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‘Do you think he’s ready to?’

Even more doubtful. Don’t push it. You’ll scare him off.

‘I know. I’ll be careful.’

2

Ten weeks later, Aiden rode into Hudsbury, parked in the little car park hidden behind the doctor’s, and strolled through the tiny high street. He passed the church, where the yew tree was tied with a rainbow of remembrance ribbons, the fairy statue – whose feet were polished from all the hands that touched them to wish for safety – overlooking the river, and the ancient gatepost that residents knocked for extra luck.

It was foggy again. It hadn’t been when he’d left home, but he wasn’t surprised when he’d rounded the top of the hill to find the little town still tucked up in its sleepy shroud of mist in the valley below.

As a biker, he hated fog – it blurred and softened the world, making it harder to see where the road ended and the sky began. And where danger waited. But in Hudsbury he liked how it wrapped around things, making the world seem cosier and changing the tone in the air until the buildings seemed to hum in welcome. And how droplets glistened on the fat yellow rosebuds that bloomed early in the garden of the funny-shaped house on the corner.

He paused by the shop door and bent down to pet the grey cat that twirled around his ankles. ‘Hello, Mist.’

The cat gave him one of those stares – like she knew exactly what he’d been up to and wasn’t the least bit impressed. She allowed Aiden the privilege of petting her for a few more seconds before ceasing to find him interesting and wending her way through the door.

The shop felt warm and welcoming as always and the floorboards squeaked and creaked their usual greeting. Some days, when he was feeling more fanciful, he almost thought the pattern of noises might mimic the cadence of speech: Morning! How’s you? What’s your news? Come in and look around… He shook his head at his silliness – clearly Ophelia, and her habit of talking to creatures and things like they were sentient, was rubbing off on him.

‘Morning. Want coffee?’ He winced when her voice rang out from the kitchen – he’d hoped to sneak in before she’d come down from her flat.

‘Yes please.’ He sauntered over and leaned in the bookcase-cum-door.

‘Weren’t you wearing that yesterday?’ Ophelia pulled a face as she handed over the steaming, richly scented mug. ‘I take it you spent the night with the lovely Linda?’

‘Actually, Linda was last month. Yesterday was the rather delectable Deanna.’

‘Goddess above. What are you like?’

‘Can I help it if I’m irresistible to women?’ He grinned.

Ophelia shook her head. ‘It’s bizarre to me – the idea of sharing so much of yourself with so many different women. What’s this? Third since I’ve known you?’

‘Mmm. Something like that,’ Aiden murmured as he gulped his too-hot coffee. He hadn’t realised Ophelia was trying to keep track – although she hadn’t done a very good a job if she thought last night’s new friend was only number three, and he wasn’t about to correct her. ‘Besides, what am I supposed to do when the two most gorgeous women I know have taken each other off the market?’

‘Watch it,’ Ophelia warned, laughing.

‘What? It’s the truth!’

‘I think she’s warning you about me, Romeo!’ Katie elbowed him in the ribs.

‘Sorry.’ Aiden stepped out of the way of the shorter woman, his mouth already watering at the smell of bacon.

‘You do know that I’m the one paying you, not her?’ Ophelia grumbled. ‘Why do you do what she says, but not me?’

‘Because you’re nice. Katie’s scarier. And she feeds me.’ Aiden grinned.

‘I probably shouldn’t have started that, but I’ve always had a soft spot for strays.’ Katie giggled. ‘That’s how we semi-adopted Mist. Or she adopted us. Now you’re mostly domesticated, stopping seems mean. Bacon sarnies?’

‘I swear, boss, you found yourself an angel.’ He quickly kissed Katie’s cheek while snagging a sandwich. ‘You’re lucky you met her first, otherwise I’d have stolen her.’

‘Shut up.’ Katie smacked his arm.

‘See? Told you she’s scary!’

‘Again, I’m the one who pays you. Not to mention, owning a magical store.’

‘Yeah, but you like my baking too much to curse me,’ he teased, still unsure how many of her comments about magic were jokes and how many she really believed.