Chapter Five Rab #3
“But it has to be you.” Knox sighed and crossed a boot onto his knee, his fingers tapping against his thigh.
“No, it really does not.”
“Aye, but it does. They want someone in your age range, handsome, and with their magick firmly under their belt.” Knox looked out the front window of the pub, where a pair of tourists struggled with an umbrella in the rain that had snuck up since we’d been inside.
“There’s not many of us who fit that description in town. And nobody else who owes me a favor.”
“Damn it, Knox.” I jerked in my chair, surprised he was calling in the favor I owed him. It had been a big one too.
He’d denied the license for my father’s chippy, causing my parents to take their fast-food chain to other villages. With the remodel of Briarhaven into a theme park of sorts, Knox had wanted curated and individual restaurants, and my father’s chippy hadn’t fit the bill.
It could have, with some work, but Knox had come to me first, knowing the difficult time I’d had with my father after Lyra had left.
I still struggled with guilt sometimes that I’d given Knox the go-ahead to deny their permit.
But I hadn’t asked Knox to make that decision; I’d just given him the go-ahead, even though I’d still promised him I’d owe him someday.
The result had been my parents moving two hours away, giving me room to breathe, and their business had exploded, so no real harm was done.
“Listen, Rab. This will be huge for Briarhaven. You know we’re kind of the laughingstock of the magickal world, and I just feel like everyone’s favorite reality show being filmed here will give us added validity.
And if I can have some control over who is on the show—like someone who won’t embarrass us—that will also help.
” Knox gave me a pointed look, and I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose with my fingers.
Though the makeover of Briarhaven had been hugely accepted by the inhabitants, other magickal communities around the world had different views of Knox’s decision.
They felt Briarhaven was making a joke of magickals and sacred practices and often referred to us as sellouts.
I was just happy that most of us could largely live freely and that it provided a safe haven for many who hadn’t been able to find a spot to welcome them in the world.
“I don’t cook,” I pointed out, my resolve crumbling, and Knox’s eyes took on a gleam as he leaned forward. I’d had no interest in learning my father’s business, instead burying my head in books.
“Don’t have to. The setup is that one seasoned baker will be paired with a novice.”
“And you use magick to make food?” I asked. I had never seen an episode before.
“Magickal challenges. But you’ll still use real ingredients, and the food has to be edible. It’s quite fun,” Liam said, and I gave him a surprised look.
“You watch Bewitching Bake Off?”
“Aye, mate. It relaxes me at the end of the day. Plus, sometimes I get some ideas for something I want Chef to try in the kitchen here.” Liam shrugged, unbothered by my look.
“Please, mate? Sloane’s on me about all the Mabon festival preparations, and I need to submit some names to the production team, like, yesterday.”
“Fine,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut. I was going to hate every second of this. “If I’m lucky, I’ll get paired with Marcie and won’t have to do any work.”
“Or—” Liam began.
“And the festival? You’re both coming? Don’t leave me hanging, lads,” Knox interrupted.
“I highly suspect I’m not welcome,” I pointed out.
“Everyone’s invited. It’s a festival for the town. Not only will most of your clients be there, but we might get to hang out with dragons. So why not come?” Knox shrugged.
“Because I need to catch up on Stranger Things?” I said. Knox rolled his eyes.
“Just come,” Knox said, finishing his sausage roll and standing.
“No.”
“I’d come if I were you,” Liam said, raising his eyebrows at me.
“Why?”
“Because if you don’t, then it’s going to make it look like you’re bothered about Lyra being back. Particularly since her sister is throwing this festival at their father’s place in the woods. Your absence will speak louder than your presence.”
Knox gave a low whistle and then clapped Liam on the shoulder. “The lad’s got it right. You cannae argue with him.”
He was right. I hadn’t thought about the festival in that light, but now that I did, I knew it would set tongues wagging if I didn’t go.
“Bloody hell,” I cursed, draining my coffee cup. “Sometimes I hate living in a small town.”
“Only when all eyes are on you. The rest of the time, it’s quite nice. Gotta run, lads. Need to see a witch about breaking a curse.”
“Yeah, yeah, bye.” I waved Knox away and looked at Liam, my shoulders slumping. “I’m going to hate every second of this, aren’t I?”
“What? The show or the festival?”
“Both.”
“Aye, lad. But you know, as they say… what doesn’t kill us and all that.”
“In that case, time to look at spreadsheets.” I gave Liam an evil grin as he groaned and slipped my laptop from my bag. “Now, do you want the good news or the bad news first?”