Edwina Pilkington's Computer School of Magic by Elizabeth Barber Page A

was the sound of footsteps coming into the Great Hall.
    â€˜This is my favourite time of the year,’ said Edwina as both girls hurried into the Great Hall of Stone Castle, looking up at all the Halloween decorations hanging from the large wooden rafters. ‘Can we leave the Great Hall like this all year round?’ asked Edwina in a loud voice which echoed all the way down the hallway.
    Lady Lilly Arna looked up at her daughter. ‘We could leave the decorations up until after your birthday,’ said Lady Lilly Arna, ‘for this birthday is a special one because you will inherit the power of the Pilkingtons’ Magic Ring.’
    â€˜I can’t wait for my birthday,’ said Edwina. ‘Hopefully I will be accepted into Professor Frogsley’s school and be part of the magical world of Computer Magic.’
    Just then, there was a loud knock at the door. ‘That’s Mr Gummylegs with the pumpkins for the Halloween party,’ said Lady Lilly Arna as she walked towards the door of Stone Castle. ‘Oops! I almost forgot about a special parcel that Mr Philpott the postman delivered. I do believe it was addressed to a Miss Edwina Pilkington.’
    Before another word was spoken, Edwina was climbing the old stone staircase in such a hurry that she began taking two steps at a time. She quickly turned the corner at the top of the stairs and started running as fast as she could towards the East Wing of the castle.
    Suddenly, Thirty-four, Edwina’s pet pig (who was named after his thirty-four spots), came running towards her. He was so excited at seeing her home from school that he forgot to stop. Edwina tripped over Thirty-four and they both went tumbling down the hallway, stopping just in front of her bedroom door.
    Gabriella couldn’t stop giggling when she turned the corner at the top of the stairs and saw Edwina with Thirty-four standing on her tummy, twisting his curly tail and licking her face which was now covered in pig dribble. Thirty-four looked so pleased with himself.
    â€˜Looks like you could do with some help, Edwina,’ Gabriella said.
    Gabriella helped Edwina onto her feet. They both giggled and gave Thirty-four a big cuddle. ‘Now be a good piggy and you can come up to the tower and help me make a special magical spell for Halloween,’ said Edwina.
    Edwina opened her bedroom door and there in the middle of the room was a large, green box, all tied up with red ribbon.
    â€˜It’s my birthday present from Aunt Ada,’ Edwina said as she read the little red card on the box. With a big smile on her face, she opened the box and there, all neatly folded up inside was her very own black cloak.
    Being very careful, Edwina unfolded the cloak and slipped it on over her shoulders. ‘It’s perfect!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’m never taking it off.’
    Edwina ran over to her dressing table, opened her top drawer and there in a little glass box was her special Magic Ring that her mother Lady Lilly Arna had given her the day before for her upcoming birthday. Edwina slipped the ring with the sparkling, red stone onto her middle finger and picked up her four blue Magic Stones, which were the size of marbles, and gently placed them inside her black cloak pocket. Edwina turned around and started jumping up and down, for she was so excited.
    Gabriella joined in and they both started dancing around the room, having lots of fun. Thirty-four wanted to join in as it looked like so much fun, but then he remembered he had to be a good pig because he really did want to help Edwina make a Magic Spell for Halloween.
    â€˜I feel dizzy,’ Gabriella said.
    Edwina stopped and pulled her black cloak around her. ‘We had better hurry up to the tower, Edwina said. ‘It’s time to make a special Magic Spell for Halloween.’
    Edwina, Gabriella and Thirty-four hurried over towards the bookshelf. When Edwina touched a black leather book, the stone