Chapter 4
Chapter four
We had lunch at a small café next to one of the New Age shops. Tammy’s Treats offered four bistro-style tables and service outdoors. Although they had a sign that said the café was dog-friendly, I wasn't sure if the staff would appreciate a cat wandering inside. Or any kind of animal.
Sitting in the sunshine was a perfect solution for all of us. On top of that, my BLT had just the right ratio of bacon to lettuce to tomato. The waitress brought a bowl with water for Cosmo without being asked.
I was still suppressing a snigger about his choice of footwear to go with what looked like an outfit belonging on Wall Street, when he brushed past me and almost stepped on Cosmo's tail.
"You haven't heard the last of this," the young woman, who’d stopped abruptly, called out after him.
He ignored her as he strode on.
Waves of anger rolled off her.
As she returned to the store, the waitress came out to clear the table in time to catch the scene. "Not again," she muttered. "I hope you haven't been bothered?"
"Not at all," I said. "Except, what on earth is going on?"
The waitress shrugged. "Our mayor has big plans for his future. Politics, you know, and he thinks that this town should be less hippy dippy”
"Hippy dippy?” I repeated, perplexed.
“Yeah, becoming a bit more corporate, not so quirky.”
“I thought that’s the charm of Crystal Springs.”
She looked at my periwinkle blue hair. “Yeah, that's what we thought, until a few months ago.” With that, she stiffened. She’d obviously decided she’d divulged too much already, considering that I was not a soul sister, but a stranger. “Is there anything else I can bring you?” she asked.
“Only the bill, and please tell your chef this was absolutely delicious. My cat and I will definitely return.”
She softened again. “Thanks, I’ll tell my mom. She's been threatening to retire for ages now, but it's compliments like yours that keep her going and busy and active.”
“I agree, it's good to have something to do and, on top of that, to be appreciated.” I settled the bill and then Cosmo and I headed towards the auction house.
The building itself was red brick with a gabled front and a round stained-glass window that drew my attention.
The viewing had only started 15 minutes ago, but already there were a number of people filing into the two rooms. One of them was reserved for big furniture, and the other, smaller room held the less cumbersome items.
A weather-beaten man in an oversized trench coat and a baseball cap sat at a desk in the hallway between the two rooms. He handed me a sheet from a large stack of papers. I filled in my registration for the auction and received a bidder number. He entered the data on his laptop.
“You can use the number to place reserve bids beforehand, either on paper or online.” He handed me another sheet, with spaces for my bid, the lot I was placing a bid on, and my personal number, 137.
“Or you come back tomorrow for the live auction. The bidder number stays the same.” He frowned at Cosmo, who sat on his haunches, gazed at the man, and waited. "What's the cat doing here?" he asked.
I was still thinking about my reply when Cosmo broke into a low, low purr.
I could see it working on the man, because he smiled and his face softened. Only the deep wrinkles on his forehead remained. They were probably a permanent fixture. He magnanimously said to us, "Go ahead then, with your kittycat."
“Thank you,” I said and picked Cosmo up. I didn't want anybody to trip over his leash. Also, if he spotted the spell-book we were searching first, he could easily whisper the news into my ear when he was close enough.
We started in the furniture room. Desks and cupboards, wardrobes and even large bedsteads often had hidden compartments that could easily hold a book. I took my time wandering around with my cat in my arms, waiting for telltale reactions that I was close to my target.
My skin prickled. I felt a frisson of excitement as I saw a tobacco-colored leather Chesterfield chair with a high back. The piece would be perfect for the room of my old friend Jimmy, who'd lately moved into our local retirement home.
Yet as exciting as this discovery was, it wasn’t the main event. I'd experienced the same kind of sensation often enough during my life. What my instinct told me was that this armchair didn’t have any magical secrets in store for me, but it was destined for Jimmy.
I debated putting down a reserve bit right away for lot 58, but I prudently waited.
I had no idea how much I would have to invest to secure the spell-book, and I'd rather not drain my bank account.
Being a good witch came with its own rewards in form of good karma points, but also unexpected expenses.
We continued our round. Cosmo felt warm against my chest, and his regular breathing was as soothing as the gentle lapping of ocean waves against the beach.
I stopped my train of thought. Whatever had put that picture into my head? Then I noticed soft singing. A soprano, treating us to a rendition of "Beyond the Sea."
Strange that I’d picked it up though, given that there were at least a dozen people around, babbling and chattering, and I hadn't noticed their noise.
I pushed that thought aside as well. Something was calling to me from the other room. “We’re close,” I whispered to Cosmo, who rubbed his head against my arm. With every step, I felt the signal getting stronger.