And while I mixed easily with people and had good self-confidence,
Magestone found it hard to even talk to strangers. His poor social
skills were made worse by his arrogance, born out of the fact that his
family were the founders of Darkhaven University. Plus his father, who
had died two years previously, had been the local Lord, a title he was
due to inherit on his twentyfirst birthday.
At first, being a sociable person, I had tried to win him over, but as
time went by, it became more obvious that he would never be a friend and
I soon learned to ignore him.
And for two years I managed to keep my temper despite his best efforts,
even when he tried to have me expelled on a falsified theft charge.
I did however have the satisfaction of having him issue a public apology
in front of the entire University, and pay me ?10,000 in damages.
Unfortunately for me I was soon to lose everything in ways I would never
have believed possible.
Chapter 1, Becoming Jessica
It was early summer; University would be closing for the summer holidays
in two days time and the feeling of the holidays was in the air.
I met Sarah after her biology class was finished and we walked down to
the University Park.
I always marvelled at her beauty whenever I saw her. Long midnight
black wavy hair flowed from her head in a thick, luxurious torrent past
her delicate rounded shoulders to halfway down her slender back.
She had a perfect figure to my eyes; some would think her as slightly
overweight, as her curves were more reminiscent of a forties screen
goddess. Ample curves graced her form. Her breasts were as perfect as
I have ever seen, not too large or too small and the ideal counterweight
to her generously proportioned posterior.
Her skin was olive, giving her a Latin look; her beautiful oval face was
flawless. From the tip of her small delicately upturned nose, with its
broad finely sculpted nostrils, across her smooth, well appointed cheeks
to her beautiful emerald eyes, I could never find a trace of anything
that didn't please me.
Today however her normally cheerful countenance was serious, the sparkle
in her eyes dulled.
"Hey Sarah, what's up?" I asked. "You seem down today."
"Oh, its Gerald, he's been hanging around me, and I think he spies on me
when I'm in the library."
"Gerald? As in Gerald Magestone?"
"The very same," she said, "I thought he was harmless enough, but he's
been getting creepy lately. I think he's planning something about me
too."
This made me angry, but I didn't want to show Sarah. I had heard
rumours about Magestone and a girl who had attended Darkhaven three
years before, how he had become interested in her and stalked her.
For some reason she left the University and apparently with a
considerable sum of money, local rumour had it that Magestone tried
something and she had to be paid off.
"If you want I could have words with him for you, put him right about
things?"
She looked at me, some of the sparkle back in her eyes. "You would?
But don't hurt him, I know he's got me agitated, but I don't think he
really means any harm. And be careful, there's something different
about him recently."
"Of course I won't, I'll merely let him know how he stands, and remind
him of the legal difficulties he could get into by harassing young
women."
We spent the rest of the afternoon fooling about on the lawn in the
University park, until we had to go to our various lectures and classes.
Later that day, at roughly five pm, I saw Magestone heading out of the
University grounds; he was heading towards Darkhaven House, his family
home.
Well, I thought it a good time for us to have words about Sarah, so I
quickened my pace and caught up after allowing him enough time to get
clear of the University.
Coming up quickly behind him, I grabbed him by his collar and yanked him
off of his feet. He yelped in shock, dropping the books he had been
carrying. One in particular caught my eye, an ancient looking tome,
leather-bound by the look of it.
With a speed I didn't think he had, Magestone broke my grasp and
snatched the book up, pretty much ignoring the other volumes.
"McGrath! What is the meaning of your ape like attack?" he whined.
Magestone always whined. I doubted he could use any other tone.
"I wanted to get your attention, we have things to discuss, you and I."
"I, McGrath, have little to discuss with an Neanderthal oaf such as
yourself, now let me be about my business."
He started to walk away, but I grabbed one of his skeletal arms. "I
SAID we have things to discuss, you scrawny little git!"
Imagine my surprise when he wheeled around and planted his foot in my
groin.
Down I went, and away he went, running home.
As soon as I could, I got up and gave chase, quickly catching up to him
as he scuttled through the House's gates.
This is where things began to get weird. As soon as he saw me racing
towards him, he stopped running. He placed that strange book on top of
a nearby privet hedge and stood watching me approach.
The house was close enough so even he could have got to it before I
reached him, but he waited for me.
I slowed down, sensing something strange, I wasn't to be disappointed
either.
"Ah, McGrath," he said in a strangely strong and self assured voice,
quite unlike his usual whining tone, "I'm afraid the tables have been
turned. You see, I have discovered something that will put you in your
place and assure me the hand of Miss Reid." He inclined his head to the
book.
With his last words I decided to forgo talking to him and pound his head
in. I went to leap at him, but was stopped dead in my tracks.
"You see, that tome is an ancient grimoire, and do you know what,
McGrath? It's magical formulae work!"
I was worried now. For some reason I couldn't move. I just stood in
front of Magestone, my body perfectly relaxed while my mind seethed with
rage. My paralysis was so complete I couldn't speak or even move my
eyes.
"I have been giving this some thought, McGrath. Since I found this
volume some weeks ago, you need not know where, I realised I could rid
myself of your loutish working class presence once and for all. But
killing you? No, that just wouldn't do. No, what I have in mind for
you is something longer lasting, and doubtless humiliating for you."
As he had been talking I could see his body grow slightly, his frame
filled out with more muscle, becoming more defined, while his skin lost
that pasty corpse-like pallor, becoming healthier.
Soon he had become an idealised version of himself; he looked to be
equal to my six feet in height. Even his movements were more confident,
while I felt weaker, somehow drained. Even my clothing seemed somehow
baggier, ill fitting on my body.
"You don't have a hope, McGrath, you boorish prig. I have knowledge
that allows me to shape reality around me, as you can see. Follow me,
your turn is about to come."
Suddenly I began moving, following Magestone like some dog as he led me
up to the house.
He took me through the house, up to the first floor and into a large
bedroom, decorated in soft pastels.
Dolls, stuffed toys and other girlish items populated the room, and on
the bed, in pride of place, lay a small Teddy bear.
"Welcome to your new home, McGrath, now turn and face the mirror."
I was really scared by this point, just what was this madman planning,
and why had he told me that this room, obviously a little girl's room
was to be my new home?
Unable to resist his commands, I turned and stared into a full-length
mirror that was affixed to the door of a wardrobe. My reflection was my
first shock.
Gone were my hard won muscles, my body was now thin and undeveloped,
where once my skin had a healthy colouring; it was now a sickly pale, as
if I had rarely been out in the open sunshine. Somehow Magestone had
stolen my strength and health, but this was nothing to what was to come.
As I stared at my reflection, I could see myself begin to shrink, slowly
at first, but with increasing speed.
