Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths by Holly Bell (good book recommendations TXT) 📗

know you feel responsible, but these people don’t even know you’re their wi—’

‘That isn’t the point, Inspector. The point is that I know.’

She was looking into his eyes with so much sincerity, he knew that Miss Cadabra was utterly committed to this course of action.

He nodded.

‘Very well. Promise me you’ll be careful and get yourself out of there at the first hint of open animosity or danger of any kind.’

‘I promise.’

‘Well … You know, it’s not like you can bring back evidence admissible in court. “Your honour, we have the testimony of a ten-thousand-year-old community counsellor who unfortunately cannot be with us today but has provided a statement written in ... whatever they were speaking back in 8000 BC!”’

This evoked a slight smile from Amanda, as he had intended. ‘I’ll get us a lead to evidence that will be admissible in court,’ she promised, throwing caution to the wind. ‘Please? We have nothing to lose.’

She had won him over, and he was well aware of it.

‘All right, Miss Cadabra. I shall grant you access to the crime scene and aid you in any way that I can.’

‘Thank you, Inspector.’

Chapter 32

Wardrobe Mistresses

Trelawney departed soon after, and Amanda dialled a contact on her phone. She was in luck.

‘Jonathan? …Yes. I’m coming to the library in about 20 minutes. I need your help. We’re going to save Mrs Pagely.’

The eager response was all she had hoped for. With her key person onside, at least provisionally, Amanda hung up and called,

‘Granny, Grandpa!’

Senara and Perran were already standing behind her.

‘Yes, dear,’ said Granny serenely, ‘you shall need a costume. Go up into the attic and look in the larger tan suitcase. Amanda! Don’t try to run up the stairs. There’s time enough. An asthma attack will aid the situation not at all.’

‘Yes, Granny,’ agreed Amanda, abandoning her ambitious progress.

‘I’d better come with you.’

Under the eaves, in the well-lit space, Senara pointed out the desired luggage, under two smaller cases. Mindful that she must conserve her energy for who knew what she might be called upon to do in the depths below, Amanda wisely took out her Pocket-wand.

‘Aereval, sessiblinn … rihthdhou ... sedaasig.’ The luggage floated up, glided to the right, and gently lowered itself to the floorboards.

Now on her knees before the tan case, Amanda opened the one Granny had pointed out.

‘Two layers-of-clothing down,’ instructed Senara. Her granddaughter searched. ‘Yes, that’s the one you want.’

‘This?’ asked Amanda, drawing out and holding up an evening gown of copper satin. She could not resist stroking the smooth silk of the luxurious fabric.

‘Yes.’

‘But, Granny, this is far too elegant. I can’t guarantee I can bring it back in one piece.’

‘It’s all in a good cause. Look on the bottom layer, and you’ll find a coat. Use magic, dear.’

Amanda poked her wand in between the coat and clothes above it, which she instructed them, ‘Aereval.’ Compliantly, the pile rose and she accessed the garment below. She stood up to shake out a floor-length black coat with lapels of fur.

‘It’s beautiful, Granny. You must have looked stunning.’

‘It’s an opera coat.’

Amanda looked at it uncertainly.

‘But I’m sure they didn’t have anything like this thousands of years ago, or even the eleventh century, I would have thought.’

‘Good. It means you’ll have things the Oracle doesn’t. It’ll give you status. Even if it’s just enough to stop her smiting you within the first three minutes.’

‘Thank you, Granny,’ replied Amanda, a touch acerbically. ‘That’s a great comfort.’

‘Come downstairs into my bedroom and try it on.’

Amanda turned her head towards the luggage to tidy up.

‘Sedaasig.’ The hovering stack of clothing sank back down into place. ‘Bespredna.’ The case shut. She’d put the others back later.

‘Have you put the clothes back and closed the case?’ Senara called up the stairs that Amanda was now descending.

‘Yes, Granny.’

‘Good. You never know when you’ll need something else from in there.’

‘Never again, I hope!’ protested Amanda.

‘Well, you never know, dear. Now let’s see you in the gown.’

Soon her grandmother was regarding the effect of the dress.

‘It’s much too long,’ Senara observed. ‘Take one of your Grandpa’s ties. Yes, from the cupboard there. That’s right; tie it around your waist. Good. Now pull the bodice over the top until the length is right.’

Amanda did as she was bid, while Grandpa called from the landing to ask if she was decent.

‘Yes, dear!’ replied Senara. ‘Now, Ammee, take one of my sashes. Excellent. Yes, over the top of the tie. Yes. Black isn’t ideal, but it will do, and it will match the coat.’

‘Should I do up the coat?’ Amanda asked, shrugging into it.

‘No. Leave it open.’

‘It’s dragging on the floor,’ observed Amanda, look down and behind her.

‘Like a train,’ replied Granny approvingly. ‘Makes you look regal.’

Amanda looked at her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. ‘Well, thank you, Granny. This is better than I imagined.’

‘Not at all, dear, but you’re not finished yet. You need jewellery.’

A search-and-locate exercise soon furnished Amanda with bangles, a heavy necklace and a tiara. She grimaced into the mirror.

‘Good grief, Granny, I feel like I’m going to do cabaret!’

Perran chuckled at that.

‘Well, you’re playing a part, bian. A very important part. Mrs Pagely is depending upon it.’

‘By the way,’ added Senara, ‘you are quite right to insist that she is not to be subjected to the indignities of arrest and detention. I was impressed by the stand you took, Amanda, dear. I think the inspector was taken by surprise. Yes, and surprised into saying, yes. In the end, that was what carried your argument, you know.’

‘But now,’ said Perran, ‘you’d better get to the stacks before he changes his mind!’

‘First, Amanda needs footwear, dear. Chalet slippers: bottom drawer. They have the sort of boot-like appearance that should fit the time range.’

‘Thank you, Granny. I’ll take it all off now and then change at the library.’

‘Indeed.’

‘Want us to come along, bian?’ offered Perran.

‘I’ll be fine, thank you, Grandpa,’ answered Amanda, thinking it would be a lot less distracting without their running commentary.

‘Good. I don’t think we’d