‘You know, I’ve even got your first piece of content – the sign-up we just did.’
Effie swallowed. ‘You were filming that?’
‘Of course. And you wereamazing. Who knew that libraries were free? And that you could borrow telescopes? I’ll cut it together and send it to you later tonight.’
Effie wasn’t quite sure what to make of this interaction. Kirsty was being affable. Helpful.Kind, even. There must be something in the town’s water, because this was thoroughly unusual. Kirsty was barely even nice to Bonnie, let alone Effie.
Maybe it was the moderating force of Bobby at play. Although the fact that the two were apparently dating was baffling to Effie. Effie might not be especially well versed in all things romantic, but she’d always thought that Bobby had a soft spot for Bonnie.
But she supposed that even someone as sweet and doting as Bobby would only wait in the wings so long before he gave up.
Bowow came up, a selection of pastries balanced artfully in her palm. ‘I’m out, Effie. But you’d better hear me on those cowboys, because these babies,’ she tapped her bag, ‘are the last three in the library I haven’t read. What are my dogs going to do if Mama can’t read to them?’
‘Duly noted,’ said Effie. She waved as the other Friends took their leave.
Kirsty blew Effie a kiss before sidling out after them, telescope case slung over her shoulder. ‘I’ll text you that video when it’s ready to upload.’
‘I really appreciate it.’ And she really did. ‘Thanks for the pastries, too,’ she added, as Bobby followed Kirsty.
‘Any time,’ said Bobby, with his usual cheerful grin. He gave her a hearty wave, then followed Kirsty down the front steps.
According to Effie’s math, which was exceptional, and the hair prickling on the back of her neck, only Theo remained.
Well, and the ghost, but she didn’t want to think about that right now.
Theo’s green eyes regarded her thoughtfully as together they tidied up after the meeting.
‘So,’ he said. ‘Any plans for tonight?’
Effie shook her head. ‘Just the usual. A hot date with my book, a pot of tea and my own uninterrupted thoughts. I’ve been dreaming about it all day, honestly. There’s a point where I get peopled out. I don’t know how Bonnie does it.’
She paused, wondering how her sister was doing. Things had been slightlyoffrecently. She’d barely seen Bonnie since their fight, and the times that she’d spied her in their kitchen, she’d seemed exhausted. Effie suspected her sister was sleeping at The Silver Slipper, even though the apartment above was barely habitable, even by Bonnie’s standards.
‘Have you been by the bar since the other night?’ she blurted, not even sure why she was asking. Orwhatshe was asking.
‘I haven’t,’ he said, his tone sounding oddly like an invitation. ‘But I could.’
Outside, a gust of wind picked up, rattling the stained-glass windows and causing the whole library to let out a creaking sigh. Upstairs, somewhere in the upper reading room, Effie heard a distinct thud, followed by the most horrific hacking sound she’d ever heard. She swallowed. The ghost was back.
‘So, are we going, or not?’ clarified Theo.
Effie blinked. What was he talking about? ‘Going where?’
Theo cocked his head, looking at her the way her sportsteacher had during Effie’s first game of dodgeball. Like she was an alien. He opened his mouth, about to say something, then shut it again. His tone, when he finally spoke, was bemused, but gentle. ‘You, Effie Chalmers, are harder to read than James Joyce. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
With a wave, he headed out the front door, giving each of the stone gargoyles a pat, then clattered down the front steps into the night. Effie, meanwhile, headed upstairs, wishing that perhaps she’d asked Theo to stay. For ghost-busting purposes, of course.
Chapter 18
ALWAYS PRACTISE SAFE HEX
Bonnie
Without Bobby around to help, Bonnie’s opening prep had been taking longer and longer. She was spending hours concocting her batches of Memory Lane, but perfection remained elusive. And so-so magic wasn’t something she particularly wanted to embrace. Not only that, but the bar was growing in popularity. The familiar faces were bringing new faces along with them, and she’d had a slew of great reviews.
Want to forget your troubles? This is the place!was her personal favourite. She’d chalked it on a sandwich-board sign and popped it out the front.
Bonnie was resting against the bar for a moment, flexing her aching feet after running about with pitchers of Memory Lane and stepping in multiple times to remind a group of energetic college kids that while she didn’t mind them ordering in pizza from the shop from across the square, they weren’t allowed to plug in their own toaster oven and do the honours here, when a warm, familiar voice broke into her thoughts.
