As Elspeth sat at the bus stop with James, who was now not much more than half the size he had been when they left, she couldn't help but chuckle at her unfortunate companion.
"I don't find this funny you know" James looked up at Elspeth in annoyance, though the voice she had given him made his complaint sound like a childlike strop.
"Oh, don't be such a sulk" Elspeth chided "I'm not some wicked witch you know. I'm just having a bit of fun with you. Though if you keep getting embarassed so easily there won't be much left of you to have fun with"
James was about to answer back when the bus prematurely ended the exchange with it's arrival. As it pulled up James noticed for the first time just how much smaller he had become. The steps he had barely even regiateres earlier now took some effort to climb and his fellow passengers seemed twice the size of him. He didn't remember feeling this helpless and vulnerable when he had been an actual child.
"Two tickets to the mall please" Elspetb smiled at the bus driver.
"You only need one" the bus driver replied amiably "children ride free"
"But I'm not a child!" James protested grumpily., feeling himself shrink a little at the slight.
"Haha! They can't wait to grow uo can they!" Elspeth ruffled her 26 year old companions hair with one hand and snatched half her change back with the other.
"Just play along with it will you, I just saved three quid!" Elspeth whispered to James as they found a pair of seats. Elspeth took hers and, again with some effort, James clambered onto his.
The mall was a way off and a popular destination and, after a few stops, there were no seats left. James was grateful that, as bad as his day had been, he at least had one to himself.
Just then, Elpeth seemed to notice plump middle aged woman who had recently boarded was stood opposite Elspeth and James and seemed a little short of breath after running from the bus.
"Excuse me dear, you look a little flushed, would you like a seat?" Elspeth leaned across and asked. James was surprised. Maybe despite everything she did have a caring side.
"Oh, if you don't mind" the passenger responded gratefully.
"No problem at all" Elspeth smiled as ahe unceremoniously lifted James out of his seat and placed him onto her lap. He was too taken aback to conplain but he could feel both women getting bigger.
"Oh thank you, that's so kind of you!" The woman thanked Elspeth, ignoring James.
After an unconfortable ride on Elspeth's bony legs James was relieved to finally get off the bus. Or at least he would have been if he hadn't quickly become aware that now even the primary school uniform he was wearing was feeling loose on him.
"Oh look at you, you've shrunk again!" Elspeth giggled as they arrived at the mall "Oh well, I suppose we're in the perfect place to get you a change of clothing"
However, after walking the mall for some time, and with James' little legs getting tired more quickly than usual there seemed to be only one shop that catered to his present needs - some awful store selling allegedly cute animal costumes for toddlers.
"Can't you just magic something up like you did with this?" James asked hopefully, gesturing at the school uniform which was half falling off him.
"It's way too crowded for that" Elspeth shook her head "Look, it won't be for long. We can nip in there, I'll choose you a costume, you can put it on in the changing rooms and then we're away"
"Can't I choose?" James asked. Everything on view was horrendous, but some of the costumes were worse than others.
"You want to pay for it?" Elpeth asked. James who, funnily enough didn't have his wallet on him, shook his head in defeat.
"Good" Elspeth nodded as they entered the shop.
"Ah welcome!" The attractive, overly energetic sales girl bounded over to Elspeth "What can I interest you in?"
"Hmm, let me think!" Elspeth winked at James mischievously as she considered her options.