Effie saw Clothilde’s library take shape in her mind. Clothilde described the turquoise and gold wallpaper and the vast paintings of various birds from the Otherworld that were all large and pink.

“Open your eyes,” said Clothilde.

When Effie did, it was Clothilde’s library, not hers, that she saw. She took a step forward, but Clothilde pulled her back.

“We won’t go any further today,” she said. “I know Cosmo’s already told you that what we have in here is the blueprint for all existence. There are books on geometry, physics, music theory, harmony, perspective and so on. Everything that’s real has a corresponding book in here. Books can’t be removed, for obvious reasons. Well, they can, but it’s very unusual and . . . You probably don’t need to know that bit now. New books can be put into the library, but again it’s very complicated, and . . .”

Clothilde was good at many things, but explaining wasn’t one of them. As she talked about something called a Wizard Quest, and the Great Ritual needed for a book to be accepted into the library, and where they put the book on the Great Split, and the problems of visualizing the two different halves of the library, Effie’s stomach started to grumble. So soon after such an amazing breakfast too. This lecture about the Great Library was very interesting, but Effie was particularly looking forward to getting to Frog Hole and doing some shopping. And having lunch out. She wondered what she’d order. Everything that was chocolaty here was really chocolaty. And the marshmallows came in colors that didn’t exist in the Realworld, and they were much softer and sweeter. . . .

“Sorry,” said Clothilde, and blushed. “I’ve been babbling on and on. I’ve never initiated anyone before. I’m probably boring you stiff. We can do the rest next time.”

“No, it’s—”

Clothilde laughed. “You’re very sweet,” she said. “But we should go.”

“Are you sure?” said Effie.

“Yes, we’ve covered most of it, I think. And there’s no test. You just have to learn by doing it all really. Okay. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” said Effie. “Absolutely.”

But as Clothilde locked the library door behind them, Effie felt weak, suddenly, and strange. Was it going to be like last time all over again? She’d had to go to London, where a powerful doctor had given her golden tablets, and—

“Are you okay?” asked Clothilde, seeing Effie hesitate.

“Yes, fine,” Effie replied.