And as I shrank other changes took place, my face was remodelling
itself, and I watched and felt the bones and flesh shift painlessly, as
my face changed, until a stranger's face gazed out of the mirror at me.
I watched in fearful amazement as my green eyes turned sky blue and my
close-cropped dark brown hair shifted to golden blonde and cascaded over
my now slender shoulders.
My clothes hid the rest of the changes, but I could feel my manhood
slowly contract, pulling itself inside my body and taking my testicles
with it. And still I shrunk.
Now I could see my new face in the right context, I had the cute button
nose, big sky blue eyes and innocent rosebud lips of a pretty little
girl.
I could feel my body beneath my grossly oversized clothes. It was real!
Magestone had transformed me into a little girl.
I couldn't have been much more than five years old!
I felt weak, helpless and very afraid. Magestone moved behind me,
towering over my tiny body. My head was a few inches lower than his
belt buckle.
Looking down at me he muttered to himself, "No, no. This won't do at
all."
Suddenly my clothes began to shift. Scared and unable to move, all I
could do was watch as my old male clothing rippled and transformed,
pulling itself up my tiny body until I was clothed in a pale pink summer
dress, matching socks and maryjanes.
Then my hair began to move, soft pink ribbons appeared and soon my
blonde hair was neatly arranged in long bunches either side of my head,
held in place by the ribbons. The rest flowed down my back, completing
the image of an innocent five year-old girl.
"There! All done," Magestone said, obviously delighted with his
handiwork. "Face me," he commanded, and unwillingly I obeyed.
I had to really crane my neck to meet his gaze, but as I did, I was
transfixed, mesmerised.
Magestone grinned down at me, obviously pleased with his handiwork.
"In case you're wondering, the spell I used has not merely altered your
body, it has reshaped reality. Now the world knows you as a five year
old little girl. And tomorrow the body of Vince McGrath will be found
near the main road, apparently hit by a car and left to die."
He smiled down at me, drinking in my misery.
"From this moment on you will think of yourself as Jessica Magestone,
you are now my five year old half-sister. Although I allow you to
retain the memories of your past life, you will think and act exactly
like the little girl you now are. Everyone knows you are sweet little
Jessica now, so if you try to tell anyone what has happened to you,
they'll only think it the over active imagination of a little girl."
As he spoke I felt something in my mind change. I tried to think of
myself as Vince McGrath, but I couldn't. Even though I could remember
being a man, I could only think of myself as five year-old Jessica
Magestone.
As this realisation sunk in, I felt tears well up in my eyes as
Magestone looked down at me in triumph.
"Now, tell me who you are, and who I am."
I tried to tell him I was Vince McGrath and he was a sick little creep,
but all I could say was what he wanted me to.
"I'm Jessica, you're my big brother Gerald," I said, cringing inside at
my cute little voice.
"And you like being a little girl, don't you?"
Again my mind betrayed me and I nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Gerald, girls are better than smelly little boys."
Laughing Magestone said, "That's a good little girl. Here, I have a
lollipop for you."
Suddenly I found I could move, but as much as I wanted to hit Magestone
then, I knew I'd regret it, I had to bide my time.
"Thank you Gerald," I said smiling up at him, even as my mind was going
frantic with the enormity of what he had done to me.
Reaching up I took the proffered lollipop and promptly began sucking on
it happily, enjoying the sweet fruity flavour, despite myself.
"My, but you are a pretty little girl, aren't you," he said, grinning
down at me.
His comment made me blush with embarrassment, but I also felt a touch of
pride at his words, pleased that I was a pretty little girl.
"Come along Jessica, I'm sure mother doesn't want you staying up here
all day playing with your dolls," Magestone said, a note of cruel
amusement in his voice.
"Okay, but I want to bring Teddy too," I said, climbing onto my bed to
grab the stuffed bear, feeling a childish sense of security in holding
the stuffed animal. Burning inside with humiliation, I could feel
Magestone's amusement at my girlish actions.
Taking my tiny hand in his huge one, he left my bedroom, walking down
the hallway, with me skipping along beside him just like the little girl
I was rapidly becoming as the changes in my mind caught up with my body.
As we walked Magestone said, "With you no longer an obstacle, and myself
with my newfound strengths and social skills, I will soon have Miss
King's affection, and you will have to watch as I woo her and perhaps
marry her."
I looked up at him, my stomach churning with emotions and tears once
again in my eyes.
"No Gerald, I don't want to be a little girl. Please turn me back. Why
are you being so cruel to me?" I said in my cute girlish voice, tears
streaming down my face.
In a snarling voice Magestone said, "Because I have the power, my dear
little Jessica, I have the power. And you had everything I wanted,
strength, confidence and above all, Miss King. Now I have your
strengths and soon I will have Sarah, while you have the life of a
little girl.
"Just thank your lucky stars that I did not act upon my first idea, or
you would find yourself as one of the village whores, or would you
prefer that, my dear?"
I swallowed hard and shook my head, terrified that he would carry out
his threat right then and there.
"I thought not. Now dry your eyes. We don't want you seeing mummy all
teary eyed, do we?"
He produced a silk handkerchief and wiped my eyes dry, then made me blow
my nose, just like any adult does to small children.
"Now come along, Jessica, and let's have no more of your nonsense."
Again he took my hand and led me through the house, and again, I skipped
along beside him, just like any other little girl.
He took me to the patio at the rear of the house. And sitting reading
on a sun lounger was a beautiful woman. She couldn't have been more
than thirty-six, her golden hair was the same shade as mine now was, and
tumbled about her shoulders as she reclined.
Even from the doorway to the patio I could see her face clearly, and
took note of how my own face closely mirrored hers. Surely this
couldn't be Magestone's mother.
Then I remembered; Magestone's mother had died when he was ten and his
father had married his twenty six year old aide, Jennifer Rowan.
There had been quite a scandal about it back then, I remember hearing
about it on the national news.
From what I had heard when I came to Darkhaven, Magestone's mother had
been ill with cancer for years, and at the end she had told his father
to marry soon after her death.
Apparently she had even suggested his aide, information that had never
made it to the national press. And they hounded the couple for six or
seven years.
As we came out onto the patio, Jennifer looked up, seeing Magestone
first; a flash of distaste quickly crossed her face, a look that
Magestone apparently missed completely.
Then she saw me and her face lit up with a huge smile. As she smiled at
me, I felt a deep connection with her, something that Magestone had
planted in my mind no doubt, but still a very real thing.
I knew instinctively that this woman was now my mother and she would
always keep me safe.
My new emotions overriding my mind, I let go of Magestone's hand and ran
over to Jennifer, unable and unwilling to remove the huge smile on my
face.
"And how's Mummy's little angel?" she asked me, in that voice reserved
for a favourite child.
"I'm okay, Mummy," came my reply.
