Just to make sure, she’s anointed Sam with home-made Magic Protective Oil. Is it really magic? The more you believe it, the more potent it becomes – or so I’m told. If you truly believe, it’ll make you feel invincible. Your enemies will notice this and because you appear so powerful, they’ll leave you alone and pick on someone weaker. This oil will also protect you from fierce animals. Even if you are frightened the herbs will disguise the smell of fear and they’ll go and tear the throat out of some other poor wretch. The train journey to St Albans is not particularly treacherous unless you eat the stale sandwiches from the buffet car. Even so, the witch won’t take any risks with her young friend. At sunrise, Sam awakes to find her arranging five coloured candles at various compass points on the floor. She lights them with a taper. “Don’t tell me. You haven’t paid your electricity bill and you’ve been cut off,” says Sam.
