Witch Is When Life Got Complicated by Adele Abbott

Pearl mixed up,” Amber said.
    “That’s a good idea.”
    “Not as it turned out.” Amber frowned.
    Pearl walked in.
    “Oh?” I had to stifle a laugh. “I see what you mean. Blonde suits you too, Pearl.”
    “See, Jill.” Aunt Lucy stepped forward so she was standing in-between her daughters. “This is what I have to put up with.”
    “I had mine done first,” Amber insisted.
    “How was I meant to know you’d had it done?” Pearl said.
    “Let me get this straight.” I couldn’t help a snigger. “You both decided to change the colour of your hair so people could tell you apart, and you both ended up with the same colour?”
    The twins nodded. Aunt Lucy sighed. I laughed.
    “Who’s looking after Cuppy C?” I asked.
    “We’ve only popped out for a short break. It’s pretty quiet today so the new staff can cope.”
    The twins grabbed a custard cream each and settled down on the sofa. A cup of tea might have failed to take my mind off the test, but seeing the twins’ hair had done the trick. At least it had until I realised that it was only a minute until the test.
     
    “It’s TEST time!” Pearl said.
    “Grandma’s tests are really tough.” Amber looked at her sister and they both laughed.
    “Thanks, you two. That really helps.”
    “You’ll be okay,” Pearl said. “Provided you don’t get anything wrong.”
    They laughed even harder.
    “Stop it girls!” Aunt Lucy said. “Don’t be so unkind to your cousin,”
    “We’re only kidding,” Amber said. “Grandma’s tests are really simple. There’s nothing to them.”
    “I’m pleased to hear you say that.” As usual, Grandma had appeared from nowhere. “Because you two are going to be taking the test too.”
    The twins’ faces were a picture—a mixture of horror and disbelief.
    “But Grandma, we finished our studies years ago.”
    “Call this a refresher then.”
    “Grandma, please! We have to get back to the shop.”
    “I’ll see all three of you at my house in two minutes. Don’t be late.”
    The twins looked at me. Now it was my turn to laugh. “That’s what you call Karma.”
     
    Grandma was a tough taskmaster. The test included a mix of practical and written exercises. She focussed mainly on the spells she’d worked through with me: ‘hide’, ‘sleep’ and ‘rain’, but also included a few questions and tests on spells I’d already taught myself. Having the twins there helped keep me calm. When I saw they were struggling too, I didn’t feel quite so bad. The whole thing took just under an hour.
     
    “Right, that’s it!” Grandma announced.
    “Can we go?” Pearl stood up.
    “We have to get back to the shop.” Amber joined her.
    “Sit down!”
    They did as they were told.
    “I’m sure you all want to know the results of the test.”
    No-one spoke.
     
    “Top marks go to—” She paused for effect. “Jill!”
    “Yes!” I yelled, but then put my hand over my mouth. “Sorry.”
    “In second place.”
    The twins exchanged terrified glances. Neither of them wanted to finish in last place.
    “Or should I say, in joint last place,” Grandma continued. “The twins.”
    “Well done, Jill,” Grandma said.
    “Thank you.”
    “No room for complacency though. I expect you to maintain that standard.”
    “I’ll do my best.”
    “And as for you two—”
    “We really should get back—,” Amber began.
    Grandma gave her a look. “And as for you two. There will be consequences.”
    That didn’t sound good.
    “From now on, you’ll both take every test that Jill sits.”
    “But Grandma,” Pearl protested. “We learned this stuff years ago.”
    “And apparently forgot it just as quickly. You should be ashamed of yourselves for allowing a novice witch to outscore you in every department.”
    I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Although I was delighted with my test results, I hadn’t wanted to drop the twins in it.
    “Sorry, Grandma,” Pearl said.
    “Sorry,” Amber echoed.
     
    Outside,