Jennifer, my new mother, picked me up and sat me on her knee, giving me
a warm hug and kissing my forehead. And at that very moment I felt
something fade in my mind.
Instinctively I knew that the last vestiges of Vince McGrath had been
purged from me, apart from the memories of my former life; I was now
completely Jessica Magestone, and if I were ever to hope of a return to
my old life, I had to find and decipher Magestone's grimoire.
These thoughts filled me with a kind of panicky fear that quickly faded
as I basked in the presence of my new mother.
Jennifer must have sensed this in me, because she looked down at me and
asked, "Is something wrong Jessie? Has Gerald been cruel to you?"
I glanced over to Magestone, who gave me a warning glance that I'm
certain Jennifer missed and replied, "No Mummy, I was just playing with
my dollies and Gerald said I should come and play outside."
"Well, you just sit with Mummy, it's nearly seven o'clock, and it will
soon be time for little girls like you to be in bed."
And she was right too, I was exhausted as I sat there, I could feel
myself becoming drowsier.
As I lay in her lap I listened to her talking to Magestone, as I slowly
drifted off to sleep. It was obvious, even to my five year-old mind,
that she didn't care much for her stepson, but he obviously doted on her
and was more than a little afraid of her too.
"Are you sure you haven't been tormenting her, Gerald? Don't deny that
you don't. You've been seen by the servants on a few occasions making
her cry."
"I, well, that is, not on this occasion, Mother. I have been a good
older brother; I even gave her a lollipop before bringing her down to
you."
"Harrumph, I bet it was a bribe to stop her from crying before you
brought her down."
As they talked I drifted of to sleep, lulled by the security of my new
mother's presence.
Chapter 2 A new Life
Sunlight streaming through pastel pink curtains woke me; drowsily I lay
there, glad that my insane nightmare was over, and then I felt the teddy
bear I still held in my tiny arms, and the sensation of my long blonde
hair moving with my head.
It was all true! I was the victim of Magestone's insane jealousy of me;
and I was now trapped in the identity and body of his five year-old half
sister.
My five year-old mind was overcome with the sorrow of my loss, and I
began to cry like the little girl I was. Hearing the door opening, I
looked up, my weeping subsiding slightly.
A young woman entered my room. She was wearing a traditional English
nanny's uniform that did little to hide her well-proportioned figure; if
I had still been my old male self, she would have aroused me, but as I
was, I only saw her as a source of comfort.
"Why the tears, Princess? Did you have a nasty nightmare?" she asked
me, sympathy flowing from her.
I really wanted to tell her the truth, ask her for help, but I knew she
just wouldn't believe me. It seemed like Magestone had been telling the
truth when he said he could alter reality around him.
Besides his magic had robbed me of an adult vocabulary. So I simply
nodded and said yes.
"Well, don't you fret, Princess. Fiona's here now and I'll chase all
those nasty dreams away," she said, thankfully giving me her name.
Fiona lifted me gently out of my bed and held me to her and rocked me
until my sobs subsided.
"There, there, Princess. Those nasty dreams can't hurt you. Now let's
give you your morning bath and get you ready for infant school."
Fiona carried me from my room to the bathroom, humming a song as she
walked. Feeling safe in her arms, I dozed, waking again as she tickled
my feet to wake me. Giggling I looked around.
The bathroom we were in was big enough to fit the front room of my
former parent's house in. It had a definite feminine feel to it,
obviously designed by or for a woman.
The bath itself was a white porcelain tub, circular in shape and crowned
by gold plated taps. The whole room screamed wealth and status.
Setting me down on the floor Fiona removed my nightclothes and ran a
bath for me, leaving me to see my new body for the first time.
Gazing into the mirror showed me with absolute certainty that I was not
Vince McGrath anymore.
There was no trace of anything even slightly male about my tiny shape,
and my face was a five year old version of Jennifer's; and even I could
recognise that it was a little girl who looked out of my eyes.
I was distracted from my inspection when Fiona picked me up and with a
good-natured shout of whee put me in the bath.
Quickly and thoroughly bathing me, Fiona then played with me, splashing
me with water and playing with my bath toys.
After a half hour of fun, which raised my spirits totally, she lifted me
out and dried me off, using a hair dryer on my long golden hair.
Finally declaring herself satisfied with my cleanliness, she wrapped me
in a tiny pink bathrobe and walked me back to my bedroom, with me
skipping happily along beside her.
In the space of an hour I had formed a deep attachment to this woman, I
knew I could trust her with my safety as much as I could Jennifer.
She dressed me in a pink and white stripped dress and white socks, and
then had me sit on the chair in front of my vanity mirror.
"Now then young lady," she said in a mock serious voice that had me
giggling, "how would you like your hair today?"
"Can you do it like it was yesterday, Fiona?" I asked, wanting to make a
good impression on her.
She smiled and nodded, combing my hair out, then arranging it before
using some pink ribbons to hold the bunches in place.
As she was finishing up we heard the unmistakable sound of Magestone
walking down the hallway to the bathroom. I caught a distasteful look
on Fiona's face as she looked towards the door.
"Fiona, don't you like Gerald?" I asked; hating the cute little voice
that Magestone had given me.
"Never you mind your pretty little head, princess," she replied, smiling
at me.
Sensing I had a possible ally in Fiona, I pressed the point.
"It's okay, Fiona, I won't tell on you," I said and then whispered to
her, "I think Gerald is scary."
"You do not, you little fibber!" she said, laughing.
"I do, he's nasty to me, and sometimes he makes me cry."
She looked at me, considering for a moment, then smiled again and said,
"Alright, Princess. But this is our secret. I don't like your half
brother. He has nastiness in him that makes me feel bad, and I don't
think he is to be trusted."
"Mummy doesn't like Gerald either," I said, sharing something Fiona
probably already knew.
"Oh, I know that, Princess, your Mummy doesn't hide her feelings about
Gerald"
I smiled inwardly. I had my ally. While my mother would always protect
me, she couldn't be there all the time. Fiona would as a nanny always
be near me, perhaps I could use her protection to find a way to regain
my old life?
"There, all done," she said; helping me down off the chair I had been
sitting on.
Selecting a bright red pair of maryjanes she quickly put them on my
feet, securing them to my comfort and then took me by the hand down to
the dining hall for breakfast.
As we sat to eat breakfast, Jennifer fussed over me, telling me how
pretty I was and making me laugh with silly jokes.
Magestone on the other hand cast me hateful glances, obviously detesting
the fact that I was happily the centre of attention.
Had he left my mind intact, he would have thoroughly succeeded in making
me miserable. But with the mind of a five year old girl, I was quick to
recover my spirits.
Breakfast done it was time for me to be taken to my infant school. I
was nervous about going, but was successful in hiding it.
