Chapter 20
PHYLLIS
Aurora was putting a new display in the window when Phyllis arrived at Mystic Quartz on Saturday morning, with Cobweb in her basket. She waved as Phyllis walked up to the shop. Phyllis waved back and pushed open the door.
‘Morning. How’s it going in the new digs?
’ Aurora asked, stepping out of the window.
She was dressed in a long, flowing patchwork dress and brown ankle boots, decorated with flowers, her long blonde wavy hair flowing over her shoulders.
‘I hope Cobweb isn’t making it difficult for you.
I did try to keep her in, but she kept sneaking out and going off,’ she said.
‘No. It’s all fine now. Nancy seems to have become quite fond of her and has agreed to let me keep her with me.
’ Phyllis put the basket down on the floor and the cat jumped out, padded over to the little chair in the corner, jumped up, curled up on the cushion and stared at them, her eyes unblinking.
‘I’m so pleased. She’s no trouble,’ Aurora said.
‘I know. I think she’s turned her charm on with Nancy, followed her everywhere, rubbing against her legs.’ Phyllis smiled.
‘She’s a clever one, aren’t you, Cobbie?’ Aurora stroked the cat and Cobweb purred. Then she went over to the counter, pulled open the till drawer and placed the cash drawer inside. ‘How’s Joyce settling in the care home?’
‘I’ve been to see her a few times and she seems to have accepted it well.
It’s a nice place and, to be honest, Joyce does need a lot of care and I found it rather exhausting, especially after a day at work.
I’m not exactly a spring chicken. It’s horrible how Howard went about it though.
Honestly, the way the elderly get treated by their families makes me glad I don’t have kids. ’
‘We’re not all like that. All my family adore my gran,’ Aurora told her.
Phyllis knew that was true. Aurora’s parents had taken in her gran, Winnie, and she was a much-loved member of their family. Jackie and her daughter, Pam, seemed to have a close relationship, too, and Slate and his son Jed. She guessed that Joyce was just unlucky.
It was a busy morning in the shop. Cobweb remained curled up on the chair, and – as usual – attracted a lot of attention.
After lunch, Phyllis was astonished to see Nancy walk in.
‘Afternoon, Nancy, this is a nice surprise,’ she remarked.
‘Hi there, Nancy,’ Aurora gave her a warm smile.
‘Hello, I was at a bit of a loose end today, so I thought I’d pop in. If that’s okay?’ Nancy said.
‘Of course, feel free to look around,’ Aurora told her.
Cobweb raised her head at the sound of Nancy’s voice, jumped off the chair and padded over to her, miaowing and rubbing herself against Nancy’s legs. Phyllis and Aurora looked at each other and smiled.
‘Hello, darling. I bet you’re nice and cosy in the shop, aren’t you?’ Nancy cooed, bending down to stroke Cobweb.
Cobweb purred happily.
‘Well, she seems to have taken to you,’ Aurora remarked. ‘Phyllis said that you’ve agreed to let Cobbie stay. I’m so pleased although we will miss her. She’s such a sweetie.’
‘She really is, and she’s no bother. She seems to be settled here, too, doesn’t she?
And she adds to the atmosphere with her jet-black fur and yellow eyes.
A proper witch’s cat,’ Nancy said with a smile.
‘Although you’re much too cute to be a witch’s cat, aren’t you?
’ Cobweb miaowed as if agreeing with her.
Nancy slowly walked around the shop, looking at the displays of jewellery and figures on the shelves.
Palmistry hands, tarot cards, beautiful teacups with packets of tea, herbal remedies, essential oils, candles.
‘You have some gorgeous things in here.’ She picked up a red garnet pendant.
‘Garnet is my birthstone,’ she said as she fingered the smooth stone.
Clifford wouldn’t have wanted her to have it.
He thought things like that were all nonsense.
Well, Clifford had sodded off, hadn’t he?
So he had no say in what she did any more.
‘I thought you were a Capricorn. You have such a no-nonsense and disciplined attitude. That stone’s a good choice. It will bring you good health, wealth and happiness,’ Phyllis told her.
‘Really? Then I must have it.’ Nancy took her purse out of her bag, took a couple of notes out of it and handed them over. Then she fastened the pendant around her neck.
Just then Cobweb jumped up on the counter and nuzzled her hand, purring softly.
‘Wow, she seriously does like you!’ Aurora exclaimed.
‘She’s gorgeous, aren’t you?’ Nancy patted Cobweb’s head.
Cobweb miaowed again, as if she was saying thank you, then sauntered off back to the chair she’d been resting on.
It was almost as if she was cosying up to Nancy to make sure she didn’t change her mind about letting her stay, Phyllis thought in amusement.
She wouldn’t put it past the little cat.
She was a good judge of character and, like Phyllis, could see that Nancy had a good heart.
Although her soul was still a little troubled.