The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop (26 page)

“Wow, thanks.” Oz often worried about the cost of his violin lessons; it was great to know that they would now be free.

“Lily,” J said, “we’re sending you one of our specialist SMU tutors; she’s an expert in both dyslexia and magic.”

Lily didn’t want another tutor, but had to admit some help would be welcome; she had been getting nervous about the work at their new school. “Thanks.”

“And Caydon, since you’re so fond of adventures in the unexplained, you’ll spend two weeks every summer with our special secret unit of SMU police cadets.”

Caydon punched the air. “WICKED!”

“Finally,” J said, “the PM wanted to do something nice for Edwin.”

The room burst out into loud clapping and cheering; the old ghost elephant was very popular.

“It was tricky,” J went on, “because ghosts don’t want or need anything. We decided to get him this.” He held up a large red beach ball. “Lily, please give this to Edwin with something he’ll really like—a promise that you’ll come and play with him sometimes.”

“Oh—I’d love to!” Lily took the red ball. B62 opened Edwin’s cage and she went inside. “Here you are, Edwin, and I’ll pop in next Saturday if that’s OK—I’ll tell my dad I’m going to ballet.”

The ball was gently knocked out of her hand and began to bounce on the floor and off the walls. Lily spent the rest of the party playing catch with an invisible elephant.

When even Demerara had had enough to eat, it was time to return to Skittle Street and (relatively) ordinary life.

“This has been the most incredible summer ever,” said Caydon.

“Amazing,” Oz agreed, with a mighty yawn.

Just as they were about to leave the kennels, B62 touched Lily’s arm. “Look behind you,” she whispered.

Lily looked over her shoulder, and for one glorious moment saw an elephant standing on his hind legs, twirling a red ball at the end of his trunk.

A moment later he was gone, leaving Lily dazzled.

I’ve seen Edwin, she thought. Oz is safe and Daisy’s here, and I’ve actually seen Edwin; this is probably the happiest day of my life.

She walked out into the sunny morning with the choir of wallpaper roses singing inside her head.

I’d like to thank my helpful nephew Max for reading an early version of this book—and for sending me a great T-shirt that says “Old Fairies Rock” after reading my last book,
Magicalamity
.

The “old Italian novel” that Isadore mentions on
this page
really exists; it’s called
The Betrothed
(
I Promessi Sposi
) by Alessandro Manzoni; if you want to freak out the grown-ups, request it for Christmas.

Kate Saunders has written lots of books for adults and children. She lives in London with her son and her three cats.