Chapter 81
GOLDIE
I’m still debating what to tell Maggie about where I’ve been as I ascend the stairs back at the house.
She’s in the front room, sewing something onto her special cushion of hatred again.
“I thought you’d sewn Jasper on there already,” I tease.
Maggie glares at me. “I have. I’m doubling up on the stitches.”
I look over her shoulder to see that she’s also embroidered her house next to Jasper’s name. Maggie can be so fucking weird at times.
“You’re very talented at embroidery, but why don’t you sew people you like on there, rather than people you hate?”
“Because I only like three people.”
“You like more than three people, surely? What about the ladies who come for readings and séances?”
“They’re on here too.”
“Do you really dislike everyone so much?”
“Yes. I have visions. Many of the souls in this town have crossed my path before, in other lives, and I know—I always know—whether it ended well.”
“Based on your cushion, it seems like it mostly ended… not well,” I observe wryly.
Maggie’s navy-blue eyes flash as she looks at me. “If you had my level of intuition, your opinion would be different.”
“I’m not like you, Maggie. I’ve always told you I don’t have the gift.”
“You’ve never even tried.”
I shrug. “I suppose not.”
“Did you enjoy your drink tonight?”
“Yes, thanks.” I close my eyes, knowing I walked straight into that one. My cheeks heat, and I drop my gaze to the floor.
Maggie gives me a long, icy stare. “You need to keep away from Jasper, he’s a bad man.”
“I don’t think he is, Maggie. And he has some valid points. You’re alone here. What happens if you trip over your knee high socks and fall down the stairs?”
Maggie sniffs. “I’d call my familiar. Onyx would help me.”
“Onyx would be no damn help. He’s far too overweight!”
“If he hears you, you’ll be in trouble,” Maggie warns, jabbing her needle angrily into the cushion. “Talking of hearing things, I heard what Jasper said about this place falling down in the next storm.”
“How did you—” My eyes narrow. “You were there,” I accuse her, knowing she used her abilities to spy.
Maggie ignores me. “Jasper will get nothing of mine. I hate him. Coming here with his fancy ways. The only reason he set up the farmers’ market was so everyone would buy from him and not me. He’s stolen my business, and now he wants to steal my house. Evil man.”
“I think he’s genuine, Maggie, and his offer is fair. It wouldn’t hurt to think about it.”
“Yes, well, I thought his grandmother was genuine too,” she mutters.
I have no idea what she’s talking about, but it’s clear she’s in no mood for questions. She needs space.
I sigh and make my way to the spare room. As I enter, I see Onyx is perched on my bed. My sheets are shredded, and he’s wearing a smug expression.
I throw up my hands. “Okay, you’ve made your point. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
He takes his time getting off my bed, his tail swishing like a victory banner as he swaggers from the room.