Tabby The Worst Witch

Hello, hello!

Well met.

Hi, Mum.

Yes, I'm here, the transparent spell worked perfectly.

Don't worry, I'm fine.

Love you too. What?!

My phone, why did you do that?

Such devices are not permitted here.

But I promised Mum I'd call her all the time.

You are here on a trial basis.

Frankly, I will be amazed if you last until the end of the week.

Maud!

Sorry. Sorry!

Sorry for charging into me like a clumsy hippo?

Or sorry for sabotaging my entrance exam?

It was an accident.

Both times.

-Maud!

-Mildred!

Did your mum knit that scarf?

Yes.

Why?

GIRLS CHUCKLE

House sashes.

The colour shows you which corridor your room's on.

Oh. We're not together.

Sorry, HB decides who goes where.

But, see your sash?

Yeah. What does it mean?

It means you came top in the entrance exam,

and so you're head of Year One.

Top?

To be slightly more accurate, you are the least worst.

-But, yes.

-Well done, Maud.

Enough.

It's time you were assigned your familiars.

-Familiars?

-Our cats!

BELL JANGLES

INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS

Maud Spellbody?

MEOWING IN DISTANCE

As head of year, you may have first choice.

MEOWING INTENSIFIES

Choose wisely, dear.

I choose this one.

I name him Midnight.

Oh, good name.

Well done, Maud.

So cute!

So soft!

Hurry up.

And last, but not least...

Mildred Hubble.

-Erm, Miss Cackle?

-Hurry up, Mildred.

But there are no cats left.

It's OK, Hecate, I've got him.

I caught this little fellow making a run for it.

Here you go.

But...

But he's not...

He's Tabby?

Tabby!

Not a traditional name, but it'll do.

Erm, no, I didn't mean...

Miss Cackle... Please, can't I have a black one like the others?

Mildred, you have named Tabby, and now he is yours.

I'm sorry, Tabby. It's not your fault.

I know he's not what you expected.

But it's a foolish witch who judges by appearances.

Hmm?

There you are.

Working already?

Don't want to get behind.

It's your first day, why don't you just chill a bit?

Scared of the competition?

Sorry, what?

I should have smashed that entrance exam.

Broken your record into a million pieces.

If it wasn't for Mildred Hubble.

Ethie, it was an accident, nobody's fault.

Why are you defending Mildred?

Did you put her up to it?

Me, why would I...?

Because you couldn't stand to let me beat you.

For once, I'd be the favourite.

I'd have been given Granny Hallows' broomstick.

It's just because I'm older.

It's been passed on to the eldest daughter for...

13 generations.

Exactly. It's always been all about you.

I'm sorry you feel like that.

But it's not fair to take it out on Mildred.

Well, life isn't fair.

If it was, I'd be the eldest.

I'd have everything you've got.

Now, please, let me get on with my work.

Our first flying lesson, and it's with Miss Hardbroom.

I can't do this in front of her, I'll mess up and fail my trial.

You've already flown, remember?

Some girls haven't even been on a broomstick yet.

Sorry I'm late!

Sorry!

Sorry, Miss Hardbroom. Sorry.

Right. Brooms on the ground, group one.

Now, say it with me.

Nice and loud - hover.

-ALL:

-Hover.

Perfect.

Yes, I did it! I did it! I...

..did it.

Hover.

Hover! What's wrong with it?

Nothing. You just need to be firmer, show that broom who's boss.

Come on, girl, give it all you've got!

Hover!

SHE WHISTLES

Well, you're getting there.

Right, time to get flying.

Excellent, Ethel. Beautiful posture, both you and the cat.

Girls, I want you all to copy Ethel.

May I fly now, Miss Drill?

Yes. Yes, off you pop.

Pointy work, Ethel.

Now, girls, you all saw what Ethel did.

Just give the broom a good, sharp tap, and away you go.

Go.

Go, go, go!

-Mildred Hubble!

-It's Tabby...

Come on, girl, get up there!

Really, really doesn't want to...

Don't give me excuses, give me height.

Tabby!

SCREAMING

Maud, stop!

Sorry, Ethel, I didn't mean to!

SCREAMING

SCREAMING STOPS

GRUNTING

Are the cats OK?

They're back in your rooms, you foolish girls.

