The air is warm for a November morning, the sun rising as high as it can into the sky. My tummy is still alive with a million butterflies flapping their wings inside me. The feel of my heart beating out of my chest. Just wanting to turn around and kiss him more. I can’t believe he is mine. I can’t believe that this place is home. That these people are family and friends.
I carry on down the lane past the houses into the country, looking over the fields at the hares jumping about through the tall grass. The morning mist clings to the fields, silvering the hedgerows as I walk the narrow lane back to Granny’s cottage. My boots thud softly on the damp earth, each step steadier than the last. After the night with Sam, his warmth, his safety, things finally feel like they are aligning. But of course the universe always has another plan.
The low growl of a car engine shatters the calm. Ablack Range Rover creeps around the bend, too smooth, too deliberate, making me freeze on the spot. I know who this is.
My magic stirs slightly at my fingers as the car pulls up alongside me.
The rear window slides down.
Mrs Belfour turns to face me, pushing her sunglasses down her nose, her eyes meeting mine with such anger. “Harri, darling.” Her voice is soft like velvet stretched over something sharp. “Hop in. We need to talk.”
I stand still, staring at her, unable to make a single movement.
Mrs Belfour sighs with annoyance. “I tried being patient. But I think it is time for honesty, don’t you think, sweetie?” A dark smirk paints across her face. “I know about Sam.” She pinches a piece of lint off her shoulder and flicks it with her long red perfect fingernail. She then meets my eyes again, this time with a sense of amusement. “And more importantly, I know about his little sister. What is her name again? Lola?”
My stomach drops. How could she? There has to be someone in Brindlewood who is not who they say they are. And why tell the Belfours? I blink. A mixture of anger and upset floats through my stomach making me gag.
“She is what, five? Maybe six?” She carries on, feigning casualness. “Sweet girl. Would be a real shame if someone found out she had witch blood. Someone like… the wrong kind of people.”
She leans back, lifting her glasses back to her soulless eyes.
“You have a choice, Harri. Come back to London. Marry Greg. Keep your little world safe. Or stay here and watch it burn.”
The door clicks open before I can think to run. I think about using my magic to flip the car and crush any breath she has left in her retched body. But it wouldn’t fix it. I’d end up in prison.My DNA is something I can’t magic away, and my family would be at risk without me.
Mrs Belfour sits quietly before sliding over into the other seat to allow room for me. A shadow in a pristine cream coat, not a hair out of place. Her hands are folded neatly in her lap as if she is just out on a casual Sunday drive.
I still stand there, my heart beating in my throat.
“Get in, Harriet.” Her voice is crisp, like a bone snapping in winter.
I get in and sit like a statue in the seat next to her.
I pull the door closed, sealing me in with the scent of expensive leather and lavender perfume.
Mrs Belfour doesn’t look at me, instead she gets her phone out and begins messaging someone furiously.
“Your little detour has caused quite a bit of inconvenience.” She sighs, smoothing an invisible crease from her skirt. “But Greg is willing to forgive. Generous, given the company you have been keeping.”
My jaw clenches as I utter my words. “You think me marrying Greg will be this bullshit happy ending?”
Mrs Belfour finally turns to me, her face like stone. “No, dear. Marrying Greg will keep things from getting worse. For your family. For that peculiar boy. And most importantly, for the child. This is just business, Harriet. You know that. It’s where you have come from. Your father is a fantastic businessperson. This is an opportunity for you to follow suit. This does not have to be all doom and gloom.” She pulls out her compact from her purse and pats her nose in the mirror with the pad. “We’re not evil, we just want what is best for our family. This has been going on for generations. We are offering you a life of wealth and comfort. You should not be so ungrateful.” She places the compact back in the purse.
I swallow hard, trying to cool my magic from becomingunmanageable. I calm myself, leaning my forehead against the cool glass of the window and breathing slowly.
“Oh, how could I forget…” She picks up an expensive-looking boutique bag from the side of her and passes it to me, drawing my attention back to inside the car. “I had Mindy, my PA, pick this up for you.” She looks me up and down. “Although someone has been indulging a little too much I see.”
She smirks a sly smile in my direction. “Luckily, I figured that would be the case and asked Mindy to pick you up some Spanx. You have got to look your best tonight, darling.”
“What?” My face pulls into a defensive posture.
“The Winter Wonderland Ball. Oh, Harriet, you didn’t forget, did you? It is an excellent job I turned up when I did. It will be the perfect event to show you and Gregory stronger than ever. We can even announce the wedding date.”
“We never set a date.” I finger through the bag. Sure enough inside is a black cocktail dress, a diamond choker, heels and the most figure-hugging Spanx I have ever seen. If I don’t die of living with the Belfours, these Spanx will be the death of me.
I am busy looking in the bag when Mrs Belfour speaks up again. “But you did, darling. Well, we did. I think you lost any say in the wedding plans when you disappeared.”
“I did not disappear. I left. Your son cheated on me and I left.” I roll my eyes at how stupid she is.
