The Cut-Throat Cafe

You are to do two things, and two things only.’ Angelique Squerr tossed her long hair, dark except for a stripe of red down one side. ‘You sit inside this cafe and you wait for me to come back. You do not cause any trouble.’

Seth Seppi knew that when a magical friend gave you instructions you should always pay attention. But he was entranced by the yellow umbrellas sprouting from circular tables that spilt out in front of the Scrumdiddlyumptious Cafe. Their fluttering made it look as if a cloud of giant butterflies had landed in this corner of The Forum, a rather grimy and gloomy cobbled square in the centre of this interesting town.