Chapter 6

Chapter SIX Waking up the next morning, I was surprised to find myself in Edith's bed, but then the memories of our midnight feast came flooding back. I stuck my foot into the air and wiggled my toes, watching how the iridescent nail polish glimmered and gleamed. 'Ah, you're awake!' said Carlotta, sounding pleased.

'Don't wake me yet!' moaned Edith, pressing her pillow over her head and rolling over. Carlotta and I slipped out of bed and hurried out of the room, leaving Edith to sleep a bit longer. 'You know,' said Carlotta as we went down the stairs, 'I don't really feel hungry for breakfast at all!' 'Breakfast?!' said Mr Cobweb as we arrived down in the kitchen. 'It's lunchtime now, girls! I'm just about to make it.' Carlotta and I glanced at each other, sharing a secret look. It had been a magical night!

'Why don't you go and wake Edith?' suggested Mrs Cobweb, who was busy sweeping the floor. 'I know she likes to sleep in at the weekends, but really! This takes the bog- biscuit!' Carlotta turned and made as though to walk back up the stairs— but then she stopped. 'I think Edith needs her space this morning,' Carlotta said. 'I'm sure she'll come down when she's ready.' Mrs Cobweb looked surprised.

'Hmm. Maybe you're right,' she said after a moment. 'She is a teenager now after all. You two had better go and get dressed for... What are you planning to do today?' 'We were hoping to earn some money,' I said. 'Ooh yes!' said Carlotta. 'Have you got any odd jobs for us?'

'Money?' said Mrs Cobweb. 'Whatever for?' I was about to make up an excuse, but then I remembered everything that had happened the night before. Things would have been made right much sooner if I had owned up straight away.

'I broke Edith's crystal ball, Mr and Mrs Cobweb,' I said in a rush. 'By mistake. And now I want to replace it.' 'It wasn't just Mirabelle's fault either,' added Carlotta, loyally. 'I see!' said Mrs Cobweb but she didn't look cross. 'Thank you for being honest, Mirabelle. I'm sure it was an accident, and it's very sweet that you want to replace it. I wonder what jobs we could get you both to do...' An excited look came over her face. 'My broomstick could do with a polish!' she said. 'And the bathroom needs scrubbing. So does the hot tub now that I think about it. And the nettles could do