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‘Just another Hudsbury thing?’

Jack-o’-lanterns are designed for souls to haunt.

‘Really?’

Of course. According to ancient legend there was a trickster named Jack who – long story short because my sunspot is waiting – conned the Devil twice, including into agreeing to never claim his soul. But Jack was not welcomed into heaven either, so when he died, he was left a-wandering – carrying only a burning coal the devil threw him out of spite. Jack, allegedly, hollowed out a turnip and used it to carry the glowing ember as he endlessly searched for the rest he would never find… his only comfort: curling up with that glowing light in the endless dark.

‘And pumpkins…?’

Bigger, showier and easier to carve. But still a handy place for spirits to rest.

‘And haunt?’

Well, it is Hudsbury.

‘I’m getting a feeling this October is going to be really interesting.’ Aiden grinned.

You have no idea.

There was something in the tone of the cat’s ‘voice’ that made Aiden hesitate. ‘What do you mean?’ But Mist had already trotted away.

He shook his head and went back to carving the pumpkin.

He was just about done when Ophelia stuck her head into the kitchen. ‘That’s looking really good, but finish up and get yourself off home. I’m closing the shop now.’

‘Will do, thanks.’

A knock at the door a few minutes later brought him out into the now empty store, and he grinned to see Mia standing there, swathed in a massive scarf. ‘Hello, Princess.’

‘This is a nice surprise, I didn’t think you’d be here still.’ Her hand went to his arm and squeezed, her thumb rubbing over his skin.

‘Didn’t think I was seeing you either until tomorrow night. That is, unless you’re here to cancel?’

‘No. In fact, I was kind of hoping Friday nights might become a sort of standing non-date?’ He couldn’t tell if the pink tint to her cheeks was the gorgeous flush she so often got when he teased her, or just coming from the cold outdoors to the warmth of the shop, but she was adorable, nonetheless.

‘Really?’

‘Maybe?’

‘That would work for me. Really well.’

‘Good. Me too.’ She smiled happily. ‘Are you still planning on arriving later and staying a bit longer?’

‘Yeah, if that’s OK.’ It was the highlight of his week – and for a lot more reasons than the obvious.

‘Definitely OK.’ She nodded.

‘So, if you weren’t here especially for me, who were you looking for?’

‘Katie. We’re off out. Drinks and then ghost-hunting.’

‘Really?’ He wondered – hoped – that meant Mia might be more ‘awake’ than the others thought, and that he could talk to her about all the amazing things he’d been experiencing.

‘I think it’s probably going to be a few ghost stories and some people in fancy dress jumping out and yelling Boo! a few times, but it should be a laugh.’

‘You don’t believe in ghosts and… stuff?’

‘Not really. Why, do you?’