When Theo showed up at the Chalmers family Queen Anne two days later, ready for their overdue book collection ridealong, Effie was deeply ensconced in her cat mom duties. Which, as it turned out, was somewhere she quite liked being. She’d always had a soft spot for cats, but she now properly understood Bowow’s fascination with her furry friends.
Tessa had come by with tiny handmade collars for the kittens, and an etched nametag for the mother cat, whom Effie had called Agatha, due to the mystery she’d generated. She was stroking Agatha, whose neck shone with a gleaming bell and a glittery charm.
‘You have such a talent for crafts,’ said Effie admiringly, watching the soft living-room light play off the charm. ‘How’s the shop-hunting going?’
‘Actually, not badly. Hannah’s been showing me a few places.’
Effie nodded stiffly. She was still coming to terms with the odd way that her and Bonnie’s friendship groups were starting to overlap. In the past few weeks, Effie had spent quite a bit of time with Kirsty, discussing social media strategy. And Alana had been attending the library’s craft nights. But she still wasn’t quite sure how she felt about Tessa hanging out at The Silver Slipper, or Hannah being the one to browse shop locales with her friend.
Between this and Theo talking about a job back in the city, Effie’s whole world was topsy-turvy.
‘Hannah, huh,’ she said, trying to keep her tone neutral.
She failed.
‘Yes, Hannah.’ Tessa frowned, like she wanted to add something, but wasn’t sure how to put it. ‘Actually, I think something’s up with her. She’s been really away with the fairies. Missing appointments, forgetting to text, showing up without the keys. Do you think it’s related to the situation with her dad?’
Effie pondered this. Hannah’s dad had been diagnosed with early onset dementia a few years back. It had been a difficult time leading up to the diagnosis, with Hannah’s mom making up every excuse under the sun to explain it away.
Peter’s just overworked. He’s low on B vitamins. He hasn’t been sleeping well. We all have our little moments.
‘Hannah probably just has too much on her plate,’ said Effie. ‘It’s not easy keeping up with the latest in eyeliner trends.’
Ordinarily, Tessa might have laughed, but today she frowned. ‘They’re not all bad, Effie. Don’t you think we’re past this whole teenage clique thing?’
‘Easy for you to say when you’re the one in the clique,’ she snapped, hating herself even as she said it.
Tessa’s mouth tightened, but she didn’t respond. She was too kind, too good, to let herself go there.
Thankfully the doorbell rang before Effie could double down on her cruelty.
‘Knock knock!’ It was Theo, who’d arrived with a basket filled with cat toys and catnip. ‘For Mom and the littles,’ he explained. ‘The kid at the pet shop gave me a ton of recommendations. I just about maxed out my credit cards.’
This was hyperbole if ever Effie had heard it, but she appreciated the sentiment. And the gifts, for she was quickly realizing that hosting a family of kittens was an involvedendeavour. The kittens were still tiny, but it wouldn’t be long until they were wandering all over and testing the limits of the upholstery fabric or Effie’s makeshift litter box.
‘Hey, Tess,’ said Theo easily. ‘How’s the crafting going? I’m on turtle number four. Shelby’s never been so spoiled.’
‘Look at you go. You’ll have to join me for a class when I open my new studio.’ Tessa’s tone was warm. She wasn’t going to betray Effie for her sharp words. ‘I’m not sure of the when or where yet, but it’s in the works.’
‘Sign me up for a membership, or whatever you have going on.’ Theo knelt down by the fluffy bed that housed Agatha and the tiny kittens. ‘Ready to pry these overdue books out of the hands of the local book hoarders, Effie?’
‘Want to join us, Tessa?’ asked Effie, trying to throw her friend an olive branch. It wasn’t always easy for Effie to pick out when she’d misstepped in a conversation, but it seemed to happen often. Sometimes she wished she had Bonnie’s unique brand of social magic.
Besides, it was the first time she’d seen Theo since his trip to the city, and she was worried that he’d decided to take the job offer after all. Tessa would be a welcome buffer.
Tessa’s face darkened slightly as she shook her head. ‘If you’d texted me earlier, I would’ve said yes. But I’ve signed up for a yoga class at Alana’s studio. Send me photos of the kittens, though. I’ll try to think of some names for them.’
‘Big car,’ observed Theo, as Effie unlocked the Jeep. ‘I thought you’d drive something more like a Vespa.’
To be honest, a Vespa was Effie’s dream vehicle. She’d always had visions of herself cruising around the tiny villages of Sardinia, fresh market produce in a basket on the back, silk scarf fluttering in the breeze. But there was a huge disconnect between the Effie of her dreams and the Effie of reality, with the latter fiendishly aware of the dangers of riding amotorbike. At least in books there was no way to get hurt. Other than emotionally. Unless papercuts counted.
‘It was my mom’s,’ she explained, reaching reflexively for the broomstick that hung from the rear-view mirror as she pulled out of the driveway. ‘She was a larger-than-life character. Like bottled sunshine, which is a cliché, but clichés are clichés for a reason. She could make anyone laugh. And she was an amazing haggler. The best. Everyone at the farmers’ market quaked in their boots when she arrived. We used to get our radishes and cucumbers practically free.’
‘Does that explain theCaution: this vehicle makes frequent stops at yard salesbumper sticker?’ asked Theo.
‘It explains so many things,’ replied Effie. She rubbed the bridge of her nose beneath her glasses. ‘I miss her.’
Theo was quiet next to her. ‘I can’t even imagine what it might be like.’
