‘It was the green fairy that gave it away,’ he said with a shrug. ‘Now are you going to try that cocktail, or just admire how pretty it is? I promise you’ll like it.’
Mia hesitated. It wasn’t something she’d ever particularly wanted to drink before, but she had to admit she was curious, so she took a little sip. It was sweeter than she expected, but she sipped again, finding that the flavour was as unusual as it was delicious.
‘So? What do you think?’
‘I think,’ she said, setting the glass down, ‘that it’s one of the nicest cocktails I’ve ever tried.’
‘You seriously didn’t know what this bottle was?’ he asked.
Mia sighed, feeling stupid that she herself hadn’t recognised the drink the bottle had once held, and that a stranger had figured it out so quickly. ‘I seriously didn’t know. But thank you, you’ve actually solved the mystery I’ve been mulling over for years.’ Who knew that all she’d needed to do was sit in a bar and the answer would be given to her? ‘It was left behind by my great-aunt, who passed away some time ago, and I’m trying to piece together all the clues to her past.’ She sighed. ‘And as exciting as it is to know what it means, it still feels very much like a dead end.’
‘Well, I’d say she must have had a very interesting past if it was linked to the production of absinthe,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘It wouldn’t have been for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.’
Someone approached the bar at the other end and the bartender leaned in one last time, his grin contagious.
‘The drink’s on the house, even though you liked it. But let me know if you have any more questions once I’m finished serving. I’m curious about your little mystery.’
Mia nodded and took another sip as he walked away, knowing that her cheeks would be bright pink from the attention, given the heat in them. She had plenty of questions for him, but she also had every intention of doing a little research herself first, so she didn’t appear quite so foolish. Of course she’d heard of absinthe before, but she hadn’t known that it was linked to a green fairy.
Mia was pulled from her thoughts when she felt a warm hand at her back.
‘You look like a woman trying to solve a mystery.’
She turned and laughed, throwing her arms around the beautiful brunette standing behind her.
‘Charlotte!’ She hugged her, forgetting all about her research the moment she saw her. ‘It’s so good to see you.’
‘There’s only so long I can spend with my brother and boyfriend watching football,’ Charlotte said with a groan. ‘Your invite gave me a reason to escape. I’m craving some feminine energy.’
Mia couldn’t help but notice how good Charlotte looked. The last time she’d seen her had been when she’d given her the little wooden box that had been left behind for her grandmother, in the middle of a busy restaurant shift, although they’d stayed in touch ever since. But there was something different about her now—her eyes were even brighter, her smile wider.
‘How’s Norway treating you?’ Mia asked.
‘It’s great. I’m so happy there,’ Charlotte said, settling beside her. ‘But it’s also nice to be back in London for a bit. It’s like being torn between two homes, and I can’t decide which I like more.’
Mia closed the diary and went to put the bottle in her bag, but Charlotte reached past her. ‘This is one of your clues?’ she asked. ‘That Hope left behind?’
‘It is. An old bottle of absinthe, according to one very attentive bartender.’
Charlotte turned and then looked back at her. ‘Hmm, so he’s gorgeousanduseful.’
They both laughed, but were immediately interrupted by another woman wrapping her arms around Mia from behind, her smile as warm and welcoming as Charlotte’s had been.
‘Georgia!’ Mia stood and hugged her properly.
‘We’re just missing Ella,’ Georgia said with a sigh. ‘This would have been a proper reunion if she was here, especially given she was the one who kept pushing you to solve your own mystery.’
Mia turned and gestured to Charlotte. ‘Georgia, this is Charlotte. Charlotte, Georgia. And the Ella we’re talking about is another of the great-granddaughters I’ve met along the way.’
‘Ella, who’s currently loved-up and holidaying in Greece,’ Georgia said, before opening her arms and greeting Charlotte warmly with a hug. ‘She would have loved to meet you.’
‘It’s like we’re already old friends, given the journeys we’ve all been on,’ Georgia said, glancing from Mia to Charlotte. ‘If we can just help Mia solve her clues, it will feel like we’ve come full circle.’
‘Let’s get a table,’ Charlotte said. ‘And drinks. Georgia, do you want what she’s having, or something different?’
‘Just so you know, this one has a hint of absinthe in it.’
Georgia raised her eyebrows when Mia held up her green drink. ‘Ah, I think I’ll go for something more mainstream. Maybe a margarita?’
