Chapter 8 #2
‘Tempting but I need to get home.’ He shot Mia a smile. ‘Walk you out? In case there’s any toads lurking that you need protecting from.’
‘Sure.’ Mia giggled, and Aiden was pleased to see another flash of her usual sunshine returning. He really could have happily decked the moron who stole it from her – even for a day.
He held the door open for her – as always – and followed her down the street towards the little car park.
‘Thanks, Aiden.’ Mia smiled up at him as they fell into step. He had to slow down a bit to match her shorter stride, but it was worth it for a few more minutes in her sunshine. ‘For listening to me complain, for making me smile. And the brownies. They really were delicious.’
‘You’re more than welcome.’
‘Do you want to hear the other stupid thing the idiot said?’
‘There was more?’
‘Yeah, but this one’s funny. So long as it’s just between us.’
‘If you want to share, I’m all ears.’
‘He thought I was just a nurse. Just.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘When he found out I’m a midwife too, he said he wasn’t sure he could be attracted to someone who spent so much time with her hands in other women’s minky fufus.’
‘Total idiot.’ Aiden laughed so hard he had to stop walking. ‘He actually said that?’
‘Word for word. You don’t think I’d say “minky fufus”, do you?’ Mia laughed with him, her shoulders shaking as she covered her face and groaned. ‘I’ll remind you I’m a professional. But can you imagine Katie’s reaction?’
‘Eee. Scary.’
Mia shuddered before starting walking again. ‘I really do know how to pick them, don’t I?’
‘You deserve so much better. I really hope you find your prince soon, without any more of these amphibious a-holes.’
She gave him an odd look. ‘You really mean that, don’t you?’
‘I do. You’re very special, Mia. You deserve your happy ever after.’
‘Special? Yeah right,’ she scoffed. ‘Bet you found someone to replace me pretty fast.’
‘What?’ His brain did a double take.
‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘Probably not.’
They walked into the little car park together, and he stopped by his bike.
‘Thanks again, Aiden.’
He probably – almost definitely – shouldn’t have said it. But his tongue took leave of his senses. ‘Hey, Mia? I didn’t.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’ He should have left it then and there. Should have waved to her and shoved his helmet onto his head to stop himself talking. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. ‘And if you ever need reminding of how truly spectacular you are – and how much you’re worth – you know where I am.’
‘Are you being serious right now?’ Her eyes locked with his.
‘Nope. Not in the least. That’s the point, right?’ His fingers tightened, digging into the padding of his helmet.
‘Right. Just another… friendly favour.’
‘And we are friends.’
‘It’s not like it would change anything…’ she mused. ‘Because nothing has changed. No prince charmings or goth princesses yet.’
‘Not a black tutu in sight.’
‘Although one thing did change…’
‘Oh?’
Mia leaned over his bike. ‘We found out that sex between us is really, really good. And that we can have fun and stay friends.’
‘True.’
‘Should we? What do you think?’
‘I think I want you to spell things out for me please, to make sure the next thing I say isn’t stupid or insulting or both.’
‘I think you’d have to try quite hard to be stupid, Aiden.
And I don’t think you’re naturally given to insulting people either.
’ The smile she gave him was as warm as sunshine.
‘But if you want it simply: we had great fun together, and stayed friends. And maybe I could do with a reminder. So, would you like to get together this Friday for something resembling a repeat of that… previous Friday favour?’
‘I really would.’ He had a feeling his smile matched hers.
‘Good.’ She giggled. ‘Because I didn’t actually get a chance to examine your artwork.’
‘Now I think of it, I still don’t know how far your freckles go.’
‘So, this Friday then?’
‘I’d really like that. Only, could it be a bit later? It’s just that dinner at home thing is a standing arrangement. If I came over later, I could stay longer.’
‘Later would be good. Give me a chance to get home and relax a bit. And I like the sound of “longer”…’ If she thought there was anything odd in him essentially inviting himself to her home, she didn’t comment. ‘I guess I’ll see you Friday then. If not sooner.’
‘Yeah. See you Friday… Ludmila?’
She snorted with laughter. ‘Not even close, Biker Boy, not even close.’
If she’d noticed that the streetlamps were glowing more brightly, taking on an almost pinky hue and illuminating the iridescent wings of moths that danced beneath them, she didn’t comment. He was certain she didn’t notice the heart-like patterns the insects twirled in.
That Friday, Aiden dropped the dirty jars and mortar and pestle into the sink in Glimmers’ little kitchen, dumped in washing liquid then reached for the scrubbing brush.
He grabbed the first jar and started to scrub, only to feel the oddest resistance…
like the water was thicker than it should be, or the brush was heavier.