Kissing Jennifer and Magestone goodbye, an action I knew he had forced
me to do, I followed Fiona out to the front of the house and she placed
me in a child seat attached to the back seats of a light blue Renault
Laguna Hatchback.
And we set off, driving out of the House grounds and down the main road
into Darkhaven village.
Being a five year old girl, my view of the world outside the car was
limited by my height. But, as we drove down the main road, I saw the
unmistakable sight of an ambulance parked up on the opposite side of the
forested road.
As we came closer, Fiona slowed down to pass the ambulance and I
strained to see the scene.
The Ambulance crew were lifting the body of a man on the gurney. He was
obviously dead; blood covered his chest and the side of his head.
His head shifted as he was moved, giving me a clear view of his face,
and my heart froze in my chest.
I was looking straight into my own dead eyes. Despite the blood and
smashed in cheek, I still recognised my old male face. The corpse even
had the same clothes I had been wearing yesterday.
I felt sick to my stomach. I was truly dead as Vince McGrath now. As
far as the world was concerned, I had been the victim of a hit and run
driver.
I tried to hold in my tears, but I couldn't, and I began to cry,
mourning the loss of my old life, everything I had been or had.
Fiona stopped the car after the ambulance was out of sight and took me
out of the child seat, holding me in her arms and rocking me gently,
until my tears subsided.
"There, there, Princess. I know. The poor man is in heaven with Jesus
now. Don't you fret," Fiona said, soothing me with her voice.
It was at that exact moment that I began to truly hate Magestone, not
just for what he had done to me, but to my parents, family and friends
too.
No matter what I had to do, I would find a way of exposing him for what
he was and taking my revenge upon him.
Drying my eyes and kissing me on the forehead, Fiona asked me if I
wanted to go home. I told her no. So she put me back in my child seat
and we continued on to Darkhaven village.
Arriving at the village infant school Fiona helped me out of the car and
took me by the hand and led me through the main gate.
Darkhaven village infant school was larger than I expected. As we
walked through the playground some of the girls and one or two of the
boys waved or said hello to me. Not knowing any of their names I could
just wave back and smile shyly.
Seeing the world with the mind of a five year old girl, I felt the
nervousness of starting a new school for the second time that day and
clung to Fiona for security.
She smiled down at me and ruffled my hair, making me feel a little
better.
We arrived outside the Head Master's office and Fiona told me to wait
outside while she talked with Mr Darby, who I assumed to be the Head
Mistress.
While Fiona was in the office I looked at my surroundings. The hallway
was gigantic to me; the walls were painted in soft blue and white with
friendly looking animal pictures and cartoon characters.
There were a number of classroom doors in the hallway, their handles set
at a height I could easily reach. Low hung coat hooks were fixed to the
wall, empty for the most part, this being summer.
As I stood looking around, I was shoved from behind and went sprawling
on the floor. I could feel the tears welling up inside me, my child's
mind reacting to the sudden shock, until I heard the laughter.
Standing up I saw two boys. One was a skinny kid, about my height, but
the other one was huge. He was easily a foot taller than his friend or
me, my head was level with his chest, so I had to look up slightly to
meet his gaze.
Hard brown eyes stared at me from a chubby and mean spirited face as he
said, "Look Jessica is going to cry!"
That did it, I may have been given the mind and body of a five year old
girl, but my personality was still very much the same. I decided I was
going to give this overgrown bully the beating he deserved, and I still
remembered my lifetime of experience with fights.
Before I got the chance, however, the door to the Head Master's office
opened and a large imposing man appeared, accompanied by Fiona.
Even the bully and his friend shut up, this was obviously Mr Darby, a
man in his forties, by his look. Dressed in a no nonsense suit he
exuded authority. As a man I would have felt it, as a little girl, he
was overpowering to me.
"What is the meaning of this unseemly behaviour outside of my office?"
he asked in a loud and obviously angry voice.
I could see the huge boy and his companion pale visibly at his anger,
even I felt shaken by it.
A girl who I hadn't noticed before said, "Mr Darby, Angus and Peter
pushed Jessica over."
"Thank you Melissa, you run along now," Mr Darby told the girl in a much
softer tone.
Mr Darby turned to the bully and his friend. "Now! What have you two
to say for yourself?" he demanded of them in a commanding tone.
Both of the boys bowed their heads, trying to hide their humiliation.
They were drawing a crowd of children, I could hear them talking and
snickering amongst themselves.
"Don't you think it's cowardly for two seven-year old boys to bully a
five year old girl?" he asked them, causing both boys to blush with
humiliation and me to grin at them in triumph.
Receiving no immediate answer Mr Darby said, "Jessica has had a nasty
experience this morning, and you young hooligans decide to make her
morning a little worse."
Sighing he finished with, "You two little monsters will come to my
office after school and I shall have your parents in to hear about your
shameful behaviour, but for now I think you should both apologise to
Jessica and ask for her forgiveness, now!"
Swallowing hard the smaller of the two mumbled his apology and asked for
my forgiveness, the larger boy gave me a vicious look that held the
promise of more to come, but even he offered his apology, even though it
sounded like he had to force the words out of his mouth.
I accepted their apologies, grinning triumphantly at them, and they fled
down the hallway towards the playground, the laughter of the other
children following them.
As the children dispersed Fiona and Mr Darby took me into the office and
sat me down on a sofa, Fiona sitting beside me.
Mr Darby returned to his desk and looked at me with concern visible on
his face.
"Well, Jessica. You had a nasty experience earlier this morning, I
hear. Are you sure you don't want to go back home?" he asked me.
"No thank you Mr Darby, I want to come to school," I replied, my voice
still showing all the emotion I had experienced that morning.
He and Fiona exchanged glances, then he smiled down at me and said,
"Well, you're a brave little girl, you run along and play now, the bell
won't be ringing for a half hour yet."
Smiling I said, "Thank you Mr Darby," and climbed down from the sofa and
kissing Fiona goodbye I left the office and went out into the
playground, determined to gain control over my nervousness.
During the half hour before the bell rang I wandered aimlessly about the
playground; other little girls would talk to me, asking what had
happened to me this morning.
I told them just what I had seen on the road, like any small child would
have. This tale made me the centre of attention as the other children
gathered round, wanting to hear every detail.
My little conversations helped me out; I managed to find out the names
of the other children and who my teacher was.
For some reason Magestone, despite all his magic, had not given me the
memories of Jessica's five years of life. Was this a mistake on his
part, or perhaps a sign that his magic wasn't all he said it was?
Finally the bell rang, and I walked with a group of girls I had found to
be my school friends, who were all showing sympathy for my scary ride to
school.
And then we were in my class. I sat with my newfound friends and our
topics of conversation ranged from children's television shows to which
boy was the cutest, or the smelliest. I soon found I was losing myself
in the childish conversations, joining in as readily as the other little
girls.
