shut up! You’ve drunk a lot.»
«Hey you, young lady,» – the first one addressed Alice. «Would you come with me and we’ll have fun together? Why do you need this nerd?»
Alice got pale and pressed into the train seat. Ted jumped to his feet.
«Shame on you! Apologize to the girl right away!»
«Ted, leave them alone! We are to get off pretty soon. Or let’s apply our portal».
«No way! Tykes like them are to be taught a lesson!»
«What was it that made you that mad? The girl is dying of boredom with you. I’m an expert in entertaining such beauties. Come by, you won’t regret!» – He pronounced these words with a cheeky smile and pulled Alice by her hand.
She screamed and Ted pushed the intruder. The ruffian grabbed Ted by his shirt collar and tightly pressed him against the window pane. Ted could not get released and punched the guy. He set Ted free and covered his face with his palms, but in his turn outrageously stroke Ted. Ted lost his balance and fell down. His injured lip was bleeding. The mob started to laugh. Ted got up, pulled out his wand and aimed it at his offender.
«Hafcha!»
At the same moment the scoundrel turned into a pig. A few girls who were sitting in the corner during the whole skirmish began to holler.
«Shit! These are magicians! Let’s run away now!» – Voices were heard in the mob.
The train just stopped at the station and all of them headed by the pig rushed away. Ted directed his wand at the pig and the guy’s previous image was retained.
Ted looked at Alice apologetically.
«I’m sorry… I failed to defend you properly».
«But you didn’t! You immediately plunged to help me. Few are those who would be able to confront five bullies at a time!»
«I knew that any time I could implement magic. Which I actually did, to my great shame».
Alice took a handkerchief out of her purse and touched his lip with it.
«Does it ache?» – She asked with sympathy.
«Not really. My father will heal it tomorrow. We’re to get off now».
The train stopped and they got outside without extra adventures. The train station was not far from Alice’s house.
«I’ll see you off».
«O.K. Leave the handkerchief because the wound is still bleeding».
They arrived at her house. She kissed him on the cheek.
«See you! Take care of yourself!»
«Bye, Alice! We had a good time. When shall we meet again? After all, this coming exam of yours…»
«I’ll call you. For sure!»
«I’ll be waiting impatiently».
«Ted…»
«Yes?»
«You became a true man! Thank you,» – said Alice and entered her front porch.
«Hmm, what did she imply by those words?» —Ted murmured, pressed his portal ring gem and found himself next to his house.
Another Sunday came. Ted knew that his parents had prepared for the meeting with their son the day before; therefore he decided not to linger. He only washed and dressed himself. Even though his appearance left much to be desired: his lip had become swollen and ached a bit.
«No problem, Mom will smear some ointment on it and it will heal soon afterwards».
With the help of his portal Ted got to his parents’ mansion. Lily was the first to notice his arrival and rushed into his arms.
«Ted, at last! I’m so glad to see you!»
«Me too! I got so homesick!»
«You were here a week ago, weren’t you?»
«Yeah, I was. But I am always homesick».
«Then come back. You may transport to your Museum from here as well».
«Right. But in London I feel myself independent».
«I see. Have you fought yet? What happened to your lip?»
«Nothing special. I’ll tell you later. Let’s get in».
Ted embraced his sister by her shoulders and they entered the house.
«Where are the parents?»
«Dad was sent for. Mom is hexing in her lab. Shall I call her?»
«No. She doesn’t like to be disturbed. Let’s sit here and wait».
«So, please tell me what’s wrong with your lip! You have never been in a fight before!»
«Well, I hadn’t defended a girl before».
«Oh, you’ve got a girl-friend? Tell me more».
«Later. I’ll check if I could divert Mom».
«Later is the key word,» – growled Lily discontentedly.
Ted stepped outside the mansion and headed for the garden. There was a small hut there – Mrs. Spencer’s kingdom where she would prepare potions and elixirs. Ted knocked on the door. He knew there were moments when it was a taboo to distract his Mom’s attention from potion making.
«Come in. I’m finished already».
Ted stepped in. Mom rushed to him.
«My dear, you came! I am so happy to see you!»
«As you see, I keep my promises. Every Sunday I am here».
«Good for you! What’s wrong with your face?»
«Nothing special. I tripped and fell down».
«Fell down? People of your age no longer fall down. You rather fought. You didn’t even apply medical ointment».
«Well, frankly speaking, I have no ointment at all».
«What?! No ointment! And after that you think you’re a grown-up and that you can live alone, while there’s no ointment!»
«Frankly speaking, I have no medicine at all».
While she was reproaching Ted, Mrs. Spencer took some ointment out of a closet to anoint his lip.
«Lean forward, as you are already one head taller than I am! Here we go – it will be over in a few minutes. I’m going to supply you with drugs for every possible ailment, for you to take them along with
