The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel Read Online Free

Daisy’s strongest tea before Nora felt back to herself. Nanny Grimshaw had retired to her room, claiming a headache due to all the excitement, and Mabel spent the rest of the afternoon floating up to the ceiling and touching the plaster molding before breathing her way back down.
    â€œWhat do witches do, Mama?” Mabel asked, attempting a wobbly somersault.
    â€œWell, they tell fortunes and make magic spells,” Nora said. “Love charms, healing balms, things like that.”
    â€œAnd glide about looking graceful,” Daisy added,plumping up the cushions. She hugged a blue velvet pillow against her chest. “Witches are the most elegant creatures in the world.”
    â€œDo you think they make sand castles that don’t wash away, or ice cream that never melts?” Mabel asked, landing on the bear rug in front of the fire. “That’s what I want to do with my magic.” And then in a quieter voice, “Do you think they have dull, boring names like Mabel?”
    â€œMy mother was called Mabel,” Nora said rather sharply. “It’s a lovely name.”
    â€œBut it just doesn’t sound very magical,” Mabel whispered. “Couldn’t I change it to something else? Like Anastasia? That is a beautiful name for a witch.” Mabel yawned.
    â€œTake a rest,” Nora said, covering her daughter with a shawl. “It’s been a long day.”
    Mabel rubbed her eyes and curled up on her side. “Mama,” she murmured softly. “Eliza said my mother was an earthworm. Isn’t that silly? You’re not an earthworm, are you? You don’t live in a flowerpot.”
    Feeling her legs go suddenly weak, Nora sank down on the sofa. She glanced at Daisy and said, “Of course I’m your mama, Mabel. Eliza is talking nonsense.”
    That evening, when Mabel was safely tucked up in bed (the ribbon tied around one of the bedposts just incase she did some nighttime floating), Nora sat down at her desk and penned a letter to the headmistress of Ruthersfield Academy, explaining the situation with Mabel. “If they offer her a place, Daisy, I have decided to leave Melton Bay,” Nora said, accepting the cocoa Daisy was offering.
    â€œBut this is your home, mam. And what about all those roses you’ve worked so hard on growing? Trying to make them smell extra nice and bloom different colors and things.” Daisy frowned and bit her lip. “Where will you go, mam?”
    â€œI believe I shall move to Potts Bottom so Mabel will be near the academy.” Nora screwed the lid on her ink pen and took a sip of cocoa. She sighed softly. “I can take plant cuttings with me, Daisy. They will put down fresh roots. But it won’t be long before Eliza Cranford brings up the matter of Mabel’s beginnings again. And I can’t bear to see Mabel getting hurt.”
    â€œI don’t mean to speak out of turn, mam, but you can’t shield Miss Mabel forever.” Daisy twisted her hands together. “She is bound to find out sooner or later.”
    â€œNot if we move to Potts Bottom. No one knows us there, and if I can protect my daughter from unnecessary pain, then I intend to do that.” Nora’s voice was hard, and Daisy lowered her eyes.
    â€œOf course, mam.”
    Surprisingly, it was only six days after the letter had been sent that a reply arrived for Nora. “They would like to see Mabel for an interview,” she said, informing Nanny Grimshaw. “Next Tuesday afternoon. I will accompany Mabel myself, of course, so please have her dressed in her new crinoline frock. We are to take the train to Little Shamlington, and a carriage will be waiting to escort us over to Ruthersfield.”
    Mabel had never ridden in a steam train before, which was exciting enough, but a day without Nanny Grimshaw was even more exciting. Nora had tied the ribbon around Mabel’s waist for the trip, and she held the other end