“Well, there you go then.”
He turns to me and smiles. “You give off witchy vibes.” He walks a little closer.
“I do?” I laugh nervously, his eyes staring at mine.
“Yeah, the dark hair, your eyes and how they are just mesmerising.” He bites his lip making my core flutter.
I blush. “Then I’ll be more than fine in the forest, won’t I?”
He smiles playfully. “You will indeed, Harri.”
We lock gazes for a moment before the milk frother overflows.
“Shit!” Sam quickly saves the milk and cleans up the spillage. He fills two cups with coffee and the extremely hot milk. He places two Belgian buns into a box and hands them over.
“On the house.” He starts to wipe the counter.
I place the money on the counter. “No, don’t be silly. I’ll pay.”
He pushes it back into my hand where our fingertips touch lightly. “No, it’s fine. I owe you.”
“What for?”
“For having to come and listen to me sing tomorrow night. That’s if you’re still coming?” He eagerly awaits my response. “If not, that’s two hundred pounds please.”
“Two hundred pounds for two lattes and two Belgian buns? The country is pricey! But fine, I’ll pay.” He looks at me puzzled. “It’s a joke, Sam. I’m looking forward to it.”
His face softens. “Cool. I’ll, erm… here’s my number.” He hands me his phone. “If you can give me yours I can let you know when we’re on the way to pick you up.”
“Smooth,” I tease. “But you don’t have to pick me up. I can meet you all at the village.”
“No, it’ll be dark. We will come to you.”
“OK.” I place his number into my phone then call him briefly, so he has mine.
“See you tomorrow then.”
“See ya, Sam.” I wave.
I wrap my scarf around my neck and grab the drinks and box of buns.
“Be careful of witches!” he calls after me making me giggle. If only he knew.
Aradia is in the car waiting as I leave the cafe. I slide in next to her and hand her the latte. Her face has the same pink blush as my own. We look at each other and laugh.
“What are we like?” She chortles. “Come on, before it gets dark, we best get going.”
I smile. Then the warm feeling drains from my body. I can’t fall for Sam. It would just end in tears especially after the phone call with Mrs Belfour. I don’t want to drag anyone else into this mix. But this feeling in the pit of my stomach is burning. I’ve already fallen, haven’t I?
Ten
“Harri, darling, we’re heading off now!”
My granny’s voice pulls me from the dream I was having. A dream about Sam and Greg and everything going wrong. A nightmare more like. I hear her shout again.
“Harri, we’re leaving now!”
I ease my eyes open and croak out a sleepily reply. “I’m coming down now!”
