Adam and Sarah threw themselves at the woman. They clung to her as if she was their mother and she held them as if they were her children.

"It's ok," she said softly. "It's not out there. It must have gone."

"Are you sure?" asked Sarah.

"I'm sure," said the witch. "You're safe now."

The witch pulled herself free of the siblings and stepped back. She smiled at them warmly.

"Let's get you something to eat," she said. "You must be starving. Look at you both, there's nothing on you!"

Sarah's hand went to her mouth. Dinner! Their mother was going to shout them! Had it been an hour? It couldn't have been, not yet. They would have to tell her what had happened. They'd have to go home but... what if the wolf was still out there? She told this to the woman.

"Don't fret. I'm sure it's gone, but if you're concerned, stay here, eat and I'll let your mother know you're safe."

"But, she'll be worried," said Adam. "We should go, really."

"Well, if you want to go back out there, be my guest," she said, indicating the door. "Or you can stay here, have some food, and I'll speak to your mother."

The children looked at each other and Adam nodded. Sarah followed suit and they smiled at the woman.

"Excellent. Now, the bathroom is through there, so go wash up and I'll sort out something to eat. I like pie. How does that sound?"

At the mere mention of food, Adam's stomach seemed to remember it needed sustenance and grumbled its assent.

"Yes, please," he said.

"Good. I'll get it on. Won't be long as I have it all prepared."

The children looked at each other as they walked to the bathroom and frowned. How could she have it already prepared? Another thought occurred to Sarah.

"We haven't told you our number to call mum," she said.

"True," said the woman. "Where do you live?"

"Erm... We live on the edge of the forest. It's a big, funny looking house."

"Yes," said Adam. "It's got bits sticking out all over."

"I know the one. I used to live there a long time ago."

"You did?" exclaimed Sarah. "When?"

"Oh, so long ago. Way before you were born. I'm sure it's been added to since then. It was a marvellous misshape when I lived there."

"Why did you leave and come here?"

The woman sighed and looked down. She smoothed her dress down with her hands and picked an invisible thread from her sleeve.

"I needed some solitude," she said. "I... didn't get on with my neighbours." She smiled broadly, adding: "I much prefer it here. Nobody bothers me. In fact, I think I've even been forgotten about, which suits me just fine."

Adam and Sarah couldn't imagine why anyone would want to live alone in the depths of a forest, nor why they'd be happy to be forgotten, but the fact the woman had once lived in their house almost made them family, after a fashion. The pair smiled and turned back to the bathroom.

"Oh," said Adam, pausing. "What's your name?"

The witch smiled again. "Call me Rose," she said. "My real name is much longer than that, but you can call me Rose."

"Rose," said Sarah. "I like that name. It's our mum's favourite flower."

And I'm now going to be her thorn, thought the witch. She entered the kitchen and fired up the massive oven. She pulled down the door to watch the long flames lick the inside and licked her own lips. After a deep breath, she busied herself with vegetables and potatoes.

"You're not going to peel yourselves," she said quietly. "At least, not with those children here. Can't have them seeing that..."

She gave Adam and Sarah plates and cutlery and asked them to set the table. It wasn't long before the meal was ready and they were all seated.

"Did you speak to our mum?" asked Adam. He took a bite out of the pie, succulent steak and gravy filling his mouth. He couldn't help but moan in pleasure. He couldn't remember ever having eaten anything as delicious.

"Is that good?" Rose asked.

Sarah was similarly chewing and moaned herself. The pie was perfection in a mouthful. Both children went to respond, intending an animated nodding, but found they couldn't move their heads. Or their hands. Or...

Paralysed,Adam and Sarah could only stare straight ahead. The witch pushed her finger into each of their mouths, extracting thehalf eaten food.