Presently our teacher, Miss Williams, entered the class and our lessons
began.
For the rest of the morning we were taught maths and English. To my
amazement I found that I was having as much difficulty with these
subjects as my classmates; I obviously had as much knowledge as any
other five year old.
The rest of the day at school passed with no incident, I completely lost
myself, becoming a little girl in every way. I played with the other
girls at playtimes, joined in their conversations and shared their
jokes. For a time I totally forgot about my predicament, that is until
it was time to go home.
Chapter 3 Sarah Moves In
I waited outside the school with the other kids to be picked up by
Fiona, chatting with my friends about the day's events, but it was
Magestone's Hummer that arrived instead.
My heart sank as I saw him climbing out of his car and he obviously saw
my dismay, because he began to grin at me.
"Come along, Jessica, we haven't got all day," he called over to me.
Reluctantly I approached his Hummer. Magestone stood, chafing at my
lack of speed.
He helped me up into the rear passenger seat, firmly securing me in a
child seat and climbed back behind the wheel to drive off.
I waved at the girls who were now my friends and we left the school,
driving at a sedate speed back up the main road towards Darkhaven House.
"Well, my dear," he said, cruelty evident in his voice, "I saw you
chatting with your little friends. I think you're secretly happy that I
did this to you, did you enjoy your day at school as a little girl?"
"Yes Gerald," I said in a small voice.
He laughed at me; and I felt totally humiliated and helpless.
"This is wonderful," he said, "having my most hated enemy ensorcelled
and trapped in the life of my own little sister.
"Oh, you might like to know, I have spent the day consoling poor Sarah
over her loss. She has agreed to spend a few days at the house. Purely
to help her get over her beau's tragic death, of course," he told me in
an offhand manner. "So we're going to pick her up and bring her with
us. I'm sure she'll be delighted to meet you, as I'm sure you'll be
overjoyed for her to see you as a pretty little girl."
I felt a helpless anger fill me, almost pushing aside my humiliation as
Magestone laughed at me again.
Magestone drove the car past the gates leading to the house and
continued on towards the university, taking the car into the residential
buildings.
We stopped outside of the dormitory where Sarah lived and Magestone got
out of the Hummer, released me from the child seat and lifted me onto
the pavement.
Taking my hand he led me towards the dormitory building. I was feeling
very uncomfortable about this and dragged my feet, in a childish attempt
to delay the inevitable.
"Oh do stop dawdling, Jessica. Pick up your feet girl," he snapped at
me, irritated by my deliberately slow pace.
As we approached the building, two girls came walking out of the main
door. I recognised them immediately, Amanda Mason and Clair Black, two
close friends of Sarah and me.
Even though I knew they had no idea of who I really was, I felt
incredibly embarrassed being in their presence and tried to hide behind
Magestone. Of course he held me out in full view.
The girls came up to us, and they were obviously just going to pass
Magestone when they spotted me.
They immediately came straight over, smiling at me and almost ignoring
Magestone.
"Oh, aren't you a pretty little girl, what's your name, sweetheart?"
Amanda asked me.
I was so embarrassed I couldn't respond, and tried again to hide.
"Awww, she's shy," cooed Clair, beaming at me in the way women do with
small children.
Without even glancing at him Amanda asked Magestone, "Who is she? She's
adorable."
What was making this situation worse for me was that before I had met
Sarah I had dated Amanda, and now all I was as far as she was concerned
was a pretty little girl.
"This is my half sister Jessica, say hello to Amanda, Jessica."
Magestone was well aware of my history with Amanda and I could feel his
amusement at my humiliation flowing out of him like a noxious gas.
Looking at my feet and trying to hide unsuccessfully behind Magestone, I
mumbled a hello.
"You're a very pretty little girl, Jessica," Amanda told me, unknowingly
making me feel even worse, "how old are you?"
"I'm five," I mumbled.
"You're so cute," Clair said, joining in with Amanda, "I like your
hair."
"Thank you," I said, feeling mortified.
"Do you have a boyfriend yet, Jessica?" Clair asked, making me blush
furiously with embarrassment.
"Don't be daft, Clair, she's only five," Amanda said.
"Well, they grow up fast these days," Clair responded.
"Jessica still thinks boys are nasty, ladies. She's still too young to
be interested in such things."
Amanda, still looking at me and smiling said, "You're right, Gerald.
But I bet she'll have the boys falling over themselves to go out with
her when she's older."
"Oh, of that I have no doubt, ladies. She's the very image of her
mother when she was this age," Magestone replied, ruffling my hair.
Their comments made me blush again, and I kept my head down trying to
hide my embarrassment.
Clair said, "Well, we have to be going. Gerald, it was nice to see
you."
Then she looked down at me and said, "And it was nice to meet you,
Jessica, goodbye sweetheart."
And both Amanda and Clair bent down to kiss me on the cheek, both
commenting on how cute I was.
Magestone said his goodbyes to the two women and watched them walk off.
When he was sure they were out of earshot he looked down at me and in a
derisive tone said, "Well now, Jessica, I expect that was quite
unpleasant for you. But never fear, there is far worse to come, oh
yes."
He then led me into the dormitory building and up to the reception.
The main foyer of the dormitory was busy with people moving out to go
home for the holidays or just relaxing. People wandering in and out, or
sitting watching TV.
Almost everybody I saw was someone I knew and I desperately hoped that I
wouldn't have to endure another experience like the one outside.
I couldn't overhear what Magestone was saying, but after about a minute
of talking he tugged my hand and said, "Come along, Jessica." Then he
led me up the stairs and straight to Sarah's dorm room.
Magestone knocked upon the door and waited. After a few seconds the
door was opened by Sarah. She looked as though she had been crying.
Here eyelids were red and puffy, and tear stains streaked her cheeks.
She smiled weakly at Magestone and invited us in.
She knelt down before me and with a sad smile she said, "Hello, I'm
Sarah, you must be Gerald's little sister, Jessica. He told me all
about you, but he didn't say how pretty you are."
Forcing down the humiliation of having my girlfriend seeing me as a five
year old girl, I nodded and asked her why she had been crying, although
I knew the answer well enough.
She said that her boyfriend had been run over by someone in a car and
now he was in heaven.
Not saying anything else, I hugged her with true sympathy, catching a
flash of amusement on Magestone's face as I did so.
My heart went out to her. I only wished I could tell her of the cruel
trick Magestone had played on reality itself, that I was Vince and I
wasn't dead.
But I knew all she'd hear was the fanciful imaginings of a five year old
girl. So I kept quiet and let the grown-ups talk.
Sarah smiled at me and asked if I would like to watch some cartoons
while she talked with Magestone.
Knowing I had little choice in the matter, I said yes.
