“Your homework, I know.” JP held up his hands in mock surrender. Well if you come upstairs and help me choose my outfit, then I promise I won’t bother you any more after that.”

“All right,” said Lexy, sighing. “But please can we agree that it will only take five minutes? I really, really need to do some work.”

“Agreed,” said JP, starting to walk up the stairs. “Although I thought you’d be more fun to babysit than this. I’d imagined we might try on some outfits, then maybe bake some brownies, do a bit of magic, watch an unsuitable film, toast marshmallows. . . . Anyway, we’ll start with the outfits and then maybe you’ll loosen up a bit and join in with some other fun activities. Perhaps I’ll show you some magic anyway. Magic that involves the sacrifice of a small kitten perhaps? Haha! Only joking.”

Lexy followed JP up the stairs. Why was she doing what he was telling her? Because he had promised to leave her alone after this. But did she believe him? Not really. Why was she just so weak all the time? Okay, he’d given her no actual choice, but even so. Lexy felt sick inside. This kind of thing surely wouldn’t happen to her friends. Effie would pull a sword on anyone who tried to make her do something she didn’t want to do. Raven would say something kind but firm and then get on her broomstick and fly away. But Lexy was different. Why? What was so feeble and different about her that meant JP had chosen her to torment? Lexy wondered if she would ever like herself again. How could she stop this? Maybe if she gave JP what he wanted, eventually he’d get bored and focus on something else. But that was so wet and weak.

Lexy suddenly felt very tired.

“Come on little lady,” said JP. “I know how much you want to see me in my special outfit—don’t pretend otherwise by dawdling.”

JP was opening the door to the spare room. Lexy turned toward her own room. Maybe he’d forget that he wanted to show her something if she just slipped away. If only her door had a lock. Perhaps she could pretend to be sick. It wouldn’t really be pretending—she was pretty sure she was on the verge of being sick now anyway.

“Right, in you come,” said JP, taking Lexy’s arm.

And before she knew it, Lexy was walking through the door to his room rather than her own.