Chapter 3
‘They really are beautiful choices.’ Aiden finished wrapping the purchases for Glimmers’ latest customer. ‘I’ve popped one of the leaflets on basic crystal usage in the bag, along with your massage oils.’
‘Thank you. I really appreciate your expertise.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Aiden wouldn’t admit to the customer that he picked based more on instinct than knowledge. ‘I hope your wife loves them.’
‘I think she will. I didn’t know what I was looking for when I came in here, but I have a feeling these will be perfect.’
‘I think so too,’ Aiden agreed. ‘Most people tend to find what they’re looking for in Glimmers – whether they know it when they walk in or not.
’ As he saw the customer out and shut the door against the spring cold, he realised what he’d said wasn’t quite right: it wasn’t most people.
It was everyone. He couldn’t remember the last person he’d seen walk out empty-handed – even if it was just a free crystal or samples Ophelia or Rayenne pressed into their hands.
Which was weird. He was still wondering about that when a clattering thump and some very interesting curses emanated from the book nook.
‘Oh dear.’ He tried not to laugh when he found Ophelia halfway up a bookshelf, clinging on like a spider, while clutching a book to her chest. The upended chair on the floor told him how she’d got up there, and what had caused the thump.
And why the air seemed oddly thick and heavy with occult swearing. ‘“Cackling cauldrons” is a new one.’
‘Are you going to help or just laugh?’
‘Well, it is pretty amusing…’
‘Do you ever want to have matching socks again? Because it’s pretty easy to hex your washing machine to eat one of every pair.’
‘Really?’
‘They like doing it anyway, so it’s barely a spell. More like encouragement.’
He filed that thought away for contemplating later. ‘Most of my socks are black.’ He picked up the chair. ‘I’m not convinced I’d notice the difference.’
‘Miscast cauldron stain! Will you just get me down already?’
‘Chair’s back in place.’
‘I’m not trusting it. It already moved by itself once.’
‘Chairs don’t move by themselves, Ophelia.’ Aiden reached up to wrap his hands round her waist. ‘You probably just kicked it as you were climbing. Come on down. I’ve got you.’
‘Thanks.’ She clambered down, still cradling the book.
‘What is it that was worth nearly hurting yourself for?’
‘A book.’
‘I can see that.’ Aiden dragged his hands through his hair. ‘I meant what book?’
‘Ficklepot’s Menagerie and Meanderings. I’ve been looking for it for days. It’s a brilliant book, but it does have an annoying habit of wandering off.’
‘Forgetting where you left something doesn’t mean it wandered off. Just like the missing stapler that was in the fridge.’
‘That was Rayenne. This book moves itself.’
‘Ophelia,’ Aiden replied patiently, ‘books, like chairs and staplers, don’t move themselves…’
‘Oh, bless you, sweet summer child, for believing that still.’
‘They’re inert objects. It’s Newton’s first law of physics: objects at rest stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. You must have knocked it.’
‘I swear on the moon’s shadow that I didn’t. And what makes you think I’m the only “outside force” in the room?’
‘Because I have eyes and can see you’re the only one here.’ He chuckled.
‘And since when does that mean anything to the price of newts’ eyes?’
‘So, you’re blaming the invisible man?’
‘Don’t be daft. That was a comic-book creation. Sci-fi nonsense. Our ghosts are far more real.’
‘Ophelia, don’t you think it’s a little bit more likely that you just knocked the chair while climbing than imagining Glimmers is haunted?’
‘Haunted can be a very emotive word… Hollywood’s done a lot of damage to it.’
Aiden stared at her, mind whirring. Lately he’d started wondering if there might be something more to some of Ophelia’s comments and jokes she made about demons and hexes. He was just about to ask what she meant when her phone started rumbling and beeping.
‘Oh, hawthorn curse it. I’m supposed to be heading to a house clearance.’
‘Do you need help moving furniture?’
‘What? Oh no. Not that type of clearance.’ She pulled a face. ‘Will you be OK here, by yourself?’
‘Sure. I should be able to handle any customers and finish off the biscuits for Mia.’
‘Oh, Mia’s coming, is she?’
Aiden shot the door a suspicious glare – had the chimes just whispered a soft jingle?
‘Yeah. She’s picking up the morning-sickness biscuits I’ve been working on.’
‘Right. Biscuits. Of course.’ She gave him an odd smile, and for a second or two, Aiden found he couldn’t look away, or even blink.
Then she shook her head, and he could move again.
He still wasn’t sure what was going on when that happened, but thought bringing it up would sound silly.
‘I should get going. Have a good afternoon. And I don’t say it enough, but thanks, Aiden.
As much as I like to wind you up, hiring you might have been one of the best things I’ve ever done for Glimmers.
