By dawn the next day, the mission could not be delayed any longer. Kitty didn’t seem to mind the fuss: she spent the whole night purring away in bed with Hanna.
After breakfast, Hanna finally mustered her courage, took Kitty in her arms, and headed towards 58 Flower Street.
To her surprise, both the gate and the entrance to the house were wide open, as if she were expected.
Overcoming her fear, Hanna started along the path and entered the house.
“Thank you for bringing Kitty back” said a sudden voice, making Hanna flinch, as she did not see anyone in the kitchen where she stood.
There was something simmering in a big pot on the stove, and the whole kitchen seemed mysterious, dark and weird, full of objects Hanna had never seen before. There were dried plants hanging from the ceiling, and a raven was preening itself in the kitchen window: at first, Hanna thought that was where the voice had come from.
Suddenly, Hexy appeared behind her in person. Her messy hair was not covered by a hat this time, and she had a very friendly face.” ““I knew right away that you alone would have the courage to bring him back. I could have cured him, but I’m glad you took him to a vet,” said Hexy, as he took Kitty from Hanna’s arms and put him on one of the chairs covered with soft blankets.
“You won’t need those; you can throw them away” she said as he pointed to the box of painkillers in Hanna’s hand. “Would you like to take a seat? I’ll make you some hot cocoa.”
Hanna looked around for a place to sit in the cluttered kitchen, but the old woman pre-empted her.
“That’s your seat” she pointed to a carved chair with purple floral upholstery. Hanna was about to open her mouth to ask what kind of flowers they were, but Hexy was faster once more.
“Lotuses, just like in the carvings on the armrest. In the East, this flower represents rebirth and the Universe. It’s the flower of the gods. Take a seat, I’ll get your cocoa in a minute.”
Hanna had absolutely no idea what to think. She had even less of an idea what to say, so she chose to remain silent. She was still a little scared, but she really got terrified when she saw the wooden spoon stirring the soup in the pot on the stove by itself.” ““Now you’re probably wondering how my soup can stir itself. Well, if you only knew that your hot cocoa made itself!” Hexy laughed, setting down a strange mug shaped like a crow’s head in front of Hanna. The cocoa was heavenly: the brown sludge made from cocoa powder in the shops didn’t even come close to its taste.
The old woman herself sat down opposite Hanna.
“Ask me anything you like. I feel like talking today, and I’m grateful to have Kitty back.”
“What’s that… over there?” asked Hanna, pointing to a strange object resting precariously on the serving tray.
“That’s a horse’s hoof. It has a nickel horseshoe, see?” pointed Hexy. “It’s for good luck. Back in the day, when their favourite horse died, landlords used to cut off its hoof and put the hoof in nickel. Don’t be afraid, it’s just a horn!”
Hanna turned the object in her hand filled with doubt. She had no idea what it was all about, but her fear was slowly being overcome by curiosity.
“And that one? The blue thing?” She pointed to a rectangular box on the table.
“Cards for readings. Do you want me to tell your fortune?”” “Humming, Hexy leaned over the deck. Hanna was enchanted by the mysterious cards with their strange designs, and she went from one to another in amazement as the old woman talked.
“They are telling me you don’t have many friends. You’re trying hard, but there’s a boy… who treats you badly, and teases you all the time. I also see that you read a lot and have a very good heart. You think you’re a coward, but you’re actually a very brave little girl. Now, now! It looks like something will happen this summer. Something important that will have great implications.”
Hanna had no idea of what would happen.
“Will something happen to me? Or to the others?”
“A little bit of both” Hexy replied. “I also see a lot of smoke, explosions, and danger. All right, that’s enough for today,” said Hexy, putting the deck away as she stood up.
“It’s time for you to go home. Your parents must be waiting for you. You can come another time if you want. I can teach you how to make a healing potion if you like.”
“Goodbye” the raven squawked, and flew out of the window.” ““As it’s 20th August today, everyone is watching the fireworks in the evening. We will say that everyone has eaten the yellow berries from the bush at the end of the street and we are all feeling sick so we can’t go” Patrick outlined the plan to the others.
“I found smoke bombs and firecrackers in Dad’s garage. First, we drop the smoke bomb, then we break into the house from several sides and make the old hag leave. All water guns will be needed!”
“You must not say a word to Hanna about our plan!” Benny added. “She’s been getting on remarkably well with the old woman lately, she might give us away.”
“The main thing is to get the house back and drive Hexy away, so she never wants to come to our neighbourhood again. It’s our God given right” Patrick concluded with emotion.
“We’ll meet in the evening in front of the forest, where I’ll distribute the weapons to everyone and we’ll discuss the detailed battle plan” Benny added, and then the kids dispersed.
Meanwhile, Hanna, who had become a regular visitor to the house, was studying a book of witchcraft potions in Hexy’s kitchen.