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‘I can’t say I’m that surprised.’ Mia leaned against his shoulder. ‘The Samhain ball there was beautiful, and it’s a stunning venue.’

‘Still a shame.’

‘It would have been expensive, though.’

‘It would have been worth it.’ He shrugged. ‘And we’d have managed.’

I could help. Lunar hopped down from where she’d been foraging on the top of the fridge. She dropped a bit of tinfoil onto the table. You can have my sparkles.

Aiden translated quickly for Mia, who smiled and broke off a bit of the biscuit she’d been eating and held it out. ‘That’s very sweet, Lunar, thank you. But I think we would need a lot more “sparkles” than even you can gather. I think you should keep your treasures.’

OK. She took the treat. But I have friends who could help too.

‘I don’t think there are enough sparkles in Hudsbury for that.’ Aiden chuckled, but ruffled her head feathers – snatching his fingers back as she play-nipped at him. ‘But the sentiment is very much appreciated.’

‘Yes, it is.’ Mia held out her own fingers, and the magpie chortled softly before putting her head down.

Aiden scowled at the bird. ‘You realise I’m the one who feeds you, cleans your things, and carries you around on my shoulder?’

She gives better scritches.

‘Well excuse me, your majesty.’

I shall consider it.

‘What? What did she say?’

Aiden rolled his eyes and translated, making Mia giggle. He shook his head and pulled the pink and white binder over, still amazed at how much lace and glitter could be squashed into one folder, and crossed another venue off the list. It had been a short one to start with, but they were getting worryingly close to the end without so much as a hint of an available location.

‘Please don’t stress about it.’

‘Hard not to.’ He could already feel the tension tightening his shoulders. The town hall wasn’t available, the farm with the converted barn was already booked, and neither of them had liked the pub as a wedding venue. The standing stones monument needed special permissions that were unlikely to be granted at such short notice, and the pretty inn at the edge of town still had for-sale signs hanging beneath the cherry trees and was looking sadder and emptier by the week.

‘It’ll be fine. I promise.’

‘You sound so sure.’

She has every right to be.

‘Do you know something that we don’t, Lunar?’

Just that what is meant to be will always find a way. And you and Mia are heart-feathers.

‘Heart-feathers, huh?’

Meant to be.

‘That’s really sweet, Lunar,’ Mia cooed after Aiden had translated.

It is neither sweet nor not. It just is.

‘She’s right, though. Things usually work out the way they’re meant to. Especially in Hudsbury.’

‘You have a lot more faith in magic than I do.’

‘Even before I knew it was magic behind it, I grew up with those “Hudsbury things” happening. It’ll work out. Even your magical magpie agrees with me. Don’t you, Lunar?’

When you are right, you are right.