Chapter 2 #3
‘Yup. Weird old mix of buildings from every era gone by, river down the middle, odd animals and even odder weather patterns…’
Mia laughed. ‘So, you’ve been here long enough to learn about the fog.’
‘Learn about it? I think I’ve lived it, breathed it and quite possibly absorbed it through my pores! I’m convinced it can roll in out of a blue sky with no warning.’
‘It’s fairies, if you believe local lore. Or the fact that we’re in a valley.’ She shrugged. ‘It’s just one of those weird Hudsbury things. But what I meant was that, here everyone seems to know everyone else and everyone is involved in everyone else’s business. You must have noticed?’
‘It’s certainly friendly.’
‘I just can’t believe you’ve been here two—’
‘And a bit.’
‘—months and this is the first time we’ve met!’
‘Well it definitely is, because I’d have remembered meeting you.’ He shot her a grin that did something to her insides. ‘But maybe it’s not surprising. I’m part-time here. And I don’t usually work today.’
‘I still don’t understand how I’ve not seen you around.’
‘I don’t live in Hudsbury. Just work here and go home. I’m pretty boring.’
‘I don’t believe that for a second.’ Mia felt a flush of warmth when he smiled at that. ‘Where do you live? I cover a lot of the neighbouring areas too.’
‘Middle-of-nowhere place west of here. Anyway, did you want to talk to me about your idea, or would you like to spend longer checking my other… credentials…?’
The way he drew out the word made it sound a lot more dirty – and fun – than what he was asking, and Mia had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
‘I was going to talk to Phe about one of my patients.’
‘You’re a doctor?’
‘Community nurse and midwife.’
‘Wow. I bet that can be really interesting. And rewarding.’
‘It has its moments.’
‘I’ll bet. So, what did you need?’
‘Patient is pregnant, coming to the end of her second trimester, and suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. We thought we had it under control, but the meds that had been working have lost efficacy. Even getting to appointments is too much for her… so she’s on my home visits list.’
‘Oh dear. That sounds… bad.’
‘You have no idea what hyperemesis gravidarum is, have you?’
‘Not a clue. But whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll get her sorted.’
Mia was slightly shocked that someone she’d known for half a cup of tea could think so highly of her. She gave herself another mental shake to refocus. ‘It’s morning sickness. If morning sickness lasted all day, and was so severe mum-to-be basically can’t keep anything down.’
‘Oh. I suppose that explains the smell.’
‘Damn it, I thought I’d got rid of it! I’m so sorry. Is it really bad?’ Even the thought of smelling of vomit turned her stomach.
‘Sorry. I’ve got a really good sense of smell. Others probably wouldn’t have noticed.’
‘Still gross.’ She frowned.
Aiden stood and ran his finger along a shelf before grabbing a small bottle. ‘Try this on your pulse points.’
Mia opened the lid and sniffed: it was fresh, zingy and a bit heady.
‘Mandarin, bergamot and a touch of aloe. Better known as Ophelia’s Don’t Regret the Morning After blend.’
‘She’s dreadful.’ Mia laughed as she rubbed spots of the oil on her wrists and neck. ‘Brilliant, but dreadful. Thanks.’
‘You’re welcome. So, your patient is struggling to eat…?’
‘And drink.’ Mia pulled a face. ‘I can help with IV hydration and nutrition, but it’s hardly ideal. If we can’t find something she can keep down more easily, she’ll end up back in hospital.’
‘And you’re hoping Ophelia and Rayenne might have something helpful?’
Mia nodded. ‘I know it’s a long shot, but I thought it was worth asking. I just want to make sure we’ve tried everything possible.’
‘You owe that to your patient.’ Aiden nodded, and Mia was glad he understood. ‘It might not be such a long shot – women have been pregnant since long before we had anti-sickness drugs and patches. There must have been ways to deal with this then.’
‘Exactly. So, what do you think?’
‘Me? I’m only just learning about her teas and cosmetics. Ophelia’s probably a better bet.’
‘This tea is very good. I’m interested to hear your thoughts.’
‘You’re putting me on the spot here.’
‘I’m pretty sure you can handle it.’ Mia fixed her gaze on Aiden. ‘Come on. I’m waiting,’ she teased.
‘All right.’ He nodded, stroking his neatly trimmed beard. ‘Off the top of my head I know ginger is good for sickness.’
‘So maybe a ginger tea?’
‘Maybe.’ He nodded. ‘I can check Ophelia’s books. There’s probably some essential oils that help with nausea…’
‘Sounds good.’ Mia nodded. ‘But also sounds like that’s more a conversation I should have with Ophelia. What would you do?’
She was rewarded with a slow smile that made his eyes sparkle.
‘I think… and I’m guessing here… I’m tempted to say skip the tea and go straight to biscuits.