He lifted it out of the water and stared in confusion for a second or two: it looked normal enough.
Right until it tugged itself out of his hands and dived into the sudsy water.
What the actual…? ‘Uh, boss? Anything you might want to tell me?’ He watched as the water churned and foamed. ‘Like maybe about the kitchen?’
The sink turned into a whirlpool, making the jars rattle and complain as water sloshed over the sink. He jumped backwards, almost colliding with Ophelia.
‘Oh, it worked!’ She clapped her hands gleefully.
‘What, exactly, is “it”?’
‘I found a spell to help us clean.’
‘OK.’ He eyed the tidal wave of water sloshing over the bowl. ‘Do you think you can turn it down a bit?’
‘Turn it… Ooh!’
Aiden shoved her down as the brush flew over their heads and into the store, where it raced over the shop counter, sending receipts and paperwork flying.
She said something he didn’t understand – words that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, but had zero effect on the brush, which launched itself at the shelves, scattering crystals and candles.
‘Ophelia…?’
‘I’m not sure…’ She shouted something, but the brush still zoomed around the store, scrubbing and spewing bubbles, changing direction randomly. ‘I might have given it a bit too much oomph!’
Aiden hit the floor, dragging her with him as the brush zoomed over their heads, close enough to leave a trail of bubbles in her curls. ‘You think? What do we do now?’ He pulled her behind the counter as it launched itself at the bath bombs, sending them fizzing and rolling all over the shop.
‘I have no idea.’
I suppose it’s down to me to sort this out. Mist leapt onto the counter. As usual.
She watched as the brush zipped around the floor, smashing into the newly released bath bombs and exploding them into plumes of colourful scent.
I better be getting tuna for this. Or prawns.
At the very least. Her tail twitched twice, and then she pounced, all claws and teeth.
There were a few seconds of angry yowls, more soft poofs as bath bombs skidded across the floor and slammed into the walls, counters and furniture, and then it was over, with Mist sitting firmly on the brush.
Would someone please deal with this? She sneezed five times in a row.
A minute later and the brush had been tied firmly to a table leg, where it spun hyperactively, anxiously scrubbing every inch of the floor it could reach. Rayenne was doing her best to wipe the multicoloured streaks of bath bomb from Mist’s fur as she cradled the cat in her skirts.
‘I’m not sure this is working. We might need to give you a…’
Do not say it.
‘But Mist…’
But nothing. I am not a duck. I will not be bathed. She shuddered and spat the word out.
‘We can’t leave you covered in bath-bomb residue.’
‘Maybe we could hoover or brush it out,’ Aiden suggested, earning him an evil glare.
The things I put up with… She glared at Ophelia. How did you cause this chaos?
‘I would also like to know what happened.’ Rayenne looked up from her attempts to clean Mist.
‘I tried to spell it to be more helpful.’
‘And how were you feeling when you spelled it?’
‘Fine.’
‘Not a little annoyed, or anxious, or a bit hyper?’
‘Umm…’
And that answers that question, Mist grumbled.
‘It wasn’t deliberate.’
‘But you do know better.’
Aiden quickly retreated to the kitchen to dry up the tidal wave and finish washing up while they squabbled.
When he was done, they were still discussing how best to end the spell, with Mist advocating incinerating the brush.
He put the kettle on to boil and pulled out his phone, thinking they all deserved a drink before starting to clear up the shop.
He smiled when he saw a message from Mia.
Hey, how’s your week been?
Not that great. His mum had had another fall, badly bruising her wrist and knee, but she was OK and nothing had been broken that wasn’t easily replaced, so he’d settle for that and focus on the positive. And he couldn’t tell her about the latest chaos in Glimmers.
Same old, same old. But it’s Friday afternoon, my bakes for the café are all pre-prepped. Bit of chaos in the store, but nothing I couldn’t clear up. How about yours?
It got a lot better after my brownie delivery, thanks. Lots of happy patients and no terrible news this week.
Sounds good.
Yeah, I’d say so. Are you still planning on coming over later?
I am. If I’m still welcome?
Of course you are.
The little emoticon rolled its eyes at him, making him laugh.
Hey, Emily?
Nope. What?
Damn. Thought that was a good guess. Is it really bad that I’m wondering what you’re doing right now?
The little dots for her reply appeared almost immediately.
I wouldn’t say it’s bad. Bit cheeky, maybe.
How do you feel about cheeky?
From you? Usually amusing.
So what are you doing right now?
He felt a rush of air and his hand tingled, and he watched in shock as his words blurred and rearranged themselves on the screen:
What are you wearing?