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Mia took a moment to relax and breathe in the peace and calm of the store. Ophelia – and probably Aiden – had gone all out decorating, with swags and garlands of ribbons, greenery, flowers and tiny lights swooping across the store. There were bunnies, eggs and more troublesome fairies mixed in with the candles dotted amongst some of her prettier antiques and jewellery.

Mia heard it before she saw it, which she knew didn’t make sense, but it was the only way to describe the keening hum in her mind. She wasn’t sure – exactly – if the air around her had darkened, or if the space around it was lighter, but suddenly the crystal was the brightest thing in the store – like it had suddenly worked out how to reflect sunlight that couldn’t possibly reach the shelf so far from the window.

She didn’t have any choice but to pick up the small, lilacky stone heart and tilt it back and forth in her hands, utterly fascinated by the way it flashed light and rainbows back to her. Somehow she wasn’t surprised that it was warm.

‘You have good taste.’ Aiden’s voice was soft behind her. ‘It’s pink amethyst.’

‘It’s pretty.’

‘It’s a powerful stone too. Ophelia would probably tell you it has soft, feminine energies, with a strong protective side that’s good for peace, calm and compassion under pressure. Fairly good for someone in your line of work. It attracts love too.’

‘All that from a crystal?’ Mia weighed the stone in her palm, not wanting to put it back on its shelf.

‘Yes. If you believe in crystal healing and energies like that.’

‘And do you?’

‘Rayenne’s teaching me reiki, so I think I’m starting to. It makes sense. The world we live in is made up of energy – physics proves that – and reiki teaches you to manipulate and channel that energy to heal. I don’t think it replaces the medicine you do, but do I think it can help? Yes. At least, I hope so. And I think crystals are another tool which helps us to do that.’

‘And you really think this one will help me find my soulmate?’

‘I think what you think, and what you believe, is more important. Do you want me to ring it up and abuse my staff discount for you?’

‘I couldn’t ask you to do that.’ Mia still held the crystal tightly, not wanting to leave without it, but not fully understanding why.

‘You didn’t ask. I offered. And it’s a friends and family discount. So, either you’re going to say “thank you, Aiden” or you’re going to callously break my heart by telling me we’re not friends. Because you don’t look like you want to leave without it.’

‘Thank you, Aiden.’ She smiled, paid and headed off to her next patient.

The following week Mia cooed to the baby as she snuggled him back into his blanket and returned him to his mother’s arms. ‘I know, Peter, it’s all so undignified, isn’t it? He’s looking really good, Natasha. Gaining just as he should be. And I agree, the rash does look a lot better. How’s Ellie liking being a big sister?’

‘Well, she’s hardly that big.’ Natasha smiled at the toddler tucked against her side. ‘But she’s wonderful. She adores Peter.’

Ellie nodded around the thumb stuck firmly in her mouth.

‘And how are you doing with feeding? Any discomfort or difficulties?’

‘The usual sensitivity.’ Natasha stroked her son’s cheek. ‘Nothing I can’t handle.’

‘Good. But how are you, Mama? Are things settling down from the birth?’

‘Yep. I had some cramping and spotting, but nothing I can’t handle – or didn’t expect.’

‘Yep. You’re a real pro at this now. Your mummy’s brilliant, isn’t she, Ellie?’

‘I have a brilliant team looking after me and helping make sure I don’t mess anything up.’

‘Nah, you do all the hard work. I just turn up for cuddles.’ Mia stroked Peter’s soft cheek again. ‘How’s Eric?’

‘Loving being a dad again. He does at least one of the night feeds, if I’ve been able to express enough – otherwise he gets up and brings Peter to me in bed. He does the night nappies too, which almost makes up for the fact that he’s already bought him a football kit.’

‘You’re not into football?’

‘Not when it’s blue! I’m red through and through.’

‘Oh dear.’ Mia laughed. ‘Not a sport I follow, myself.’

‘Probably smart. It can get expensive, and stressful. Especially when you’ve got opposing teams in one house!’