This is what happens when we get sloppy.

There will be a special test on basic broomstick skills

at the end of the week.

For girls and cats.

Failure will incur...

consequences.

And I think you know what they are.

But, please, Miss Hardbroom, I can't...

Not by the end of the week...

-Tabby gets so scared...

-Do you know what a witch is, Mildred Hubble?

Do you know what a witch does?

Erm...

Spells?

Broomstick flying?

Wears a pointy hat?

A witch takes responsibility.

A witch does not whine when things don't go her way.

A witch makes things go her way.

Class...dismissed.

Don't worry, we'll teach you.

Encourage him.

TABBY MEOWS

That's it, Midnight!

MAUD COOS, TABBY MEOWS

Erm...

Oh, I can't do this.

Come on, Tabby. Please!

Ugh!

Face it, Maud, she's a lost cause.

She is my best friend.

Remember what I said about Mildred -

she's worked so hard, she deserves a chance.

I know.

-OK?

-And, actually, I was going to help her train her cat.

You're going to help her?

You sound surprised.

You always did underestimate me.

A test in the first week?

We need to eliminate the weak links.

You mean Mildred Hubble.

The sooner the better.

We must consider the best interests of the school.

And when did I ever fail to do that?

I know you think I was too soft on Agatha,

but she's my sister.

Who tried to take over your school.

It's only my school because I'm the oldest.

If things had been different, do you think...?

I think we have quite enough to worry about

without speculating about what might have been.

Millie, listen.

It's not fair that you've got Tabby.

You've only just started flying lessons.

And I've had loads of practice.

So...

why don't we swap cats?

I couldn't do that.

But maybe I could borrow Midnight for a bit?

Just so he can show Tabby how it's done.

Ada, you're finally speaking to me again.

How are you, Agatha?

Terrible.

Every day, mother goes on and on

about what a bad daughter I am and how I've let her down.

It's like being a kid again.

Our childhood wasn't that bad.

Yours wasn't.

But then, you're the good one.

The nice one.

And whose fault is that?

Oh, it's so easy to be the nice one when everything goes your way.

If I were the oldest, you'd be stuck here instead of me.

You made your bed, Agatha.

I know.

And I'm sorry.

I deserve to be punished.

You've taken away my powers.

But, please, you can't keep me here forever?

Just stay on the broom, look how Midnight does it.

Come on, Tabs, you can do it.

Come on, Tabs.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Come in.

What an interesting room.

Did you know they used to use it to store junk?

Yeah, and I'm sure you've got loads of hilarious jokes about that,

but I'm a bit busy right now.

I know.

I've come to help.

Sardines.

It's an old witch's trick.

Pour some of this on your broomstick.

It'll help him get over his fear.

He's a lovely cat, really.

Such a nice, shiny coat.

He can't help the stripes.

Can you, Tabby?

Why are you doing this? You don't even like me.

I know we got off to a bad start,

but I'd hate to see you kicked out on your very first week.

So would I.

Good luck tomorrow.

Em...you too.

I think she's less scary when she's mean.

CAT MEOWS

Tabby?

Tabby?!

Hi, Midnight. Have you seen Tabby?

There you are, I thought I'd lost you.

Look, I know how you feel, but running away won't help.

We have to pass this test.

Good side-saddle position.

Cat keeping his balance perfectly.

You can do it.

Ooh, that's some lovely cornering.

And a perfect dismount.

A nine, for a first year?

I hope you aren't going soft!

Next.

Take off.

Yes!

Let's see a sunwise circle, please, Mildred.

Well done, Tabby!

And turn.

And widdershins.

And land.

We passed!

Barely.

We passed, we passed!

Wow, Mildred, you did it!

You're the bats.

-That means you're good.

-I'm the bats!

Maud Spellbody. You're next.

Take off.

MIDNIGHT MEOWS

No, Midnight, stay back!

No, Midnight, I can't see where we're going.

-We're going to...

-SCREAMING

It really is very disappointing, Maud.

I hope being head of year hasn't gone to your head.

It wasn't Maud's fault.

It was her cat.

Funny, he's never done that before.

No, he hasn't.

Why does Maud's cat like you so much, Mildred?

I don't know.

Tabby, is that you?

Midnight!

Somebody switched our cats!

So they did.

