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‘Probably not. Any ideas what else we could focus on?’

‘Maybe one or two,’ Aiden teased, letting his hands wander much, much higher and watching for Mia’s reaction.

9

A few weeks later Aiden pulled his latest batch of scones out of the oven and stared at them in confusion. Despite the fact that he knew he’d shaped them into rounds – the cutter was still drying by the sink – every single one of them had morphed as they’d baked, reforming into hearts.

He moved them to the cooling rack and grabbed a slightly more lopsided one and headed into the shop garden where he whistled, and tore it into crumbs. In less than a minute, the garden was filled with the mini flock of sparrows Rayenne had adopted – feeding and caring for them in exchange for them bringing her the news. She’d always claimed they were much more interesting than actual papers or news sites – on the days her devices and internet signal played fair.

Even though he talked to Mist regularly now, Aiden felt a little weird about this – but it needed to be done, so he awkwardly cleared his throat. ‘May I speak with you? Please.’

A couple of pairs of bright black eyes turned to face him. After a few seconds of chattering, one of the birds – he thought female – hopped closer to him, regarding him curiously from the spot by his foot.

He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out the bag of seeds and dried fruit he’d prepared earlier, and poured some into his palm. He knelt down, offering it to the little bird, who daintily stepped onto his thumb.

‘I know these are your favourites, according to Rayenne at least. And I know that you’ve been friends with her for a long time. But I’d like to think we’re becoming friends too.’ He smiled when the bird peeped in agreement, and he felt the answer clearly in his mind.

She – the flock mama and queen – considered him with his clumpy feet, loud whistles and odd feathers a flock-friend too.

‘I’m honoured,’ he told her. ‘And I was wondering if you would consider doing me a favour. In exchange for appropriate payment, of course.’

The sparrow pecked at the food while she listened, cocking her head to one side to observe him every so often.

Mealworms, she told him. And the sticky red things.

He thought for a couple of moments. ‘Do you mean cherries? The sweet circles we chop into bits?’

Yes. We like cherries! Another bird chirped at her. And millet. The fluffy seeds that grow like long grass.

‘Yes, I know millet.’

Cherries, mealworms and millet and we will do as you ask. You may pet my head now.

‘Right, yes, of course.’ He dutifully did as he was bid.

We like Colourful-Rayenne. She feeds us nice foods and keeps us well. When Bobs-His-Tail was scratched by the strange cat, Colourful-Rayenne looked after him until he was well again. And Mist had yowls with the strange cat until he understood how to behave in Hudsbury. And she guards our fledglings. But we like you too, Clumpy-Feet-Man. You can be flock.

‘I’m proud to be considered flock-worthy.’ He smiled. ‘Have we a deal?’

We do. She flew off to rejoin her flock. Though we’d have done it just for the cherries. We don’t care that much about what you food scatterers do.

‘Fair enough.’ Aiden chuckled. ‘And thank you.’ He turned around and headed back to the store.

Rayenne wasn’t back from lunch, and it sounded like Ophelia was upstairs, so he had some time. ‘Right… Frank…’ He felt a bit odd addressing the thin air, but he wasn’t taking any chances. ‘On the off chance that you were listening in, I’ll thank you very much to keep things to yourself.’ The air around him vibrated slightly. ‘I don’t need your help with anything, thanks. And it’s none of your business. It’s none of anyone’s business, and that’s the point. I don’t want to threaten you, Frank, but I will not have you interfering with Mia again. Or talking about us. I don’t know how to exorcise a ghost yet, but I’m a quick learner. You don’t want me to learn how, do you?’

The air shimmered and grumbled, but he got the strong sense ‘Frank’ agreed.

The cheerful shop chimes made him look up, and then do a double take as a giant pumpkin wearing Rayenne’s purple boots staggered in.

‘Need a hand?’ He rushed to help.

‘Thanks.’

‘I would have happily helped you fetch this if you’d asked.’ He was surprised at the weight of it.

‘I hadn’t planned on it, but the farm had a stall out, and Lorraine had earmarked it for us…’

‘Next time, call me.’ He heaved it onto the shop counter. ‘This must weigh more than you!’