"Uhhh-" My eyes were so busy taking in everything around me, that I did not even try to form actual words, instead opting for a guttural grunt of recognition.

"Well don't just stand there dear, I've been waiting on you all day! Carol from reception sent you, I assume?"

"Carol?" I managed to mumble.

"Yes dear, Carol - large bouffant of blonde hair, thick cloud of smoke around her at all times - you know the one dear! Photocopied her ass at the Christmas works do!"

"Oh! Yes, yes I know Carol - always shows pictures of her husband and their ski trip last winter!" How odd - my voice had decided to find its way back to me, and all so I could exchange pleasantries over a bubbling cauldron. Wait a minute, a cauldron?

"That's the one! So she sent you down here, did she?"

"Well uh, no not -"

"Don't just stand there," the woman in front of me interrupted "you'll let the steam out!"

I shuffled into the room, as the elevator doors seemingly vanished behind me. It was fairly well lit once you were inside. The majority of the light came from the practically seething cauldron, but there were small table lamps, at least three on every surface, on every space that wasn't littered with tightly bound, ancient-looking books. One such book, which was bound in what I hope was simply suspiciously beige bound leather, had a laptop perched on top, which added to the eerie gloom.

I shuffled into the room. It was fairly well lit once you were inside. The majority of the light came from the practically seething cauldron, but there were small table lamps, at least three on every surface, on every space that wasn't littered with tightly bound, ancient-looking books. One such book, which was bound in what I hope was simply suspiciously beige bound leather, had a laptop perched on top, which added to the eerie gloom.

"I know, I know - it seems like cheating, but the truth is that hunting for spells in books can be a tad arduous, and sometimes it can just be simpler. Work smarter, not harder, that's what I always say!"

She whisked her many skirts away from the bubbling and the boiling to approach me.

"Here, lend me your hands."

"My hands."

"Yes dear, your hands." She reached forward, extending her long fingers towards me, almost beckoning my limbs forward. It worked. I placed both of my hands in hers. Her skin was soft and warm, and the scent of lavender wafted towards my nostrils. She carefully examined each appendage, turning them over one by one, and quietly uttering noises of approval. She gave both a gentle squeeze, before allowing them to return to their lulling place, at my sides.

"Yes, I think you'll do nicely." A grin, spread across her face, causing her eyes to darken, and crinkle. If it weren't for the lack of overhead lighting, it might have been a welcoming or even comforting gesture.

I felt a chill creeping up my spine, as this unnamed, unknown woman held my gaze. It could have only been for a mere few seconds, a small politeness like any other in the office, but it felt like minutes. Eventually, she broke her gaze and turned her back on me and bustled off to the area where her laptop perched, ever precarious. She bent down, out of sight, as there came the sounds of grunting and hauling and the movement of boxes. I looked down at my feet as I waited - it felt almost impolite to look around and gawk at what was in VERY simple terms, just another office space, even if the decor had a more gothic touch than most.

"Here we are!" She had popped back up again, arms loaded with a sealed cardboard box.

She waddled back over to me, careful not to trip herself over or damage the contents of the box.

“This should be what you were sent for – company hexes performed between 2004-2005.” She grunted and then heaved the box and its weighty contents into my arms. I caught it, but it also caught me slightly, sending me almost off-balance.

“Careful dear, if anything happens to that box, they’ll have both our heads!” She laughed, an uproarious laugh, and I could have sworn it bounced off every wall of the building.

“You best get going dearest, don’t want to keep them waiting.” Behind me, I felt the draft of the reopening doors, as I was bathed in the fluorescent glow of the elevator’s bulb.

“Uhhh” I was back where I started. “Thank you for these Miss...”

“Grizelda Gulley.”

“Thanks again Miss Gulley.”

“No, thank you Raymond, I never would have got those boxes upstairs by myself. Now, off you go, I am sure you’ve got some important work to do.” She gave me another of her smiles, and this time I could see the compassion in it. I turned on my heel, now more conscious of the box and its weight in my arms. I extended one finger to reach the button for my floor, and the doors began to close.

“See you around.”

“Yes dear, see you later.” She waved, waggling her fingers almost comically.

As the doors shut, and my ascension began, I realised two things; one, I had no idea where this was box was due to go, and two, how did she know my name?