Incompetence is one thing,

but blatant cheating...

is much worse.

Me? You think I did this?

There is no place for an untrustworthy witch in my school.

Your trial is over.

Go to your room and pack.

Tabby, you have to get out.

Sorry.

It's my fault.

I should have known it wasn't you.

No wonder Maud doesn't believe me.

DOOR CREAKS OPEN

I'm sorry, but I had to see you.

I had to tell you...

What?

I didn't switch the cats, I promise.

I would never do that to you.

If I had to choose between being a witch and being your friend,

I'd choose you.

Every time.

That's OK.

I believe you.

Really?

Yeah. That spell was a bit advanced for you.

And, anyway, I offered to swap.

So if you'd wanted to, you could have just said yes.

So somebody else must have done it.

No prizes for guessing who.

Ethel?

But she was nice to me yesterday.

Well, that definitely counts as suspicious behaviour.

Now we need to prove it.

TABBY MEOWS

Come on, Maud.

GIGGLING

What are we looking for, exactly?

Evidence.

Potions, ingredients, spells.

TABBY MEOWS

Shh, Tabby. Leave it.

I think he's found something.

-What is it?

-An old sardine tin?

That's it!

Careful!

Sorry.

If Ethel put a spell on our cats, she'd have to trick them.

Something they couldn't resist.

You think she put a spell on the sardines?

It's evidence, we can take it to Miss Cackle.

But...

what if it's just sardines?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

There's still juice left.

I'll do it, you're in enough trouble as it is.

But is I'm going to be expelled anyway...

Let's both do it.

One, two, three.

I don't feel anything.

THEY SCREAM

No, it's OK, don't panic.

Little light, shine bright.

Mildred?

Maud?

Is that you?

Is that...me?

I'm you?

You're me.

This is so weird.

Don't chew my hair.

Sorry.

Mildred Hubble. I forbade you to leave your room.

But I might have known I'd find you here.

But, Miss Hardbroom...

Don't interrupt me.

What have you done with her?

I've sent her to her room,

a binding spell will hold her there until the morning.

When she will be expelled.

But it's not Mildred!

Don't make excuses for her.

You are confined to your room until the morning.

And then, I hope, you will make better friends.

CAT MEOWS

Hello!

What do you want?

TABBY MEOWS

Mildred, it's time to go.

You haven't even packed.

And what are you doing with Maud's spectacles?

I need those, I can't see.

Stop playacting, Mildred Hubble.

Why do you hate Mildred so much?

She can't help who her parents are?

I don't hate her, you silly girl.

This is no place for you.

And I don't want to see you drag Maud Spellbody down with you.

Maud Spellbody?

Yes, Miss Cackle?

As I thought.

This notebook contains a list of ingredients for a switching spell.

Whose handwriting is this?

Ethel Hallow's.

That's what I've been trying to tell you.

Ethel.

This is your notebook.

Did you switch the appearance of the cats?

Yes.

Such a dangerous and reckless misuse of magic

put the whole school at risk.

I can think of only one course of action.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Yes?

I heard what happened.

Please, don't expel Ethel.

I'm sure she wouldn't...

There must be some mistake.

No, there's no mistake.

I did it.

But only to help Mildred.

BOTH: What?!

Help her?

Yes.

You see, I knew she'd never pass the test with Tabby, so...

I'm really sorry.

I meant it for the best.

She's lying!

She doesn't even like Mildred.

No, no, she's not.

Yesterday, Ethel told me she was going to help Mildred with Tabby.

Esmeralda, is this the truth?

You're not just saying this because Ethel's your sister?

It's true, I swear by the Code.

Why would you help Mildred Hubble? She ruined your entrance exam.

She did.

But I was wrong.

She made a mistake.

She deserves a second chance.

People can change.

Look at me. I've changed.

She has, she really has.

All right.

Ethel, you are forgiven.

This time.

Yes, Miss Cackle.

As for you, Mildred, your trial will continue.

If you want it to?

Yes, Miss Cackle.

But that cat must learn to fly.

It's our rule.

Yes, Miss Hardbroom.

CAT MEOWS

It's not exactly...

elegant.

But the cat is flying on the broom stick,

you can't deny that.

Admit it, Hecate,

Mildred's been rather clever.

Clever, maybe.

But that's not enough to make her a witch.