don’t have to say anything,” Leila answered.
Theo mussed Ridley’s curls. “I mean, you could say thank you.”
“And that’s not all,” Carter added mysteriously. With a flourish, he was holding one of Mr. Vernon’s top hats—one that had survived the destruction at the magic shop. He tilted it toward her, revealing that it was empty. Even though Ridley knew what was coming, she felt a thrill. Carter held the hat upright, reached inside, and then pulled out a fluffy white rabbit. The animal scrunched up its nose at Ridley.
“My Top Hat!” Ridley clapped, taking her pet into her arms.
“He’s been a very good boy at our new suite up at the resort,” said Leila.
“Top Hat is always a good boy,” Ridley replied. She kissed the rabbit’s forehead. “Aren’t you just?”
“Olly’s a good boy too,” said Izzy, appearing on one side of Ridley.
“And Izzy’s a good girl,” said Olly, showing his freckled face at the other side.
“Yes, but the real question is: Can you disappear inside a magician’s hat?” Leila asked with a grin.
Olly and Izzy gawped at each other. “Why didn’t we think of that before?” cried Olly. “We’ll have to try it!” said Izzy. Together, the twins plopped down onto two seats beside Ridley, shaking their purple coats from their shoulders. Izzy shook so hard, she fell to the floor—an obvious pratfall that sometimes grated Ridley’s nerves, but today she welcomed the silliness.
(The world will always need silliness, my friends.)
“How’s Mr. Vernon?” Ridley asked. “And the Other Mr. Vernon?”
“Everyone is doing well,” said Leila. “My dad keeps saying, ‘Hope springs eternal.’ I’m not sure if it’s another of his secret messages to us, or if it’s just another of his philosophies. Either way, I’m sure they would both wish you a fond hello, if they knew that we were meeting today.”
Carter raised an eyebrow, then whispered, “I’m pretty sure they know we’re meeting today. They always seem to know.”
Ridley’s stomach lurched as the reality of the Misfits’ situation came crashing back down on her. As happy as the last few moments with her friends had felt, she had to tell them what had happened earlier in the day. She cleared her throat. “I didn’t win the inventors’ fair.”
“So what?” said Leila. “We’re still proud of you!”
“You don’t understand,” Ridley answered. “Something bad happened this morning. Something that has to do with all of us. I think that K—”
“Do not say it,” Theo whispered, as if to himself.
But Ridley had to say it. She held back a shudder.
“I think Kalagan is back.”
HOW TO…
Transform a Quarter into a Penny
I know… I know! What an inopportune time to be teaching you a new magical skill. That said, I find I always appreciate a diversion after the name Kalagan is uttered. Let’s put him out of our minds for a few moments and learn a trick that Ridley would particularly enjoy: how to transform one kind of coin into another—right in the palm of your hand!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
A silver quarter or large coin
A copper penny or a small coin of a different color
A piece of double-sided tape
A tabletop
TO PREPARE:
Stick a small piece of double-sided tape to the palm of your right hand. (Make sure you don’t wave or shake hands with anyone and accidentally reveal the tape.)
STEPS:
1. Present the quarter to your audience in the palm of your left hand, while also quickly showing them that you have nothing in your right.
SECRET MAGIC MOVE:
The penny should be completely hidden underneath the quarter.
2. Wave your right hand slowly over the coins. Wiggle your fingers and say something magical.
3. Bring your right hand down so that the double-sided tape sticks to the quarter.
4. Lift your right hand with the quarter now stuck to it, revealing the penny in your left palm. (While looking at the penny, flick the quarter off your right hand and into your lap—somewhere it won’t make noise when it lands!)
5. Hold up the penny for your audience to admire. Look as surprised as they are.
6. Take a bow!
FOUR
“Kalagan?” Olly blurted out.
Ridley nodded.
“I’m getting really sick of that guy,” Izzy muttered.
(Friends, so am I. So. Am. I.)
“What happened at the fair?” asked Carter.
“Everyone take a seat, and I’ll tell you.” The others pulled chairs close. As Ridley spoke, she felt like she was sharing a scary tale. She leaned forward, the glow from the flashlights beaming up from below. They all listened in horror as Ridley described how Mrs. Maloney had destroyed her invention.
“That’s so awful!” said Leila.
“Were you hurt?” asked Theo.
Olly and