Sarah smiled at me and said, "Well I bought a Princess Barbie DVD for my
niece, she's five too. I don't think she'll mind a good little girl
like you watching her DVD first."
Cringing inside at the way she spoke to me, and the prospect of having
to sit and endure a little girl's movie, I nonetheless smiled at her and
said thank you.
She turned on the TV and put the DVD in the player. While she was
setting up the movie for me to watch, she said, "Me and Gerald have to
put some of my things in his car, and have a chat about stuff. You
watch the telly and be a good little girl for me?"
I nodded and said thank you again, even though I had no intention of
watching the damned thing when they weren't around.
However, things didn't happen the way I wanted them. Instead of
becoming quickly bored with the inanely childish storyline and overly
cute characters, I fund myself becoming enthralled by the movie and sat
rapt for the whole hour and thirty minutes, feeling disappointed when
the film was over.
Sarah and Magestone came back into the dorm room and Magestone sat down
beside me.
He said, "Jessica, Sarah is coming to live with us for the summer
holidays, so you will have to be on your best behaviour and don't bother
her with your silly games too much."
I looked up at Sarah, she'd obviously been crying again, but when she
smiled at me she didn't seem as sad.
Not trusting myself to speak, all I could do was nod my head in response
to Magestone.
Fifteen minutes later we were back at Darkhaven House. Magestone had
some servants take Sarah's bags up to a guest room and I walked in
between them, each holding one of my hands.
I kept talking to Sarah, asking her questions I already knew the answers
to in an attempt to keep her mind of her grief over my magically faked
death. She seemed to appreciate the distraction and we chatted about
nonsensical stuff as we went into the house.
Entering the family room I spotted Fiona and Jennifer sitting on a
georgian style sofa, drinking tea and talking. As soon as I saw her my
five year old emotions took over and I ran up to her.
"Mummy!" I shouted and mindful of the hot cup of tea in her hands,
hugged her.
Behind me I heard Sarah remark how adorable I was. But it didn't bother
me at that point, I was firmly under the control of my little girl's
mind.
Magestone introduced Sarah to Jennifer and Fiona, who, while they
greeted Magestone with a familiar contempt, welcomed Sarah into the
house.
Then Magestone suggested that he should show Sarah her room, and led her
out of the family room and upstairs.
Then Jennifer turned her attention to me. Putting her tea down she
picked me up and sat me on her lap.
"I hear you had a nasty shock this morning, darling," she said.
I nodded and told her all about it, becoming tearful as I relived the
incident.
Naturally Jennifer mistook my distress as a delayed shock to the scene I
had witnessed and hugged me close to her, whispering soothing words in
my ear.
After Jennifer was sure I was feeling better she suggested I go and show
Sarah my bedroom. I beamed at her and kissed her cheek, then scrambled
off of her knee and raced upstairs.
I found Sarah and Magestone quickly, just as if I knew the house like it
had been my home for my life. They were in one of the south bedrooms.
As I walked in it looked as if Magestone was getting ready to make his
move on Sarah. They were sitting on the bed, talking and drawing closer
to each other. I knew I had to break the moment.
"Sarah," I almost shouted with girlish excitement, "Mummy asked me to
show you my bedroom."
I grabbed her hand and began to lead her out of the guest room and along
the corridor.
"Jessica," Magestone said, irritated at my interruption, "it's quite
rude, not to mention unladylike, to interrupt a private conversation."
"But Mummy said..."
"Mother would likely have imagined you would be polite enough to wait
until we had finished talking, young lady," he said in that tone
reserved for disobedient children.
His tone of voice and his size were more than enough to dominate me, and
I lapsed into silence.
Then Sarah spoke up, "Gerald, she's only a child, and she's your little
sister. For god's sake show some latitude."
Magestone stopped talking before the words could reach his mouth.
He looked like all his responses and comments had jammed in his throat,
blocking it so no words could get through.
Sarah smiled down at me and said, "Come on then, Jessie, I'd love to see
your room."
When my back was turned to Magestone I grinned at my little victory and
hoped he wouldn't take it out on Sarah, or me, for that matter.
Sarah looked back at Magestone and said, "Oh, Gerald. I think you left
one of my cases in your car, be a darling and fetch it for me, would
you?"
Magestone eagerly took the offered bone and hurried to get the missing
case. For all his stolen social skills, he still didn't have a clue.
Despite having the mind of a five year old girl, or maybe because I had
a girl's mind, I still knew that Sarah had sent him after the case to be
rid of him, he still had no chance of dating her.
I happily skipped along beside Sarah, taking her back down the corridor
to my room, exited to be with her again, even if I was a little girl and
she thought me dead.
Once inside my room I began showing her my dolls and animals, somehow I
knew all about them, what their names were, which one liked which and
who were enemies. I thought about this for a second, but dismissed it
as unimportant, as children do.
While I was opening my doll's house for Sarah, I failed to notice her
get up and lock the door, being too distracted by my dolls.
When she knelt down beside me, she looked at me with a strange
expression on her face.
Worried that Magestone might have interfered with her mind, I nervously
asked, "What's wrong Sarah?"
Her expression turned into a mixture of sympathy and sadness, "Oh
Vince," she said, "is it really you in there?"
Her words hit me like a hammer to the back of my head. I just stared at
her in shock.
Then she took me in her arms and hugged me tight, almost stopping me
from breathing.
"Oh my poor baby," she said, almost crying, "this is almost worse than
if you were really dead. I thought he was a madman, but he was telling
me the truth."
"How did you know? Who told you?" I asked, amazed that she knew who I
was.
She took a deep breath, kissed me on the forehead, and said, "Last
night, I think it was about six O'clock, I was in my room, studying."
She smiled weakly at me and continued, "Well, all of a sudden the lights
dimmed down, and when they came back on there was this man standing in
front of me. All dressed in this pale white robe, like a druid or
something. I nearly died on the spot. As it was, I jumped back so
hard, I tripped over my chair, I would have smacked my head off the
fireplace, but he stopped me falling, with a wave of his hand."
She paused, collecting her thoughts. "Well, I was in shock, I can tell
you. But he placed me back on my chair, then he told me not to be
afraid. His voice calmed me instantly, it was amazing!"
"And then what?" I asked, my childish mind becoming impatient with the
delays.
"Oh, well he told me that Gerald had found a book he shouldn't have, a
magic book. His father had it hidden in a secret room somewhere in the
University library because he didn't want Gerald to inherit it. He knew
his son was too unstable to have access to the book's power. But he did
find it, and by accident, too."
She paused for breath and I looked at her, impatiently, waiting for her
to continue.
"Well, he told me what Gerald had done to you. At first I didn't
believe him, and was about to tell him as much. But he SHOWED me. He
simply touched my temples and it was as if I were standing in the
mirror, watching you change.
