Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Dora and Sephy walked back up Essex Street arm in arm. If Dora wasn’t mistaken her aunt was a little bit tipsy off the vodka. Although the amount of vodka that went into her famous black magic cocktail was more than the double shot they’d had in The Tavern.
As they passed Salem Bespoke Boutique, Dora stopped. In the window was the most amazing selection of beautiful velvet witch hats in black, purple and even a white one. Each one was hand decorated and they were all different designs.
‘I fear we need one of these each. It seems only fitting that we should actually have the matching attire.’
Sephy who was staring at the white hat turned to Dora. ‘You fear we should wear witch hats and have matching attire? Where on earth did that come from, Dora?’
Dora hesitated to say. It seemed the longer she spent in Salem, the more she reverted to how she was in a previous life, and she didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.
‘Why not, come on. Everyone who lives in this little city knows who you and Lenny are; it’s pretty obvious we’re witches.
I think we should dress up on Halloween and wear a hat and cape; you know for when we hand out candy to the kids.
I am so excited to do this. I think my heart might burst with it all and I’ll die anyway. ’
‘Lenny would die, dear; she is not the witch hat wearing type of woman. As for you, I think the dying too soon this time you have managed to escape it, which is just wonderful.’
‘I hope so but think how much fun it could be. Why are we still hiding who we are after all this time, after we – fingers crossed – banished Corwin to the light? Surely, we have nothing to hide. Haven’t we done that lifetime after lifetime?
Should we not be embracing our witchy side?
Did you hear they’re making a Practical Magic Two?
If it’s good enough for Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman to celebrate being witches, it’s good enough for the English women. ’
Sephy turned to Dora and smiled. ‘I refuse to jump off the roof of the house; the neighbours would never speak to me again. You’re right, though, let’s do it.
Stephanie will make us our own hats as individual as we are.
If you manage to get Lenny to wear one on Halloween, I shall be most impressed, Dora. ’
* * *
They went into the shop which was still busy despite it almost being closing time. Inside it was full of beautiful witchy knick-knacks, everything a closet witch needed. There was a store room at the back with a stable door – the bottom half closed, the top open. Sephy walked straight towards it.
‘Boo.’
The woman sitting at the workbench was surrounded by hats and boxes upon boxes of adornments, ribbons of every colour and material. It was a crafter’s dream, Dora was in love.
‘Sephy, how are you? Come in.’
She opened the door so they could walk inside. ‘Stephanie, have you met my beautiful niece, Dora? She’s from London.’
Stephanie pulled Sephy in for a hug, then turned to Dora and did the same. Dora felt herself melt into her arms; some people just beamed kindness and Stephanie certainly did. She was a good person and that radiated from her in waves.
‘No, but I’m so happy to finally meet you. Ambrose has never stopped talking about you, Dora, he’s smitten.’
Dora’s cheeks burned hot pink. ‘He does, oh wow. That’s kind of embarrassing. Does everyone know Ambrose?’
Stephanie shook her head. ‘No, it’s not embarrassing, he’s the sweetest. It’s adorable, and yes almost everyone along Essex Street knows him. He’s always ready to help whenever we need it. Now, how can I help you, ladies?’
‘Dora would like to purchase three of your stunning hats.’
Stephanie’s smile spread from ear to ear. ‘Oh, yes, finally. I have been waiting for this moment since I opened the shop.’ She clapped her hands in delight.
Sephy took hold of her hands. ‘You have, dear, really? You’ve been waiting for us to buy some? Why didn’t you just say?’
‘Not buy them, but to, you know…’ She paused, scrunching her face up. ‘How do I put this without sounding awful?’
‘I find it’s best to just say it, dear, people can take it as they want.’
She nodded. ‘For you to come out of the witch’s closet.’
Sephy’s eyes widened so much Dora thought they may pop out of her head.
‘I have an apothecary, I wear a cloak, I read tarot, I have been making spells for as long as I could mix potions together. I am not to my knowledge in the closet.’
Stephanie laughed. ‘Oh, I know that. I didn’t mean to offend you, Sephy. I just meant that it’s exciting to finally see you truly embrace your royal witchiness and I’m honoured to help you do that.’
‘No offence taken, dear.’
‘And I should stop talking huh?’
Dora laughed as Sephy arched one eyebrow in Stephanie’s direction.
‘So, what are you guys thinking?’
‘Well, I think we should have something celestial, pretty for Sephy, more Gothic for me and fiery for Lenny.’
‘Good choices, let me see what I can do. If you pop back tomorrow afternoon, I should be finished by then.’
Sephy wrapped her arms around Stephanie and held her close. ‘Thank you, darling. If Lenny happens to turn up at some point, please don’t tell her, it’s our secret.’ She winked at Stephanie, who winked back.
* * *
They left the shop and headed down the side of the Peabody Essex Museum. Dora knew it was to avoid crowds – they were everywhere.
‘You don’t want Lenny to know because she will be annoyed?’
‘Exactly, she’s too much of a sour puss and will spoil our fun. Some things are best kept secret. Although I can’t guarantee she will agree to wear a hat, but we can only try.’
As they strolled down Charter Street it was busy with tour groups learning the history of Salem, but not uncomfortably so, and they walked down to Front Street, where Dora paused outside Nocturne, the beautiful vintage emporium.
It stirred something deep inside of her.
It looked so inviting but there was a line outside.
She didn’t know why it seemed to be calling to her.
She would come here one day when the crowds had dissipated and take a look inside the beautiful store.
Dora smiled to herself. She knew all too well just how good her aunts were at keeping secrets and she wondered if there were any other secrets they had kept from her.
She hadn’t even known she had a life, well many lifetimes, of living in Salem until a couple of weeks ago and that still sat heavy inside of her chest whenever she thought about it.
The fact that she had lived so many varied, different lives was still hard to comprehend, but despite all of that she was desperate to begin working the magic that had always been inside of her.
The time to embrace her true self had finally come around and that made her heart full and her soul very happy.