Aggie was heading downstairs to retrieve a binding agent from the spare stores when she heard a sudden [i]crack[/i] just as the bell rung above the front door. She didn't hear her niece comment, so it wasn't likely anything had been broken, but she did decide to poke her head in to check anyway.

She was just in time to see Shock's back as the trickster drop off the bottom rung of the ladder, Agnes's broom in hand, shove it into a nook, and then pick up another broom off the floor. As Shock spun to take it to the counter, Aggie stepped into the shop properly.

"Hello, dearie," the witch greeted her. She wore a friendly smile, but there was a knowing glint behind her eyes. She waited to see if Shock would make an excuse or try to pretend she wasn't up to anything.