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him.
    ‘Nora left this so it must be alright for you to use it. You can get my wand out now. It’s the key, look, it says THE Cupboard on the label.’
    Jack looked at the key carefully. He put his hand in his pocket and felt the shape of the key inside. They were identical. He tried not to let Camelin see his smile.
    ‘That’s OK, I’ll open the cupboard for you,’ said Jack as he picked up the key.
    ‘You will! Aw Jack, that’s great, you’re a real pal.’
    Jack started walking towards the three small cupboards.
    ‘Where are you going? It’s this way,’ croaked Camelin.
    ‘I think you’ll find your key opens this door,’ said Jack as he bent down and unlocked the cupboard with the faint letter T on the front.
    ‘But it says THE Cupboard, and Nora left it out.’
    ‘Nora left it for me, and I think you’ll find THE is Nora’s abbreviation for Third Herb Extract cupboard.’
    Camelin humphed loudly.
    ‘You mean it’s not my key?’
    ‘No, it’s not.’
    ‘But what about my wand?’
    ‘Only Nora can decide when you’re ready to have it back.’
    ‘It’s all right for you, you’ve got yours. Can you try and magic it open?’
    ‘I don’t think so.’
    ‘You’re no fun any more. That wand’s gone to your head.’
    Before Jack could reply Camelin took off, swerved past him and disappeared through the open door.
    ‘Oh dear!’ said Jack, as Fergus and Berry came out from behind the dresser. ‘I didn’t mean to upset him.’
    ‘He’s been like that all week,’ explained Berry.
    ‘He’ll be fine when it’s teatime,’ squeaked Fergus.
    Jack laughed. He knew the little rat was right. He wondered how long Nora was going to be. He didn’t want to feed Camelin too early but there was no reason why he couldn’t take Medric and Gerda’s food to them now.
    ‘I’m going over to the island. Do you two want to come?’
    Both rats shook their heads.
    ‘Things to do,’ said Fergus, as he stood to attention. ‘Things to do.’
    Jack smiled. He knew Fergus was mimicking Motley.
    ‘We’ve been left a list of jobs too, so we’d better get on with them, or we’ll be in trouble again if they’re not done by the time Motley and the others get back,’ explained Berry.
    ‘See you later,’ said Jack, but there was no reply, the two little rats had already gone.

    The bucket of grain was heavier than Jack had imagined it would be. He struggled with it to the edge of the lake and eventually managed to get it into the boat without spilling too much. He sat down under the willow tree for a few moments to get his breath back. He’d never rowed a boat before and it looked a long way to the island.
    Jack tried to push the boat into the water, he heaved and shoved but the boat wouldn’t move. Maybe he ought to go and get Grandad but he didn’t want to admit defeat so easily. He held up his wand and then hesitated. He’d been told to use it wisely and he didn’t know if transporting a bucket of grain across the lake would count as a good use of magic. Maybe he could just use his wand to help him get the boat into the water and start rowing once he was afloat. He looked around to make sure no one was watching, stepped into the boat and pointed his wand towards the front. He focused his thoughts into a request, ‘I need help to get the boat to the island.’
    The boat began to rock violently from side to side. Jack wished he’d sat down before he’d spoken. He staggered to gain his balance and ended up banging his knee on the bucket. There was a sudden jolt as the boat left the shore and hit the water. Jack didn’t have time to pick up the oars, he just managed to grab the seat and steady himself before the little boat began speeding towards the middle of the lake.
    ‘Slow down!’ he yelled. ‘Slow down!’
    He really must think very carefully before he used his wand again and make sure he gave better instructions. The boat slowed gracefully and ran ashore onto the sloping bank of the island’s