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Other things fell into place quickly – half-considered ideas, random thoughts, weird moments that Jamie put down to ‘just another Hudsbury thing’.

Jamie. She looked at him. ‘Did you know?’

He nodded. ‘I wanted to tell you. I tried to – so many times. I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t.’ She looked at Rayenne. ‘You… Aiden… Ophelia… here… you too?’

‘Yes.’

‘And the animals? The bird? I think…’ She couldn’t even finish the thought, let alone the sentence.

Yes, we can speak with you. The answer came from the cat watching from a chair. Now that you’ve chosen to hear us.

‘Amrita.’ Jamie reached for her hand, but she jerked away, splashing the tea over them both.

‘Don’t.’ She didn’t want to hear any more. Couldn’t.

He knew. Obviously. And he’d been distracting her, telling her it was nothing, lying. His pencil case that had mysteriously appeared in her car, bringing her back to him and leading to their first non-date. Had it all been fake? Some elaborate trick to get her into bed? Worse, had he bewitched her? Was everyone in on it?

Her hands shook as she put down what was left of the tea and very carefully got to her feet – as if moving slowly would keep her world, and reality, from shattering.

Jamie caught her in his arms. She shook him away, fear and anger warring to take over.

She didn’t see the hurt in his eyes as she yanked away and stumbled, eyes streaming, out to the street. She probably wouldn’t have cared.

* * *

He tried to follow her, but Rayenne stopped him. ‘She needs time. Space. Let her be.’

‘But…’ He tried to find the words to explain what he was only just starting to understand.

‘Let her have the space she needs. She’s too angry to hear you right now.’

Jamie stared at the door, his heart breaking, shattered under the weight of the guilt he’d been carrying for so long.

11

Amrita stared numbly at her buzzing, glowing phone for a few seconds before turning it over. It had been five days, and she still hadn’t worked out what to say, or do, or think about it all. She’d bought herself some time and space by calling into work sick. She’d started to feel slightly guilty about it the last couple of days as the terrifying pain and weakness she’d felt started to ease, leaving mostly numbness.

Mostly.

But there had been plenty of tears and anger too – heartbreak that Jamie had so callously and viciously lied to her at the same time that their love story had just been starting. He’d tried to reach out, but she’d sent his calls to voicemail and left his flowers to shrivel in their wrapping.

Her phone rang again, annoyingly persistent.

She sighed and answered the call.

‘Amrita, dear, I heard you’re not well.’ Sylvie’s voice was warm – concerned. ‘I’m not wanting to bother you, but I’m at Glimmers. Do you want me to have any of Aiden’s teas or bakes sent over to you? Is there anything you need? Chicken soup? Ginger and liquorice biscuits for upset stomachs?’

Amrita doubted anything Aiden might bake could mend a broken heart. Then again, with magic… She shook the thought away, feeling more nauseous at the thought of it. How many things had she eaten that he’d made and how many were enchanted? What had they done to her?

‘Was there anything you needed, dear?’

‘No. Nothing at all.’ Not ever.

‘Well, do let us know if you change your mind. I know most of your family aren’t that nearby.’

‘Thank you.’ She forced politeness, the habit engrained.