Chapter 2 #2
‘Yeah, I’m a good boy. My mum would plant me in her compost bin if she thought I was taking risks. I won’t leave any of my ladies with unpleasant surprises.’
‘Good to know, but I didn’t think you were stupid.’ She shook her head. ‘I was more checking you’re protecting your energies. I’d hate to think you were doing anything to paint a target for karma on yourself.’
‘I promise I’m not. I’m always honest with my lady friends about what I’m looking for… and what I’m not. I never lead anyone on, and I’m very clear about not making promises and managing expectations.’
‘You’re one of the good ones, Aiden. Even if I’m now going to worry about your private life a bit.’ Ophelia smiled, and he felt another rush of affection for the boss who’d fast become his friend.
‘I promise I wouldn’t risk bringing negative energies into your business and home. I’ve avoided… seeing… anyone from Hudsbury in case it came back on Glimmers. I can keep doing that.’ There were plenty of women on different apps he could find.
‘Thank you.’
‘Not a problem. You want me to crack on with decorating?’
‘Yeah, that’d be good.’ Ophelia nodded. ‘Although I did have another good idea…’
‘Why don’t you tell me while we start?’ He began untangling a garland, ready to drape it around the till.
She twisted a couple of paper flowers together, then stopped. ‘I’ve been thinking about that hot honey and spiced chocolate loaf you made a few weeks ago. When you muddled up your ingredients with one of my top-shelf blends? The one that had some really interesting reactions?’
‘You mean the couple who came in here squabbling, ate two bites, then disappeared into the book stack for an hour?’ He chuckled.
As soon as they’d realised what had happened, they’d removed the cake from sale.
But never one to waste food, Aiden had taken a few slices and it had been very popular with Mandy – or possibly it was Linda.
He hadn’t dared ask Ophelia what happened to the rest. He was scared she’d answer!
‘Yeah, that one. What do you think about trying to create a similar effect, only deliberately? Maybe something for Beltane. Invigorating. A bit like my Kick Up Your Bum blend.’
‘Beltane’s the fire and fertility festival you were telling me about?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘So, when you say “invigorating”, what you really mean is spicier… in the romantic sense. And baked?’
‘This is why we work well together.’ Ophelia laughed. ‘Because you get me.’
‘I’ve never done anything like that before.’
‘You’re more than capable. You’ve picked things up incredibly quickly. I think it’s about time you started with your own blends and recipes instead of just following my tea and bath ones.’
‘OK.’ He felt an unexpected flush of pride. ‘Let me have a think about it for a few days and get back to you.’
‘Great.’
‘Now can we sort these decorations?’
‘OK, OK.’
Mia grimaced, peeled off her tunic and stuffed it into one of the clinical waste bags in her car. She gagged slightly as she tied the bag shut. She really, really hated vomit. All the other disgusting things the human body so often produced she handled fine, but vomit could still turn her stomach.
She threw on a chunky cardigan over her vest top, slammed the car shut, and hurried along the cobblestones. A quick visit to Ophelia’s, then she could go home and treat herself to a well-deserved bath.
Mist smirked at her as she walked past, but skipped away when Mia leaned down to try and pet her.
‘Suit yourself.’ She shrugged and opened the door. The chimes tinkled happily, welcoming her into peaceful, sweetly scented warmth. Despite the weather, spring appeared to have arrived inside, and Mia felt some of the tension and stress of the day disappear.
She’d adored Ophelia since Katie had shyly introduced her new girlfriend, and loved her somewhat controversial store with its quirky, beautiful mix of antiques, jewellery, crystals, gifts, teas, treats and cosmetics – and the odd books and peculiar things that Mia tried not to pay too much attention to.
But it was the lemon, lavender and mint shampoo she really needed.
Somehow the mix was almost magical in its ability to get rid of the more unpleasant smells from her job, and left her hair looking glossy and well-behaved, instead of like she’d licked her fingers and stuck them in a socket.
‘Good evening, welcome to Glimmers and Sparkles. I’m Aiden. What can I do to brighten your day?’
‘Um. Hi.’ Mia was a bit taken aback by the tall, broad-shouldered man who greeted her with one of the warmest, most genuine smiles she’d ever received from a stranger. ‘Is Phe… Ophelia about? I was hoping to speak with her.’
‘No, she and Rayenne are at an estate sale today, so I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. But I’m more than happy to help.’
‘That’s all right, thanks. I just need a cosmetics restock.’ She headed for the shelf of brightly coloured jars, bottles and individually wrapped bars, quickly grabbed the ones she wanted and headed back to the desk.
‘Better than Squeaky.’ He grinned and rang up the purchases, quickly packing them into one of Ophelia’s biodegradable bags. ‘A good choice. Though I prefer Honey Zinger myself.’
