‘For my next trick,’ the magician said in a booming voice, ‘I need a volunteer.’

Norah was still dithering when Valerie’s arm shot up beside her.

The magician called Valerie onto the stage and she set off confidently. A warm feeling flooded Norah as she watched her best friend walk up the shallow steps—the same feeling she had when she got an A at school. She was as proud of Valerie’s courage as if it were her own.

‘What’s your name?’ the magician asked her with the hint of a bow.

The girls in the audience giggled.

‘Norah,’ said Valerie.

The children laughed. Valerie was so cheeky she even dared lie to a grown-up.

‘Hello, Norah,’ the magician said and turned to face the audience again.

The real Norah bit her lip.

‘Is there anyone in the audience who would miss this young lady if she went away?’ the magician asked.

Arms strained in the air. Valerie grinned.

‘All right then,’ said the magician. ‘I am going to make Norah disappear.’

He looked at his volunteer and she returned his gaze.

‘But to all those who put up their hands just now—there’s no need to worry; I will bring the young lady back safe and sound from the realm of shadows.’

He raised his arms with a flourish and a cage appeared. Norah hadn’t been quick enough to see where it came from—then she realised there was some kind of hoist under the stage.

‘My dear,’ the magician said, turning to Valerie, ‘this is for you.’

He had conjured a torch from somewhere and pressed it into her hand.

‘This will guide you into the realm of shadows.’

Norah watched, rapt.

‘But whatever happens,’ he added—and there was a sudden tone of urgency in his voice, which Norah hadn’t noticed before—‘do not let go of the torch. Switch it on when I tell you to and be very, very careful not to turn it off. Do you understand?’

Norah saw her best friend nod.

‘May I?’ the magician asked, and he took Valerie’s hand and led her to the cage.

When she was inside, he closed the door with a bolt and padlock and took a step back.

Valerie stood in the middle of the cage, quite calm, her little figure silhouetted against the light. Norah’s heart was pounding as if it were trying to leap right out of her chest. She didn’t know why. She knew it wasn’t real magic; she was old enough to understand that magicians work with tricks and trapdoors and sleights of hand. And yet.

‘My dear,’ the magician said. ‘Do you think you are strong enough to break out of that cage?’

Valerie shrugged.

‘Give it a try,’ said the magician.

Valerie stepped up to the edge of the cage and tried to squeeze her dainty body through the bars, but they were too close together. She shook at the door which the magician had secured with a padlock, but the cage remained locked.