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‘You bribed the birds?’

‘Yeah.’ Aiden chuckled. ‘I didn’t want them to tell people before we were ready. I hadn’t thought to speak with the hedgehogs. I didn’t think they’d be interested.’

‘They weren’t until you “made the sky glow like early sunrise”. I think you disturbed their foraging.’

‘I’ll have to apologise to them.’

‘They’re probably still in the garden. If you’re quick, you might catch them before they head back to bed.’

‘Thanks.’ Aiden headed towards the back.

‘Did you know?’ She looked at Mist.

Like you, I had my suspicions. But this is the first time it’s been confirmed.

‘Did you know Mia’s resonant?’

Are you sure? She looked up from cleaning her paws. They are rare.

‘According to the hedgehogs it sounds like she might be.’

Surprising. We will have to keep an eye on that.

‘Agreed.’ They both looked up at the sound of footsteps, and Ophelia smiled as Katie appeared, hair still drying from her shower.

‘Hey, sweetie, you owe me a tenner.’

‘I do? What for?’

‘That bet we made. A tenner and… the certain other thing we discussed.’

Katie’s eyes narrowed in confusion as she thought, then widened. ‘No… Mia and Aiden? No! I warned her off him. There’s no way… you’re winding me up.’

‘I’ll tease you about a lot of things, but not this.’

‘You realise if he hurts her, you’re going to need a new assistant.’

‘I was assuming a lawyer for you too.’

She would only need a lawyer if she got caught. I doubt it would come to that.

Ophelia laughed. ‘You’re probably right.’

‘Sometimes, I feel really left out, not being able to hear her,’ Katie grumbled. ‘Do I want to know what she said?’

‘It was complimentary, I promise.’

The pumpkins started wolf-whistling and commenting as soon as Mia was in view of the shop. She’d thought about staying at home – cuddling up with a book and avoiding the worst of the fallout… and giving Katie time to calm down. But she knew Aiden was working, and it didn’t seem fair to leave him to face it alone.

‘Oi oi! Sugar lips is here!’

‘She ain’t puckering up for you; she’s into him.’

‘Only coz she hasn’t seen what I can do with my stalk!’

‘I will smash you with Phe’s broom and drop you down the well.’ Katie swore at them as she strode past.

‘Calm energy in the store please, sweetie,’ Ophelia called from behind the shop counter as the apple tree started to quiver.