‘I don’t think I’ve tried that one.’ Mia reached for her purse.
‘Let me raid the sample basket for you. It’s a good one for when you need a kick up the… immune system.’
‘Do I look like I need an immune boost?’
‘Not particularly, but it doesn’t hurt, does it? Was there anything else?’
‘No thank you.’
‘OK. Have a good evening. But…’
Mia hesitated, halfway across the shop. ‘Yes?’
‘I hope you’ll forgive me for saying so, but you look like you’ve had a day and a half of it.’
‘You could say that.’
‘Perhaps we could do each other a favour.’
‘How?’
‘Ophelia’s got me working on my own blends. I’d just started steeping an experimental chamomile, honeysuckle and lavender tea. If I’ve got it right, it should be perfect for relaxing after a long day. I could pour you a cup?’ His grin was so warm and friendly that Mia couldn’t help returning it.
‘How is that doing you a favour?’
‘Because this is fairly new to me, and I’m a bit nervous about giving it to Ophelia. Maybe you could give me feedback?’
‘Seems fair.’ Mia followed him to the small seating area at the back of the shop and sank into a comfy chair while he headed to the kitchen.
She’d known Ophelia had taken on a shop assistant but hadn’t thought much about who they were.
But if she’d tried to guess, she probably wouldn’t have pictured this guy with long, neatly tied brown hair, and brightly coloured ink swirled over both arms. She guessed he was probably in his late twenties or early thirties – close in age to her – older than she’d expected for a part-time shop assistant.
His heavy boots and faded jeans should have been at odds with the peaceful feeling Ophelia liked to create in her store, but as he clumped back towards her and placed a tray on the small table, she realised he fitted the shop perfectly.
‘Do you have any allergies?’
‘No.’
‘Brilliant.’ He balanced a strainer over a cup and poured the tea. ‘Help yourself to milk. And there’s honey, sugar or agave if you want a bit more sweetness.’
‘How would you recommend drinking it?’
‘As it’s poured.’ He blew softly on the steaming liquid in his cup.
Mia copied him and took a few moments to inhale the sweet steam before taking a sip. Flavours danced across her tongue, and her eyes widened in surprise.
‘What do you think?’
‘It’s delicious. Sweet, floral and fresh. It tastes how sitting in the garden on a summer’s day smells.’ Mia laughed. ‘That probably sounds silly.’
‘Not at all.’ He grinned. ‘That’s pretty much what I was going for.’
‘Then you’ve nailed it.’
‘Brilliant.’ His grin was warm and open. ‘I didn’t catch your name, by the way?’
‘I’m sorry. You were right when you said I’ve had a “day and a half” already. My manners are usually better. I’m Mia.’
‘Hello, Mia.’ He stretched a hand across the table. ‘I’m Aiden.’
‘Yeah, you said.’ His fingers were warm and strong as they wrapped around hers. ‘Probably because you’ve better manners than me.’
‘If that’s what you want to think. But maybe I’m only polite because I’m paid to be nice.’
‘So you’ll have me believe the rest of the time you’re not like this?’
‘Oh no.’ His eyes flashed with mischief. ‘I’m not nearly so well-behaved off the clock.’
Mia cracked up and had to pull her hand back to steady her cup before she dumped it in her lap. ‘I don’t believe that for a minute.’
‘As you wish.’ He sipped his drink. ‘But you’re smiling more now than when you came in.’
‘Must be the tea.’
‘Obviously. Can’t think of anything else around here that could make you smile.’ He shot her a cheeky wink. ‘So, Mia, was it just the soaps you were wanting today, or was there something specific you wanted to chat with Ophelia about, and can I help?’
‘Just a bit of a half-formed idea I wanted to run by her. And maybe Rayenne.’
‘Do you want me to take a message?’
Mia pursed her lips, thinking. ‘Maybe you can help… Do you know much about herbs and stuff?’
‘I’m learning. Though I’ve already discovered I’m more about the munching than the massage, but I could probably be persuaded to make an exception, for the right person…’
‘What…?’ After a couple of seconds she laughed. ‘Oh. You prefer biscuits to bubble baths and oils?’
‘I like tea and biscuits. I’m a dunker. Judge me all you like for it.’ He chuckled. ‘Like I said, I’m still learning about herbs and spices and their uses beyond just flavourings.’
‘If this’ – Mia lifted her cup – ‘is anything to go by, you’re a fast learner.’
‘That’s what Ophelia keeps saying. I have to admit, it does sometimes feel like I’ve been here a lot longer than I really have.’
‘How long is that?’
‘Two and a bit months.’
‘Two months? How is that possible?’
‘Well, Ophelia hired me in January, and it’s March now…’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean that.’ Mia giggled. ‘I was expecting you to say two weeks, not months. I mean, this is Hudsbury.’