To his credit, MouseEye didn't answer at first, but instead just looked thoughtful. "It's hard to describe. But I'm glad you asked because it's something that should be shared."

  I knew well enough to allow him to speak in his own time. This felt momentous.

  "Let's talk about this cottage. The old witch lived in it, maybe will again, maybe not, but in the past she lived here."

  I nodded but had no idea where this was going.

  "So you came here. You were formerly living in a woodcutter's cottage. Following so far?"

  I didn't see why I wouldn't be, but ok. I nodded again.

  "What do you think would have happened if somebody else had moved in?"

  I had no idea. "Apply to be an apprentice? Go back home? Maybe work with Francie as a domestic?"

  MouseEye nodded. "What if you'd never successfully made it here? Like the wagon was attacked by bandits? Or you had to stay home to take care of your ailing father?"

  I... what? Ailing father? Was he ok?

  "Nonono! I don't know anything about your father, or your mother for that matter. I'm just asking what would've happened to the witch's cottage."

  I was drawing blanks.

  "It would eventually attract a witch. It's a witch's cottage. At some point a witch would live here."

  I nodded slowly.

  "Here's where it gets tricky. What if, at roughly the same time, all the possible people who could live in the cottage did live in this cottage."

  Tricky. He did say "tricky". But he didn't say "impossible". So I did.

  "Well... sort of. Because while you are here and experiencing your life with me, as time goes on there are other witches who are experiencing their lives with their familiars. All at the same time that you are. Unlike most of them, you've just been told that they also live in their cottages, which are their versions of the cottage, and this cottage is your version of the cottage. See?"

  Ah... nope. Not at all.

  "Ok, how about this - I was at one point, and for a very short period of time, in another version of this cottage."

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  I know my face was a complete furrowed mess. So much for a relaxing day. Metaphysics was what I'd really intended.

  "And I brought something back with me. But I didn't know how to tell you who it's from. So... here..."

  Once again, a surprise came out from behind the lean-to. A letter. A small folded up letter. From someone named Pip.

  It said:

  

  Hi I'm Pip

  I'm living in this cottage. It's a bit lonely sometimes.

  Do you want to be penpals?

  Elaborate box for yes. A very plain (and much smaller) box for no.

  It was signed "Your new bestie Pip"

  And then a PS - please check yes.

  And the note was covered in hearts!

  A new bestie? Living here but not here?

  I looked at MouseEye in amazement. "This person is someone else who...?"

  "Mmhmm."

  Wow. So... ok.

  "Can I send a letter back?"

  "Mmhmm."

  Ok. So time to grab a bit of paper, a pencil, and...

  "Sorry. Almost forgot. Here's this..."

  He pulled a reagent I'd never seen before out from where the letter had been. As I looked at it, I asked, "Is there anything else back there I should know about?"

  "No. Not yet, anyway."

  Not yet? Well... I suppose letters can come through there. Anyway - the reagent. A plant, certainly. Maybe it's...

  "Oh yeah - it's called 'Rosemary'. Good for relaxation and something called 'Branching Out'."

  I didn't know what to do with it. It isn't in the witch's notes. How...?

  MouseEye to the rescue. He saw my confusion. "I think the old witch didn't know everything there is to know. You may find this useful when you need to treat someone who has an affliction not on the list."

  Huh. She maybe didn't know everything? The book isn't all there is to witching? I think the ground dropped out from underneath me. Luckily, I was still seated so the ground was close at hand.

  The world swirled around me. Other witches, here but not here? Witches sending me letters from here but not here? I...

  My hand brushed past my tea cup. Newly filled tea cup. MouseEye, with eyes closed and head resting on his paws, was still up on the mantlepiece.

  Surprises indeed.

  "MouseEye? If I write a letter to Pip, will you deliver it?"

  I expected one answer, but didn't receive it.

  "Mmhmm."

  This is what I wrote.

  

  Hi Pip! I'm... call me Sweet!

  You make lovely hearts. I hope you don't mind if I don't make them too.

  I'd love to be your penpal! Tick mark in a Yes box.

  And yes, it is lonely being a witch. But a little less so now that I know you are living here yet not here in the cottage (MouseEye tried to explain it to me but I still don't get it.)

  Your best bestie back!

  Sweet