The Courage of Cat Campbell by Natasha Lowe Page A

Poppy whispered. “You know I didn’t mean magic.”
    â€œBut why?” Cat said in frustration. “Why do you hate magic so much? You never talk about it, Mamma.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “You chose not to be a witch. Isn’t that why you dropped out of Ruthersfield? You liked making cakes instead of magic?”
    â€œIt’s not that simple, Cat.” Poppy shook her head again. “You don’t understand. And the answer’s still no.”
    â€œPlease,” Cat said, turning to Marie Claire. “Tell her, Marie Claire. It’s my choice.”
    â€œI do think Cat has a point,” Marie Claire said quietly.
    â€œI don’t want to talk about this now,” Poppy said, glancing at her customers. “There are people here waiting to buy things.”
    â€œI think it’s about time Poppy told Cat the truth,” Maxine murmured to Mrs. Plunket. “We’ve all held our tongues for too long.”
    â€œWhat truth?” Cat looked from Maxine to her mother. “What does she mean, Mamma?”
    â€œMaxine Gibbons, this is not your business,” Poppy snapped, her face drained of color. She sniffed the air. “I smell gingerbread burning.” And without meeting Cat’s gaze, she hurried through to the kitchen.
    â€œWhat is it?” Cat said, turning to Maxine.
    Maxine moistened her lips, and Mrs. Plunket put a hand on her arm. “Best not to say anything, Maxine.”
    â€œPlease don’t,” Marie Claire said rather fiercely, and all the customers murmured their agreement.
    Maxine’s cheeks puffed. Her lips quivered and her nose twitched. She looked as if she were about to explode. “Your mother didn’t drop out of Ruthersfield,” she burst out. “Poppy was expelled. Expelled for doing something so dreadful it still makes my blood run cold when I think about it.” Maxine’s words gathered speed like a snowball rolling down a hill. “She turned her own parents to stone. Left them standing outside in the cold for years.” Maxine rolled her eyes skyward. “Poor Edith and Roger! Can’t imagine what that must have been like for them. And it wasn’t just her parents either. Your mother went around town turning everything to stone. Animals, birds, policemen. Poppy was crazed, out of control. None of us were safe in our beds. We were all so petrified. I didn’t sleep a wink for nights on end. Ohh, it was terrifying.” Maxine’s eyes gleamed with the sheer delight of telling. “I’ve always thought it was wrong to keep that from you,” she added.
    Cat stared at Maxine, a sick, clamminess creeping over her.
    â€œGreat job, Maxine!” Ted Roberts, the postman, remarked, giving Cat a sympathetic look. “I’m sure Poppy would be proud of the way you handled that.”
    â€œWell!” Maxine fiddled with the collar of her coat. “Cat was going to find out sooner or later.”
    â€œAnd how lovely it came from you!” Ted Roberts said sharply. “You take everything that woman says with a grain of salt, Cat. This town adores your mother. And none of us are perfect, are we? We’ve all done things we’re ashamed of.”
    â€œIndeed we have,” Marie Claire said, giving Maxine a pointed look. “Now, isn’t it time for you to be on your way, Maxine Gibbons?”
    â€œWell,” Maxine said with a sniff. “If that’s all the thanks I get for being honest . . .” And she marched toward the door.
    â€œWait!” Cat called after her, suddenly finding her voice. “I don’t believe a word of it, Maxine. My mother’s a wonderful person. She would never do any of those things.” As Maxine banged the door shut behind her, Cat shouted out, “You’re a horrible old bat.”

    â€œHonestly,” Marie Claire grumbled, wrapping an arm around Cat’s waist. “If I had