"What do you mean by that? Are you calling the police?" James asked nervously.
"Well I probably should" Meredith admitted "But I have a much better idea. I have recently received a rather large order from a supplier I wouldn't normally use, one with a reputation for creating very powerful but occasionally somewhat unreliable products. It would be remiss of me to sell them to my valued customers before determining their effects on two willing volunteers."
"So you want us to try out a few pretend magic toys" Nicola snarked, folding her arms in front of her.
"Well, if that's how you want to view it then yes" Meredith replied slyly.
"Fine, if it get you off our backs" Nicola shrugged.
"And how long will this take?" James wanted to know.
"No more than 24 hours" Meredith replied matter of factly.
"A whole day!"
"Well, if you would prefer me to involve the police..."
James and Nicola looked at each other solemnly then nodded at Meredith.
"Excellent!" the older woman clasped her hand together in delight "I thought I'd never get the chance to use these things. Please, follow me behind the counter!"
James and Nicola did as instructed and soon found themselves in a dusty old storeroom that seemed to house more strange and creepy looking items than were on display in the main store.
"Let's get this over with then" Nicola sighed.
"Of course, I'm as keen to get started as you are!" Meredith's demeanour had changed almost completely from before, she was almost like an excitable schoolchild now with an almost literal spring to her step "Now, what to start you off with?"