"When he had shown me, he told me that he belonged to one of two
families that were charged by Charlemagne himself to keep the book safe,
because it can't be destroyed. He said that you were his first victim,
and also that he had killed a tramp with the book's magic to falsify
your death."
"Vince, he told me that we have to get the book from him, that way his
magic will desert him and they can deal with him."
I was intensely interested in the man Sarah had spoke of and asked her
what he looked like.
As she described the robed man I stared at her, shocked. The man she
was describing was Mr Darby, my infant school Headmaster.
Chapter 4 The Guardians of the Book
I sat there, in front of my doll's house staring up at Sarah for what
seemed an eternity. The thought that my nightmare could be over
sometime soon, that Sarah knew who I was, that I wasn't dead and a
chance to exact some measure of justice from Magestone whirled around in
my mind.
The sound of someone coming down the corridor snapped me from my
thoughts. Sarah jumped up and went to unlock the door. She barely had
time to return to my side when Magestone entered the room.
I pretended to show Sarah where my dolls lived, glancing up at Magestone
and faking a smile.
Returning my smile he turned to Sarah and asked, "Would you mind if we
step into the hallway and talk, Sarah?"
Giving me a quick look Sarah nodded and stood up. Magestone looked at
me and said, "You wait here, Jessica. Play with your dolls while the
grown ups talk."
Although he said it in a pleasant voice, I knew he was enjoying
reminding me of my new status as a little girl, and his power over me.
So they stepped out into the hallway and spoke in low voices. Magestone
kept the door open and cast the occasional glance at me.
I had no choice but to play with my dolls while they talked. And as I
did I quickly became absorbed with my toys, losing all interest in Sarah
and Magestone. Just like my day at infant school, I was perfectly happy
doing little girl's things.
Deep within me I knew that the transformation of my mind into a true
five year old girl's was completed when I had seen my dead body being
placed on the ambulance gurney this morning. In a lot of ways Vince
McGrath was truly dead.
In the background Magestone and Sarah talked. I could hear them, but I
was more interested in my dolls house. That is, until I heard Sarah
say, "Gerald, No!" in a loud voice.
I looked up. Magestone was trying to force a kiss from her. Sarah was
struggling vainly against him and swearing at him loudly. He cut off
her yells by clamping his mouth over hers and pinning her against the
door jamb.
Anger flooded me and I jumped up, my dolls forgotten. Running over to
them, I kicked Magestone hard. My maryjanes cracking against his
shinbone audibly.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" I yelled at the top of my tiny voice.
Magestone shrieked in pain and clutched at his wounded shin, hopping on
one foot. Sarah backed away into my bedroom, watching him fearfully.
"YOU!" he growled, releasing his injured leg and advancing on me. "Even
now, even as you now are, you still stand in my way!"
I backed away from him, terrified of what he could do to me. Then I
felt Sarah behind me, her hands rested on my shoulders for a second,
then she stepped in front of me.
"What are you going to do, Gerald? Are you going to beat a helpless
little girl? You're not a man, you're scum!"
Peeking out from behind Sarah I saw Magestone stop his advance and stand
in front of Sarah, speechless with rage, his face red and veined.
"Yes, Gerald, what ARE you going to do?"
It was Jennifer's voice. Stepping out from behind Sarah, I saw
Jennifer, Fiona and some of the house staff I had not yet met, but
somehow knew very well.
Giving Magestone a wide berth I ran to Jennifer, teary eyed and hugged
her tightly, my eyes tight shut as I cried softly with relief.
I felt her hand stroking my hair, calming me. She spoke to Magestone
again, saying, "Well, Gerald, you have two choices now. Either you can
go now and move into the guest cottage in the village, or I can call the
police and have you arrested for attempted rape and for threatening my
daughter with violence. As you can see, they have several witnesses."
"But Mother," he began, returning to his whining tone.
"Don't you mother me, you spineless worm. Your father was always afraid
this day would come. So he left me the power to veto your inheritance
in part, or in full. Including the title.
"Well, you have helped me reach a decision. As soon as you leave, I'm
going straight on the phone to my lawyers. I'm taking the title from
you. When Jessica is old enough, she will inherit it, and all title to
your father's lands. Be grateful I'm leaving you with your trust fund."
There was complete silence for what seemed like forever, then Magestone
spoke, "Very well, Mother, I...."
"That's Lady Darkhaven to you, Gerald," Jennifer said, in a voice as
cold as an arctic wind.
I looked up at Magestone from the safety of my mother's embrace. He
looked like he had been kicked in the groin. His face was pale and
sweat beaded his forehead. Slowly he regained his composure and
continued, "Lady Darkhaven then. If you would allow me to collect some
items from my room, I shall be on my way."
He made to leave, but Jennifer said, "No. First you will apologise to
both Miss King and to Jessica, then James and Martin will escort you to
your car, you are not a part of this family any longer, Gerald, nor are
you welcome in my home any longer."
Gathering his courage, Magestone turned to Sarah and, in a shaky voice
said, "Miss King, I humbly apologise for my inexcusable behaviour. I
know there is absolutely no excuse for what I did, and I only hope you
can find it in your heart to, if not forgive me, then merely accept my
apology."
Sarah took a deep breath, fear still evident in her eyes and nodded
silently.
"Jessica," he said to me, "I apologise for frightening you. And for
trying to hurt you, would you accept my apology?"
Frowning at him, I stuck out my tongue, childishly showing my contempt
of him, and earning a sharp smack on my rear.
"Jessica!" Jennifer said in that shocked tone parents use when a young
child does something they shouldn't.
"That's very rude! Not to mention unladylike, now remember your
manners," she told me.
Looking down at my feet I mumbled I was sorry and said I accepted
Magestone's apology.
Jennifer moved me aside and made room for Magestone to pass us. James
and Martin, two large and powerfully built men, each took an arm and
half carried him down the hall and out of the house.
Picking me up Jennifer smiled at me and kissed my forehead, then took a
handkerchief and dried my face.
"My poor little angel," she said to me. "Well, he's gone now and he
can't hurt you anymore."
Turning to Sarah she said, "I'm sorry about Gerald's actions, and I'm
very grateful that you were prepared to protect my daughter, Miss King.
You're quite welcome to stay as long as you wish. In fact I'd advise
you to. It wouldn't be safe for you to return to the dormitories for a
while, Gerald has an unhealthy mind and is quite vindictive."
Sarah relaxed visibly, and after a few moments she said, "Please, call
me Sarah. And thank you, I'd love to stay for as long as I'm welcome."
We spent the remainder of the evening in the family room, the adults
talking while I watched Playhouse Disney.
I had been badly shaken by the events in my room, and couldn't shake all
my fear.
