“Totally. It’s bonkers to the norms.” She laughs and places her hand on mine.
“Norms?”
“Normal folk.”
Her hands are bejewelled with different silver rings with an array of gemstones set within them. Her bony fingers rest on my hand. Her hands feel soft and warm.
“But you know you don’t feel normal, do you, Harri? Look, I’m aware you’ve recently had a breakup. The forest is incredibly beautiful this time of year. We live just outside of the quiet little village Brindlewood, like I said, where we have all the amenities you need to relax for a while. Even if it’s just for a week or two, why not come with me and just have a holiday? Do something more productive than downing bottles of champagne over a man who can’t even make a bed.”
My face drops again in shock. This woman knows everything. “How did you know I drank—”
She cuts me off again and taps the side of her nose. “I told you, Chattoxes can sense things. Well, I can. Other Chattoxes have different gifts. The offer is there, sweetie, just have a think about it. Now I hope you don’t mind, but it’s been a rather long day. Would you mind showing me where I could sleep for the night?”
I stand there, confused and completely spaced out before Aradia clears her throat to get my attention.
“Sure, follow me,” I say still dazed by what has just happened.
She stands up and smooths out her beautiful dress, so it falls gracefully around her. She picks up both teacups and takes them to the dishwasher before following me out of the kitchen and up the grand oak staircase. It’s nice to see that someone else doesn’t just rely on the “help”. I take her to another guestroom which is made up with navy blue bedding and beautiful china plate inspired wallpaper. She peers inside.
“Beautiful. Your mother always had an eye for the more indulgent decorations.” She turns to me and opens her arms. I instinctively walk into her embrace. The smell of her perfume wraps itself around me with her arms. She squeezes me hard like she doesn’t want to let go. “I’m so glad I finally got to meet you, my beautiful niece,” she whispers in my ear. She lets go and I take a step back.
Her warmth is captivating. I don’t know her but all I want to do is know her. Her face is my mother’s, but kinder, softer, the maternal aura I have craved my whole life.
“You too.” I smile.
She smiles back gently and waves her hand. “Go and get some sleep and we can talk in the morning.”
She walks away from the guestroom towards my parents’ room. She turns to me still smiling. “I best go and check on Cassie first.” I watch as she lightly knocks on the door and lets herself in. I don’t hear any more shouting so that must be a good sign.
I take myself up the stairs to the attic room. I sit on the bed and let myself fall back. What on earth just happened? Did my mysterious aunt who I have never met just tell me that my family on my mother’s side are actually a bunch of witches and the reason I’ve been having dreams and this weird “notbelonging” feeling is because I am a witch? I’m just waiting for Ashton to pop out from the walls and tell me I’m beingPunk’d.Maybe Mother has kept me away from them because they’re a bit kooky and think they’re witches but actually they’re just odd, weird country folk. But a break does sound good. A small village who has never seen me before or even heard of a Montgomery. Some peace and quiet to reassess what I’m actually going to do with my life. Maybe some time to forgive Greg? Although I think that’s cutting it fine.
I’m also intrigued to meet my grandmother. The person who made my mother. Because Aradia seems to be the complete opposite of my mother. I’ve also never had a grandmother. My father’s parents lived in Germany. We met them once then the next time we went to Germany it was for both of their funerals. Both died within a week of each other from old age. I like to believe that when my grandmother passed my grandfather just couldn’t live without her, so surrendered his soul. But that’s just me being a silly romantic. It was more likely he couldn’t fend for himself, and my own father wasn’t going to help him.
I spiral into the what ifs until I finally let sleep take me back to the forest where the crows no longer feel as unsure.
Five
The early morning sun shines through the window waking me from a deep sleep. I stretch my arms and feel a sense of confusion. Did last night really happen or did I drink way more champagne than I thought? I swing my legs over the bed and stand shakily. There’s the hangover. I grab my dressing gown and head down the stairs to the kitchen to brew my coffee and grab a leftover pastry. I head into the garden room to have a moment of peace and clear my head.
I notice Aradia in the garden practising yoga, her floaty dress shimmering in the breeze. She moves with such precision and purpose. The morning sun gleams down on her making each movement look angelic. I’m captivated by her. Her whole being just oozes calmness and warmth. I’m still shocked that she is my mother’s twin. She notices me staring at her and the biggest smile takes over her face. She waves at me enthusiastically making the many bangles on her wrist chime together. She continues to follow her yoga sequence as I stare at her in wonder.
“She always loved being outside,” a small voice says behind me.
My mother has appeared next to me and is now also watchingAradia outside.
“Why did you stop talking?” I ask without looking at her, still captivated by my aunt outside.
She sighs and sits next to me. “It’s complicated. We’re remarkably different and want different things. We’re just vastly different people. I love her, she’s my sister, but I chose you and Daddy and our life we have now.”
“I think I want to go and stay with them,” I blurt out without actually thinking about it.
“I know you do. As soon as she turned up, I knew you’d go. I see a lot of Aradia in you, darling.”
I turn to look at my mother. She looks tired this morning, deflated. “You do?”
“Of course. You’re kind and you think differently. Things that are beautiful qualities but are also easily taken advantage of. All I wanted for you was the best, to keep you safe.”
“I think I need to figure out what I want though, Mother. Plus, despite your reasons, you’ve lied to me for all these years. I have family who want to know me.”
