style="font-size:15px;"> «Well, my job is to guide tours,» – Ted put in a word. «Even though I thought it would be much worse and that I’d be forced to learn each and every exhibit description by heart. It so happened that they tell their life stories by themselves».
«Who tells stories?» – Leo did not understand.
«The magicians do. To be more exact, their ghosts rather».
«Hopefully, non-magicians won’t be frightened to death, will they? They must have got used to such tricks, right?» – Emma gave a short laugh.
«No way. They are amazed!»
«I have been employed in my Dad’s shop of magic accessories,» – said Leo.
«Don’t you cheat on your customers!» – Ted made a joke.
«How can I?» – Notes of indignation sounded in Leo’s voice. «They will immediately turn me into a frog! After all, all our clientele are magicians. Besides, the shop is located in Magic-Cross».
The party went on cheerfully. Everyone was laughing and making jokes.
«Ted!» – exclaimed Steven. «I’ve got an interesting piece of news for you. The Magistrate has decided to allow rank-and-file spectators to be present at the Knightly Magicians’ Joust. Have you applied yet? You were our school champion, after all».
«Really?! Great! I will definitely come over there and find out. I would be most pleased to participate».
«Sure, Ted! In case you need my help, I will be always glad to lend you my helping hand!» – offered Jeffrey.
«Thanks! You have always watched me fighting and your advice has been very helpful and to the point».
«I have also been a member of your fan-club, Ted».
«Have you, Alice? I would never guess».
Ted and Jeffrey exchanged glances.
«Of course, I have, Ted!»
«Sign up, Ted! All of us will come to cheer you up. Jeffrey, what about the dancing part?» – asked Herbert.
«You want to dance? No questions asked!»
Jeffrey turned up the music and came towards Jane.
«May I invite you for a dance?»
«You definitely may».
Ted took advantage of Alice sitting close to him.
«May I invite you?»
«With pleasure!»
They proceeded to the middle of the hall and Ted embraced the girl by her waist. There was a slow tune on and Ted enjoyed the evening and his touching the girl he had been long in love with. He felt that he was the happiest person in the world.
«Ted, didn’t you want to say something to me while we were near the pool?»
«Yes. We were discussing spare time. After all, despite getting ready for the examinations you must have a rest from time to time, mustn’t you?»
«Certainly».
They were approached by Leo.
«Excuse me, Ted! There are fewer girls at the party tonight. Would you mind if I dance with Alice a little?»
«Feel free».
Ted smiled at Alice and loosened his embrace. Only a minute ago he was happy, but at the moment he felt frustrated. Would he be capable of inviting her for a date? Ted sat down on the sofa and began observing the dancing pairs. Soon afterwards he got sick and tired of watching Alice dancing with each and every classmate of theirs, one after another. He therefore left for the swimming pool. However, the bench there was occupied. A couple was sitting and hugging on it. Ted was quite surprised to recognize Jeffrey and Emma.
«Look at you! You too keep your own secrets which you do not want to share with your best friend!» – he thought.
Ted turned around and stealthily returned to the house, unwilling to be seen by anyone. What a miracle! He suddenly saw Alice who was sitting on the sofa with a magazine in her hands. She might have got bored of too much dancing. He came up to her and landed in an arm-chair right in front of her.
«At last you are alone!»
«Yes, I am. You were always willing to tell me something, but you were interrupted all the time».
«I would like to invite you to dinner».
Eventually he dared pronounce that and now he was excited awaiting her response. Alice looked at him with surprise, paused for a while and then smiled.
«Why not, Ted? It would be my pleasure».
Ted felt as if a heavy load had been taken off his heart.
«You can hardly imagine how glad I am that you agreed!»
«I am most pleased! Where and when?»
«What about the restaurant „At the Three Magicians“? At eight o’clock».
«Tomorrow?»
«Yes».
«All right. But I don’t know where it is located».
«It is in Magic-Cross. You know, the place where just magicians are let in. At around eight I will be waiting for you near your house and we’ll move there together».
«Done».
Jeffrey came back to the room. All by himself. Seeing Ted and Alice he raised his eye-brows, as if asking, «How was it?» Ted smiled and nodded. Then Jeffrey turned to Ted,
«Ted, may I kidnap you for a sec? Or are you busy? It’s not that urgent».
Ted nodded to Alice,
«Excuse me. I’ll be right back».
They stepped outside.
«So, how goes it?»
«Everything’s fine. We are having dinner tomorrow».
«Good job! I was more than sure you would succeed. Beware of the following: once you have trapped a bird, don’t release it!»
«Well, I haven’t really trapped anyone yet! But I saw that you had trapped one already, bud».
«Me? Who?»
«Emma. I am sorry, man, but I occasionally spotted you two».
«Oh, no. that was just for fun. Nothing serious. O.K., get back to Alice, unless she gets bored in oblivion».
They returned home. Ted sat down by Alice, but she rose and looked at her watch.
«It’s
