Ethel and Miss Hardbroom make sure that Julie's first day teaching art, as Cackle's first non-magical teacher, is a humiliating disaster. Mildred is furious at the injustice and steals the confiscated Wishing Star, vowing to make her mum equal - by giving her forbidden magic.

Full of bitterness and resentment, Ethel is casting spells in anger - and slowly turning into an ugly swamp troll. Transformation complete, Cackles is in uproar at this hideous creature, and Miss Hardbroom banishes Troll Ethel to the forest. Is there still a shred of kindness inside Ethel which can save her, or is it too late?