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‘Not a bit! I’m thrilled for you, I really am. You know that. But Aiden? You know you’re getting stick from me for picking him.’

‘You know I was nicer to you than this when you first introduced me to Ophelia.’

‘Yeah, but you always were the nicer, kinder one of us. And it is Aiden.’ She cackled. ‘But seriously, so long as you’re happy, I am too. You know that.’

‘I do.’ Mia leaned against her friend’s shoulder. ‘Love you, Kitikat.’

‘Love you too, Mimi.’

‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Sounds interesting. You don’t usually ask me first. What’s up?’

‘Well.’ She glanced to the kitchen and lowered her voice. ‘You’re not magical and you’re with Ophelia.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Is it different for you, being with her, than it was with others who weren’t magical?’

‘Of course it is.’ Katie laughed. ‘Most non-gifted people don’t have to share their home with someone who has full conversations with a cat who you can’t hear or put up with appliances that randomly become possessed or enchanted. And that’s before you consider the spells…’

‘Really? Possessed appliances?’

‘The toaster oven was the worst.’ Katie shook her head.

Mia filed that thought away to ask about later. ‘I meant, like, intimately…’ She felt the blush start to rise.

‘Do you mean like using spells and stuff for sex? Because there’s a few tricks Ophelia has…’

‘No, that’s not what I meant. Hang on, really? You can use magic for… Actually, no. I’m not going there.’

Katie chuckled. ‘What are you trying to ask, Mimi?’

‘I don’t think he’s spelling me… not deliberately… but it’s so intense. Everything becomes colour and sound and sensation – even the things that usually aren’t that – and it’s like I can feel what he’s feeling and it feeds into what I’m feeling and it just keeps getting more and more until… bam!’ She exploded her fingers, trying to demonstrate what she couldn’t explain.

‘Wow. So bibbity-bobbity-boink-bang! No wonder you were late. I almost feel a bit jealous. That sounds incredible.’

‘It really is. But… you don’t think it’s just a magic thing?’

‘No. But you could ask Phe…’

‘No! I’d be too embarrassed.’

‘I’ll ask her for you.’ Katie shrugged.

‘No! Why don’t you tell me about this ball I’ve agreed to go to, instead?’ Mia wanted to change the subject. ‘And why I’ve dragged over that truly awful bridesmaid dress I’d hoped to never see again. Because there is no way I want to be seen in public in lilac satin again…’

‘Oh, we’re going to have some real fun with this.’ She grinned evilly and produced a pair of sharp scissors. ‘A few alterations to start with, and Ophelia’s help.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ She came out of the flat’s little kitchen, holding a toasted sandwich and mug. ‘I had a feeling you might be needing this.’

‘Thank you.’ Mia appreciated that she didn’t tease her like Katie did.

‘Sorry it’s not very exciting, but you know what I’m like in the kitchen. Cheese and ham in the toaster oven is just about my limit.’

‘It’s great, thank you.’ Mia hesitated when she took the plate. ‘You don’t mean the possessed oven, do you?’