The Golden Winged Horse

Chapter 10

For whatever reason, I ignored the red flag of Merron telling me that the dogs were fine to pet. Maybe they were harmless to her kind but dangerous to me for some reason I didn't know yet. I had no ill feeling from her at all so I walked through into her shop, immediately amazed by the crooked little building.

A range of smells hit me first, lavender, spices, herbs, burning incense. Various clutches of plants, in different stages of freshness through to dried, hung from every inch of the ceiling, making me paranoid about hitting them with my head. Every wall was lined with rows of shelves, all carrying jars and jars of assorted ingredients.

In the far corner, where the left wall and the back wall met, a huge black iron cauldron sat there, almost to the brim and bubbling with some sort of creamy liquid. Little green specks floated around the surface, reminding me of chives in a cheese and chive sauce. My stomach grumbled, alerting me to the fact I hadn't eaten for goodness knows how many human hours.

"This is a really cool shop," I said, still taking in everything around me. "I'd love to work somewhere like this back home. Do you do spells and things too?"

Merron spun around. I jumped back in surprise when I saw her green eyes had been replaced with fiery red coals, her face set in a hard stare. Her entire body seemed to have puffed up, as if she were about to explode. "Do I look like a witch to you?"

My heart thudded against my rib cage and I held my hands up in a surrender sign. "I...I meant no offence. It's just where I come from, this kind of shop and witches go hand in hand."

As if I'd just stuck a pin in a balloon, she deflated, and her eyes turned to their original green colour. "I'm sorry," she said, clearing her throat. "Around these parts, witches are not nice people. They curse and cause death. I am quite the opposite of that."

I offered her a faint smile as I wrestled with the idea of running back outside. "Sorry. Duly noted for the future."

"That's quite alright. Now, let's get you some rest and something nice to drink." She stared at my clothes and then tilted her head to one side. "I have a lovely dress I think would look stunning on you. Would you like to try it on?"

"I...I don't have anything to give you for it but thank you anyway."

She waved a hand through the air. "I don't expect anything for it. It's not been used for decades and is just sat there collecting dust. It would be nice to see it being worn again."

I hesitated but felt I'd be being rude if I declined again. What harm could wearing a dress do? "Ok, thank you," I said, giving her my best smile.

At the far right-hand side of the back wall, a small brass knob stuck out, making me realise the shelves and wall gave way to a door. Merron disappeared into the doorway, reappearing seconds later with a beautiful white lace gown. It looked like a wedding dress. Sweetheart neckline, lacy straps, floor length, it really was quite breath taking.

"Oh wow," I said, gasping. "That is gorgeous."

"It is," Merron agreed. "Such a shame to see it going to waste. Come here, let's get this on you."

I all but skipped over to her, almost buzzing with excitement at being able to wear such a pretty dress. I took my t-shirt off and let her put the dress over my head. As it slid down my body, it clung to me like a second skin. The inside of it was lined with silk and it felt so good, so smooth. For a moment, it was like I was royalty.

"Take your trousers off," Merron said, as the bottom of the dress hit the floor. "Then we'll see you for real in it."

I hitched the dress up and undid my jeans, kicking them off with glee. "Have you got a mirror?"