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‘It’s a lot, right? Finding out magic is real, having it conspire against us, and now this…’

‘It’s incredible,’ she whispered back. ‘And, for the record, I’m pretty glad about the local conspiracy. Although, I have to say, if I’m never sworn at again by a pumpkin, I’ll probably be OK with it!’

‘Agreed! I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to kick a vegetable so hard!’ He laughed. ‘Are you sure you’re OK here?’

‘I’m better than OK. I’m with you.’ Her smile warmed him more than the giant firepits burning in the corners of the room, protected by spell bubbles that sucked the smoke away from merrymakers. ‘What should we do first, drink or dance?’

‘I’d love to dance with you.’

‘Then, Mr Griffiths, may I please have this dance?’ She dipped in a brief curtsey, smiling at him the whole time.

‘Of course, Nurse Howard. I’d be honoured.’ He gathered her up in his arms where she felt so good, and so right. ‘By the way, have I mentioned how much I love your shoes?’

‘When did you even see them?’

‘Haven’t. But they put you at the perfect height to make this’ – he brushed a kiss against her cheek – ‘even easier.’

‘Thought we were dancing?’ But the rose-quartz pink flush in her cheeks told him she wasn’t really put out.

‘Confession time.’ He murmured the words into her ear. ‘I’ve never considered myself a good dancer.’

‘So long as you try not to kick me or tread on my toes too often, we’ll be fine,’ she promised. ‘Besides, for my own confession, I’d have to admit it’s not the actual dancing I’m enjoying most about tonight.’

‘It isn’t?’ He was caught between nerves and excitement, where that weird expression ‘heart in your mouth’ actually made some sense.

‘Dancing is nice. But this’ – she stroked her thumb along his finger where their hands were clasped – ‘being able to hold your hand, kiss you, touch you, without hiding and having everyone know we’re together… This is a whole lot better than just “nice” for me. It’s something a lot more special.’

In that moment – and the ones that followed – with magic and Mia’s fragrance all around him, her hand firm and reassuring in his, her silky dress warm against his palm and her soft laughter happy in his ears, he felt more at home – and more like himself – than he ever had in his life.

‘Well, look who finally turned up,’ Katie – dressed as a rainbow fairy, complete with wings that fluttered in a non-existent breeze – greeted them, while balancing two small fizzing cauldrons that had drinking straws and tiny paper parasols decorated with bats and pumpkins. ‘I won’t ask you why you’re so late, because I’m worried you’d tell me!’

Mia giggle and flushed, while Aiden shrugged unapologetically.

‘You look amazing, Katie! Rainbow sparkles suit you!’ Mia gave her friend a careful hug.

‘Do you think? It’s a bit different from my usual look. Do you like my ears? Fake of course, unlike some people’s…’

‘What?’

‘I hear you’re partly to thank for Mia’s amazing dress.’ Aiden shot her a wink over Mia’s head.

‘It was fun working with Phe. It’s not often she lets me play with her spells while she’s still casting them… Then again, given how long it took to clean up last time, that’s probably for the best! The bubbles got everywhere. Anyway, I must dash. Phe likes her Veil Lifter cocktails best when they’re still fizzing! You both look wonderful. Come find us later!’

‘We will!’ Mia promised, and they watched as she disappeared into the crowd forming on the dancefloor, trailing shimmers of glitter that sparkled for a few seconds in the air before vanishing.

Aiden grinned as he watched her go, making a mental note to ask Ophelia about the bubbles at some point. It sounded like a good story. ‘Do you fancy one of those?’

‘Maybe in a bit?’ Mia wrinkled her nose, looking adorable. ‘I’m not sure I’m brave enough yet!’

‘More dancing?’

‘That I can definitely handle.’ She stepped back into his arms and the room around them faded away.

A few songs later, his thoughts, and their dance – such as it was – were interrupted when a mummy tapped Mia on the shoulder. She peered at the bandage-clad man for a couple of seconds in confusion. ‘I was going to wait to say hi, but you two don’t seem like you’re stopping anytime soon.’

‘Hello!’ Mia threw herself into the other man’s arms, who cheerfully lifted her off the floor in a huge hug and spun her around, sending a shot of something dark through Aiden. ‘I barely recognised you in this get-up! I can’t believe you’re here!’

‘I’ve missed you too, Mimi.’ The man lowered her to the floor carefully. ‘And you look gorgeous.’