Demon Dentist

Winnie’s moped becomes a helpful tool for Alfie in his quest to save Gabz from the witch; as such, the machine serves as a symbol of his acceptance of Winnie as a supportive ally. The moped initially helps to highlight Alfie’s conflict with Winnie, especially when she uses it to pursue him through the school and into the streets on the day of his appointment with Miss Root. Later, when Winnie begins to believe that Miss Root is endangering the children of the town, she helps Alfie in his attempt to save Gabz. Winnie and Alfie pursue the witch on Winnie’s moped together, with Winnie operating the vehicle and Alfie watching the smoke trail left by the witch’s flying gas cylinder: “Alfie kept his eyes focused upward, directing Winnie after the trail of smoke” (325). In teaming up with Winnie, Alfie experiences a great change of heart and realizes that Winnie is now an ally instead of an adversary.

The moped’s appearance in the last scene of the novel is significant symbolism as well. Winnie and Raj barely fit on the moped themselves, but they make room for Alfie to ride between them as they steer toward whatever the future holds.