Usually, people walk in and the shop helps them find exactly what they need…
even if they didn’t know they needed it.
I didn’t know I needed you until the shop called you in. ’
‘And there I was thinking it was my bike playing up and crappy weather that brought me in here!’
‘OK.’ She shrugged. ‘If that’s the story you want to tell yourself, so be it. Anyway, must dash… Sounds like this spirit has been waiting for too long already!’
He watched as she bustled around, gathering up things that he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to know the purpose of. After she pulled out the second bunch of rosemary and a crystal that gave him an uneasy feeling, he gave himself a shake and headed to the kitchen.
A couple of hours later, he was struggling not to fidget and feeling a lot more nervous than he’d expected as he watched Mia nibble the biscuit he’d created. It had taken him three attempts over as many days and numerous tweaks to create a recipe he was happy with. ‘What do you think?’
‘Delicious. Again.’ Mia smiled. ‘If this is what you can do with butter, sugar, eggs and flour, I can’t help wondering what you’d create from a whole fridge and pantry.’
‘You angling for a dinner invite?’ The words escaped before he’d thought them through and remembered that would be a bad idea, so he quickly changed the subject. ‘I’m glad you like them. Do you think they’ll help your patient?’
‘I hope so. I’d like her to try them, and we’ll see how she gets on.’
‘Makes sense. I made some of Ophelia’s ginger tea too – minus the liquorice but with citrus for flavour and added vitamin C. She’s pretty excited… already talking about a possible new range.’
‘That sounds like Ophelia. Always very enthusiastic. Thank you.’ Mia rested her hand on his arm. ‘I really do appreciate it.’
‘You’re more than welcome.’ Her hand was warm on his skin. ‘I just hope it helps your patient.’
‘I still have a good feeling about it.’ Mia squeezed his arm. When he looked down, she yanked her hand away like she’d just realised what she was doing. ‘What do I owe you for this?’
‘Nothing. If they work, I’m sure Ophelia will sell them at the usual rate.’
‘You’ve put time and effort into these, it feels wrong not to pay you.’
‘I told you, it’s another favour.’
‘Does that mean you expect me to give you treats? That’s what we agreed, wasn’t it?
Treats for favours?’ That teasing lilt was back in her voice, and he couldn’t help wondering what would happen if he gave in to temptation, broke all his rules and said yes.
Yes to dinner. Yes to the treats, to the flirtation, to everything.
‘Although,’ Mia continued, ‘I’m not sure I’d want to bake for you. You’ve definitely got me out-skilled!’
‘It’s only baking.’ He chuckled. ‘I’m sure there’s lots of things you’re much better at than I am.’
‘I can’t think of many. And none this delicious!’
‘I bet there’s loads of things you’re good at.’
‘None that I can think of appropriate for polite company.’
‘The first time we met, we talked about sex cookies.’
‘We did.’ Mia laughed.
‘So, I’m not sure how “polite” my company is. And now I’m intrigued…’
‘I meant most things that happen in my line of work aren’t appropriate for public discussion. Cheeky!’
‘Fair enough.’ Aiden shrugged. ‘But I’d argue being a nurse is a lot more impressive than any amount of biscuits I’ll ever make. Can I ask you something?’
‘Sure.’
‘Even if it’s a bit cheeky?’
‘We’ve been talking about sex cookies.’
‘True.’
‘And I can always ignore your question if it’s that bad.’
‘Fair enough. How on earth are you single? I mean, are the men in Hudsbury blind, or just stupid?’
‘Maybe it’s me, not them.’
‘Can’t believe that.’
‘You should. It is me. I’m waiting for Prince Charming and fairy-tale magic. What?’
Aiden choked down a laugh. ‘Sorry, but are you really waiting for your Disney Dream Dude?’
Mia nodded. ‘I blame my parents.’
‘Too many fairy-tales?’
‘They are the fairy-tale. Together over four decades, and still crazy in love. Dad’s always stopping to kiss Mum on the cheek, or give her a flower from the garden.
Mum quite literally sings and dances in the kitchen – they’re just that happy together.
And in the evenings, they sit on the couch holding hands, or Mum resting her feet on Dad’s lap, while they watch TV or read, or do crosswords together.
I grew up seeing what true love really is, and I don’t want to settle for anything less, even if my friends think I’m setting the bar too high and will end up living with a colony of cats.
If that makes me sound silly, I don’t care. ’
‘I don’t think it’s silly to know what you want and go after it. A solid life plan can be really positive.’
‘You sound like you’ve got one yourself? Let me guess. A goth princess all about corsets and tats, who’ll march down the aisle in biker boots and black lace?’
Aiden laughed loudly. ‘Nah. I don’t see myself as the wedding bells type.’ He ignored the thickening in his throat. ‘Far too much fun to be had.’