Ophelia was saying she thought my baking could be a good carrier for herbal remedies.
I’d have to check which herbs are safe for pregnancy, obviously. ’
‘But you’ll help?’
‘Yeah, I think I’d like to try.’
‘I’ll pay you, of course.’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s just a favour.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yeah.’ He nodded firmly. ‘In fact, if you’ve got a few more minutes, would you consider doing me another favour?’
‘If it tastes as good as your tea, I’m definitely in.’
‘Hopefully.’ He flashed her another grin before heading back to the little kitchen again, absent-mindedly rubbing an itch on his arm.
Aiden pulled the tray out of the oven and tested a biscuit with his finger, although he already knew they’d be done.
Just like he’d known – on some level – that the tea blend was going to work.
He hadn’t really thought about it as he’d picked the herbs for the tea.
And once he’d finished the basic dough for the biscuits, he hadn’t really considered the spices he was picking either – he’d just let his hands move without thought as his mind entered an almost dreamlike state.
He wasn’t sure he understood it – or even liked it – but everything he’d made so far had been delicious, so he tried not to think about it too much.
It was probably just some sort of muscle memory from when he’d cooked with his gran as a kid.
He dished up his newest creations and headed back to the shop floor, hoping the recipe would be good. He did a double take as he walked past the large forest-scape painting that he’d helped Ophelia hang just a week earlier. It looked different somehow…
‘That smells amazing.’
His attention snapped back to Mia, who was smiling, and he felt a thrill of attraction tug at him. She was very pretty, with honey and chestnut hair twisted up in a clip, light brown eyes, an explosion of freckles, and a smile that must have her patients loving her.
‘Just some slow-bake biscuits I’m playing with.’
‘I could get used to your sort of favours.’
The interesting turn of phrase could definitely be meant – and taken – in more than one way. ‘I’d be happy to swap more treats for favours,’ he teased, watching closely for the slight twitch of her lips before she shook her head, rolling her eyes slightly.
‘So, you’re wanting feedback on these too?’
‘Yeah.’ He offered her the plate, then pulled it out of reach. ‘But I should warn you first.’
‘About your biscuits? I told you I don’t have any allergies.’
‘It’s not that. Like I said, I’m still learning when it comes to mixing spices and herbs like this, so they’re experimental.’
‘I’m sure they’ll be fine. They smell delicious.’
‘It’s more what they’re supposed to do. If I’ve got this right, they’ll be a bit spicy.’
‘I like spice. What’s in them?’
‘Ginger. Honey. And a few other interesting things… Ophelia challenged me to come up with something special for Beltane in six weeks.’
‘Beltane’s the fire festival, right?’
‘Yup. Fire and fertility. You know about Beltane?’
‘I know some people round here light bonfires.’ She shrugged. ‘So when you say “spicy”, you don’t just mean the flavour?’
‘Nope. Still willing to risk it?’
‘I think I can handle a few spices.’ Her eyes didn’t leave his as she reached for a biscuit, then took a small bite.
He saw the moment the flavours hit, and her eyes widened before drifting shut as a slight moan escaped her lips.
A few seconds passed before she opened her eyes and flushed slightly when she realised he was watching her. ‘Oh wow. That is…’
‘Good?’
‘Better than good. They’re fantastic.’
‘Almost food-gasmic, right?’
‘Pretty close.’ She snapped what was left in half and studied it. ‘Shortbread?’
‘Close. Traditional biscuits were too thin to carry the flavours well, but I didn’t want it to be as crumbly as a scone.’
‘Well, it works. I can taste ginger and cinnamon clearly. And the honey. What are these pink bits?’
‘Rose. For enchantment, passion and flirtation.’
‘There’s something else there as well, isn’t there?’
‘Dried, powdered lavender and a touch of lemon.’ He leaned forward. ‘The Egyptians used lavender to captivate the attention of lovers – allegedly Cleopatra used it to seduce Julius Caesar.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. Everything in this recipe has some level of aphrodisiac properties. Cinnamon and ginger for spice, heat and lust, and lemon for a fresh, easy-going joyfulness.’
‘Is that it?’
‘Some nutmeg for slow-burn intensity that turns hot into scorching. And maybe a few other bits…’
‘Which you’re not going to tell me about, are you?’
‘Wouldn’t be a secret recipe if I did, would it?’
‘I guess not.’ She laughed. ‘So you’re basically feeding me a sex cookie?’
‘More of a shortbread. And I did warn you.’
‘They’re fantastic. But I think you might have fibbed to me.’
‘How?’
‘You told me you were only learning this, but these are amazing. And you definitely know your stuff. I guess you worked somewhere similar before?’
‘No.’ He laughed. ‘I was in accounts.’
‘You’re kidding?’