Adam stays at home.

Adam had opted not to come to the pub, much to the relief of Susannah. She was frustrated to receive a text message from her daughter who was apparently not coping well fulfilling her role in the pub. Susannah had made an agreement with Helen that the two of them would swap bodies for the day. This was largely to make up for the fact that Helen had found a spellbook that was actually real and not told her mother straight away. Susannah supposed that she would have done the same had she been in her daughter's position, the lure of having all this power to yourself was intoxicating. But through a bit of emotional ****, Susannah had managed to convince Helen to relinquish control of the book (and her body) for the day.

The walk to the pub was a short one, but Susannah took her time. She was enjoying the feeling of possessing her daughter's younger and lighter body. Though she kept herself in good shape, her body was starting to feel the effects of nearing 50. To be free of the odd aches and pains was liberating. Susannah wondered whether Helen was regretting her decision to agree to the swap. The fact that she had texted for help suggested she was.

As Susannah reached the outside of the Fisherman's Arms, she realised that she wouldn't be able to enter through the staff entrance as she would ordinarily. Tutting at the minor inconvenience, Susannah pushed open the heavy door to enter into the main bar room. The pub seemed to be fairly quiet for an early Sunday evening. 'How can Helen be having any issues with this few customers,' Susannah thought, as she scanned the largely empty tables. As she approached the bar the problem became apparent. Behind the bar, Susannah spotted a scruffy teenage boy she knew was Paul's nephew. The kid had no skill at pulling pints and refused to help with any cleaning. As a co-owner of the pub, Paul would regularly bring his nephew in to cover a shift despite knowing he was more trouble than he was worth.

"Thank God you're here!" Susannah turned to see her own body approaching her, hair all over the place and clothes soaking wet.

"What the hell happened to you?" Susannah asked, laughing at the state her daughter had got her body in.

"Someone wouldn't help out with changing a barrel, so I got lumbered with it." Helen explained. She stared daggers at the teenager who lazily propped himself up against the wooden bar. "I tried to work it out myself but made a mess of it. I got there eventually after remembering how to do it."

"But you've never... oh! Of course. You've worked in pubs for decades," Susannah exclaimed.

"Indeed I have, Helen. Once I reminded myself of that fact, things became a little easier. I still can't get rid of him though."

"And how do you think I can help?" Susannah said, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought you might be able to work a little magic," Helen muttered with widening eyes. "You've had all afternoon to read, right?"

"I might have done some light reading after Adam and I... tidied up the kitchen." Susannah went a little red and broke eye contact with her daughter.

"Why did you pause then?" Helen urged, looming over her mother in her now much taller body. "You didn't?!" she suddenly gasped, the ball apparently dropping.

"We'll talk about it later," Susannah hissed, feeling a little ashamed.

"We certainly will! Now do something about him," Helen almost barked, crossing her arms.

Pleased her daughter was willing to hold off on the interrogation for now, Susannah walked up to the bar and recalled the new spell she had learnt only an hour or so ago. It had suggested that it could manipulate the target to follow the caster's instructions. Perhaps she could use the spell to convince Paul's nephew to go home.

"Hello, young man," she said, failing to recall the dopey boy's name. "I think it's time you went home." Susannah pushed the words into the kid's head with her magic and hoped for the best. Without hesitation, Paul's nephew nodded and immediately made to exit the pub. He clumsily clambered over the bar and then shuffled out, letting the door thud shut.

"Wow." Helen said, patting Susannah on the back. "Thanks for that. But since we're one person short, why don't you help me behind the bar?"

Susannah opened her mouth to complain, but stopped upon seeing the expression on the face that until this afternoon had been her own. "Ok, mum," she said passively.

"And once we're finished for today you can tell me all about what you and Adam got up to after lunch."