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‘Look, it’s heart-shaped!’

‘So it is.’ He wasn’t surprised. ‘Should I ask?’

‘What?’

‘What you wished for?’

‘Isn’t there a rule about having to keep wishes secret for them to come true?’

‘I think some wishes are more likely to come true if you do share them. And I think this might be one of them.’ The words left his mouth before he’d realised he’d thought them, leaving the fizzy taste of magic buzzing on his tongue.

‘Do you?’

‘I do.’

‘I’m not sure I should tell you.’

‘But you want to, don’t you?’

‘Nope. Definitely not.’

Jamie stared at her for a couple of seconds, trying to figure it out. He didn’t often get flashes of inspiration like this except when he was drawing, but he knew the sensation and feeling of certainty enough to trust it. He smiled when he spotted the tiny shadow of a dimple appear on her cheek – a hint. ‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’

‘Maybe.’ This time the dimple was deeper, like she was losing the battle not to smile. Another hint.

‘Maybe yes?’

‘Maybe a lot yes.’ Her eyes sparkled in the street lamps, and he could almost hear the magic humming in the air around them, stronger than he’d ever known it without paper beneath his fingers.

‘Tell me?’

Her gaze flicked down for a second before meeting his again, like she couldn’t help but look at him. He could understand the magnetic force – it had been catching him since he’d first met her. She shook her head. ‘If I said it out loud, it would become real.’

‘Isn’t that the point?’

‘Not if I’m wrong.’

He didn’t remember either of them moving, but suddenly they were so close that it was hard not to reach out and stroke back the loose bit of hair that was escaping her braid. ‘You’re not wrong.’

‘You don’t know what my wish is.’

‘I think I do. Or a good guess, at least.’

‘Don’t.’ She shook her head, suddenly looking nervous.

He chuckled and stepped back. ‘OK.’

‘Really? You’re OK with that?’

‘Yeah.’ He nodded. ‘I can wait. You’ll tell me when you’re ready. I’m never going to do anything to make you uncomfortable. Whatever this – your wish – is or isn’t, it’s at your pace.’

She nodded and tucked her hands back into her pockets, quiet and thoughtful. After long moments, she smiled again. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’ He grinned and nudged her arm with his. ‘But what for?’

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but…’ She stared at the water for a few seconds. ‘I was a bit nervous about how tonight would go.’

‘You were?’ He had the feeling there was more to this than she was saying.