“Oh my god.” Antonia’s hand flew to her mouth.
“You remember? I thought someone kept breaking in. I called the police, but there was never anyone there. And then one night, I fell asleep in the shop and woke up… and the characters were there.”
“So you told Julia this story and now she believes it?”
“It’s not a story. She’s seen them too—for a few nights now. I know it sounds absolutely mad, but I promise you, it’s true.”
“This is some sort of fantasy taken too far, Aurelia. Why you dragged Julia into it, I don’t know—”
“No! I didn’t tell her. I didn’t even know she’d be able to see them. She just heard us talking and came down one night.”
“She heard you talking? To the characters?” Antonia said with a humorless laugh.
“Aunt Marigold and the other aunts saw them too,” Julia’s voice called from the guest room doorway.
Aurelia and Antonia turned to her, surprised by her sudden appearance in their tense standoff. Julia walked toward them but kept her distance.
“I’ve met Sergeant Cuff, and he said he’s met all the aunts, and he told me stories about them.”
“Who’s Sergeant Cuff?”
“He’s the detective fromThe Moonstone,” Aurelia said automatically.
“The what?”
“The Moonstone. It’s a Wilkie Collins novel. One of the first detective novels, actually—sorry.” Aurelia saw Antonia’s look of exasperation and cut herself off.
“Alright,” Antonia said, feigning calmness. “I don’t know what’s happening here, but I’m very concerned. Where’s Oliver?”
“He’s still away. He had that book fair, then a work retreat. He’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Julia, go and pack your things. We’ll find a hotel for the night.”
“A hotel? Antonia!” Aurelia said, exasperated herself now.
“I don’t want her here with you tonight.”
“What? I—I’d never do anything to hurt Julia! Please—”
“Thisishurting her, Aurelia. Look at how upset she is! She’s completely convinced herself of whatever you’ve been telling her. This is beyond weird. It’s… it’s deranged.”
“I’m convinced because I’ve seen them, Mum. And I’m not going to a hotel! I’m staying here, and I’m going to talk to them again tonight.”
“Do you see?” Antonia exclaimed angrily, turning to Aurelia. “Listen to her!”
“I know how it sounds, but it’s very real.” Aurelia’s voice was pleading, begging Antonia to believe her. “There’s something about this shop, about whoever owns it—or whoever is going to own it. I don’t know how, or why, but it’s real.”
“SoIcan’t see them? You realize that’s very convenient.”
“That’s just how it works. Though I’m not sure if some random person could buy the shop and see them, or if it has to be someone in the family. I haven’t asked Cuff about that, but I should—”
“Why did I try to engage?” Antonia muttered to herself.
“There’s still a lot I’m trying to figure out about this whole thing myself,” Aurelia retorted.
“Why are you doing this? Why won’t you stop?”
This time, it was Antonia who looked at Aurelia with fear in her eyes.
