'A Letter from Honeysuckle Harebell'~ 22nd August 1908

Magic Deniers Protest

Dear Millicent,

Thank you for your note, albeit short. I was honoured you had the strength to put pen to paper at all in your circumstances. Still holding on. Bravo!

I seem to have caused a bit of a stink in the village, at my refusal to attend the ‘Magic Deniers’ Rally, Miss. Peaseblossom organised, but I had no intention of being any party to it.

I mentioned to Miss Pratt, Persephone as I know her , but they are going by the name Percy now, that I unfortunately was going to be away, visiting my great Aunt Mildew, in Baden Baden, and couldn't possibly deny Magic & wave any placards. But it was a ruse ! I had no intention of going to Baden Baden. Certainly not after last time. I intended to stay home and prepare for the first meeting of 'The Tea Time Club' ! Yes, I am putting my money where my mouth is Millicent and taking action.

Invite to The Tea Time Club

The adorable Violet Shrews is now helping me in this endeavour. You must remember her. She is the one who always has some creature about her personage, Hedgehog in pocket, Bees in bonnet, that sort of thing. She also has a printing press in her outhouse. Handy.

Miss. Violet Shrews

So far we are a merry band of two, but I am sure when word gets out there are others who will join with us to support the cause of all things ‘Magical’. But, of course, it’s all very 'hush hush' because I am now 'persona non gratis' in the village. I may sound paranoid Millicent but as you know, when you have to make plans one has to do it - syrupticously!

However, during my concealment, I was wrestling with writers blockage and was easily sidetracked by what was occurring in the garden. There I was, peeking through the curtains, marvelling at the spectacle of Ants herding Aphids onto a Foxglove, when something caught my eye. It was the Vicars Cat. (You may remember, it had been missing and now has a price on its head - possibly  ) There it was, large as life, in my garden. I hurriedly tried to tempt it inside with a tin of Pilchards before anyone could see me.

Enticement

But then, I found myself in a bit of a pickle. I could not leave the house to return the Cat when I was supposed to be in Baden Baden. And if I did, I would be targeted by Peasblossom and the Vicar might assume I had been hiding the blessed thing all along in order to claim the reward, whatever that may be. Therefore, I had to stay put and keep tight hold of the cat. Unfortunately due to my allergy it has been a difficult week.

Apologies Millicent I realise you are in prison through your strong commitment to Votes for Women and my incarceration is purely self inflicted but I now understand a bit of what you must be going through.

One good thing - Percy called round and whispered through the letterbox.

Psst !

They said the rally had become violent and they didn’t feel they could support Peaseblossom any further. They guessed I was in hiding, wouldn’t tell a soul, but would like to join our cause as they still believed in Magic. They left some scones on the step.

Now there are three members of the Tea Time Club, all of the belief that Magic is everywhere and cannot and must not be stamped out. How thrilling!

Tempers Fugit Millicent. Now I am free, I must attend my Plumbago ( Sorry didn't mean to rub it in, stay strong. )

Best wishes & allergic felicitations,

Honeysuckle Harebell

X

P.s. Correction- surreptitiously.

P.p.s. I take it all back about the scones

P.p.p.s. I have lost the Cat!

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