Free The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders Page A

“Actually, you’re already a bit better than Oz.”
    “Good,” Lily said. “It’s my turn to be better at something.”
    Caydon flipped his skateboard with his foot. “It must be hard work, having a genius brother. Are you jealous?”
    “Not exactly—I don’t want to play the violin. But I do get sick of always being the stupid one. At our old school they called us Pinky and the Brain—like the cartoon.”
    “Oh, I know,” Caydon said. “One is a genius, the other’s insane.”
    “That’s the one.”
    “Look, you’re always going on about being stupid.” Caydon was serious. “But I think that must mean you’re quite clever.”
    “Really?”
    “My dear Lily, of course you are!” a yowling voice said.
    “Demerara!” Lily cried joyfully. She bent down to stroke her fur. “Where have you been?”
    “I’ve been studying Pierre’s magic books in my flat. I’ve found a spell that will help Oz.”
    “Oh—that’s wonderful! When can we do it?”
    “Does J know?” Caydon asked.
    For a moment, the furry face was shifty. “J doesn’t need to know—I don’t have to tell him every little thing!”
    Lily was impatient. “Let’s do it now—whatever it is.”
    “I don’t want to get too technical,” Demerara said, “but it’s a divining spell—that means I will receive a signal that will lead me to Oz.”
    “Hang on,” Caydon said. “If it’s that easy, why didn’t you do it when Oz disappeared?”
    “Because it’s COMPLICATED!” Demerara hissed. “I had to turn over my flat to find a certain magic cacao bean—it took me ages and my claws are RUINED! But I found it, and now I’m ready to do the spell.” She opened her mouth wide, and they saw a long brown bean on her tongue. “I’m keeping it safe in my cheek. Come along, we’ve wasted enough time.” She whisked round and trotted across the road.
    Just as she reached the other side, a man walked past with a big dog on a leash.
    The dog barked loudly at Demerara, who gave a shriek of fright—followed by a shriek of annoyance.
    Lily and Caydon crossed the road to join her.
    “Slight change of plan,” Demerara said crossly. “I’veSWALLOWED the dratted thing! It was all that dog’s fault.”
    Lily’s heart sank. “Does that mean we can’t do the spell?”
    “Not now, I’m afraid. We’ll have to wait until it comes out of me. What a nuisance.”
    “But—we don’t have time! We have to help Oz!”
    “I’m sorry, dear,” Demerara said. “At least we know the bean is safe.” She sat down on the pavement. “I feel slightly faint with hunger—someone get me a can of Whiskas!”
    “I don’t have any money,” said Lily.
    “I do,” Caydon said. “I’ll get it.” Though he teased the uppity cat, he was fond of her. “What flavor would you like?”
    “Chicken—or salmon, if they don’t have that—goodness, how queer this feels!”
    “Demerara?” Lily bent down to stroke her head. “Are you OK?”
    The words died in her throat as she watched, transfixed.
    The cat was growing. First she was the size of a panther, then a lion—and still her paws and claws grew, and her sharp teeth grew, and her mighty hindquarters swelled, until she towered over them, the size of a full-grown elephant.
    “Good gracious!” Demerara cried. “I’m GIGANTIC—I don’t look fat, do I?”
    Caydon found his voice. “What’ve you done? What’s happened?”
    “It must be something to do with that magic bean. Let’s hope I shrink back soon.”
    A young man stepped out of the supermarket. He gaped at Demerara, the color draining from his face. A moment later a woman with a baby buggy walked round the corner and let out a loud scream.
    “She’s VISIBLE!” groaned Caydon. “Now what do we do?”
    Lily was still stunned by the sight of the giant cat—beautiful as ever, but suddenly more like a dangerous wild animal.
    The dumbfounded young man dashed back into the shop. “Call the police!”
    The woman with the baby kept