When seven o'clock came round, Fiona took me for my evening bath, trying
unsuccessfully to lay my fears to rest while she bathed me.
Dressed in a pink night dress I returned to the family room to say
goodnight to Jennifer and Sarah, but I was that shaken, I refused to go
to bed, crying and pleading to be allowed to stay with them.
After my outburst Jennifer relented and I was allowed to stay
downstairs. It wasn't long before I drifted in and out of sleep,
feeling safe with my mother, Fiona and Sarah nearby to protect me.
I was awoken by Jennifer gently shaking me and softly calling my name.
Drowsily I looked up at her, still in the family room, but the TV had
been turned off and Sarah was looking at me with a somewhat amused look
on her face.
"It's time to go to bed Angel," she said to me gently.
"I'm scared, Mummy," I said. "Can I sleep in your bed?"
I caught Sarah stifling a chuckle, but I didn't care. I was a scared
little girl who wanted her mummy.
"Of course, Sweetheart," Jennifer said, picking me up.
Holding me in her arms she turned to Sarah and said goodnight, then
carried me up the stairs and across the hallway to the master bedroom.
Her bedroom was maintained in a classic style. Oak panelling adorned
the walls, while one or two portraits were hung to add variety.
The furnishings were all georgian or regency pieces, while a deep-pile
red carpet covered the floor. The centre of the room was dominated by a
four poster bed made of oak, with a pink silk canopy and curtains.
She placed me in the bed and pulled the pink silken sheets up to my
chin, while she got herself ready for bed.
Smiling at her and feeling safe and protected I drifted off into an
untroubled sleep.
Someone shaking me gently roused me from my sleep. Drowsily I opened my
eyes. Jennifer was standing over me.
"Good morning, Sweetheart," she said to me, making me smile.
"Good morning, Mummy," I replied yawning.
"Well," She said, "since Fiona has the day off Mummy is going to bath
you and get you dressed. Then we can watch cartoons together until it's
time for Mummy to take you over to Rachel's house."
I was momentarily confused until I remembered it was Saturday, and
Rachel, apparently my best friend, was having her sixth birthday today.
"But Mummy," I said, "I haven't got Rachel a present."
Jennifer smiled down at me and picking me up said, "Well, it's a good
job Mummy went into Edinburgh with Fiona yesterday, isn't it?"
I smiled and kissed Jennifer, happy that she had bought my gift to
Rachel. But I was more concerned with searching Magestone's room. That
grimoire had to be in there, somewhere.
As Jennifer took me to the bathroom Sarah emerged from her room, still
drowsy with sleep. Noticing Jennifer and me she brightened up and said
good morning.
Jennifer put me down while they chatted. I stood and waited for
Jennifer, my attention wandering, Sarah's hand ruffling my hair,
bringing me back from my daydreaming.
Smiling down at me she said, "Enjoy your bath, Jessica," and wandered
down the hall.
Bathed and clothed in a soft yellow party dress Jennifer arranged my
hair in long loose pigtails which fell over my chest, securing them with
some pink ribbons. Taking me downstairs Jennifer sat me in the family
room to watch cartoons. While she left me to contact the family
solicitor and have Magestone taken out of his father's will.
I had planned on waiting until she was deeply engrossed in her
conversation and then sneaking up into Magestone's room to search for
the book. After five minutes of Dexter's Lab, I figured Jennifer would
be distracted enough for me to sneak up.
Climbing down from the sofa, I cracked open the door leading into the
hall and checked. Jennifer had her back to me.
Easing the door open I snuck up the stairs and crept along the hallway
until I came to Magestone's room. Reaching up I tried the handle. As
luck would have it the door was unlocked.
Gingerly I opened the door and entered his room. Thick burgundy
curtains shut out most of the sunlight, bathing the room in a dull
reddish light. The only decorations on the wall were certificates from
his public school days in Harrow, awards for academic achievements and a
chart of the solar system.
At least three bookshelves lined one wall and two bookcases stood upon
some drawers. A PC sat in the corner of the room on an expensive
looking computer desk, by the look of it, it was state of the art.
I began my search, looking under his bed, lifting rugs and examining the
books, as well as I could. Nothing caught my eye. That left his
wardrobe. Opening it wasn't easy for a five year old girl, but I
managed, needing to drag the chair at the computer desk over so I could
reach the lock.
Climbing down from the chair I opened the door and searched, eventually
discovering a false bottom. Now if I could work out how to open it.
But I had ran out of time. I could hear Jennifer shouting my name from
downstairs. I hurriedly clambered out of the wardrobe, shutting the
door and ran out of the room into the bathroom.
When I heard footsteps on the stairs I flushed the loo and pulled my
stool over to the washbasin, and made a play of washing my hands, just
as Jennifer walked in
"Jessica," she said, sternly, "have you been in Gerald's room?"
"No Mummy," I said, keeping my back to her.
"Oh? Well why is your party dress dirty?"
I blushed, embarrassed at being caught in a lie by my mother, and
thinking fast I said, "I'm sorry, Mummy. But I only wanted to look.
Gerald never let me in his room before, but he could come into mine
whenever he wanted."
She looked at me, sternly and I looked back at her, mustering all the
cuteness I could into my look.
It must have worked, because her face softened and she said, "Oh well,
he doesn't live here anymore. When you get back from Rachel's party,
we can look in there together. But right now we're going to have to get
you out of that dirty dress."
We marched into my room and Jennifer picked out a light pink dress and
matching shoes for me. Then she undressed me and put me in the fresh
dress and placed the shoes on my tiny feet.
Jennifer led me downstairs where we met Sarah who was coming from the
kitchen. She smiled when she saw us. I still felt a twinge of
humiliation at her seeing me as a little girl, but much less than
before.
"And what are you all dressed up for, Jessica?" she asked, using that
tone adults always use for small children.
Jennifer replied for me, "Oh, Jessica is going to a friend's sixth
birthday party today."
"She looks so sweet in that dress," Sarah said, making me blush with
embarrassment. I knew she was finding my predicament amusing and gave
her an angry look.
"Well," she said, "it should take her mind off last night's incident
with Gerald."
Jessica nodded and replied, "Kids are pretty good at bouncing back from
stuff like that. I'm just glad he didn't hurt her."
Sarah reached down and ruffled my hair and said, "I hope you have a
wonderful time at your friend's party, Jessica. I'll just be here all
day by myself, so I'll have to find a book to read."
The way she emphasised the word book was obviously to let me know she
intended to search for Magestone's grimoire. I smiled at her and gave
her a quick hug and then Jennifer said, "Well, we must be going, it may
be fashionable for adults to be late, but not five year old girls."
Jennifer took me into the kitchen and retrieved a parcel from one of the
higher cupboards. It was large, rectangular and wrapped in bright paper
with unicorns and faeries printed on it