Beth barely smiled.
‘We thought it was over,’ Sam said, twisting the stem of his glass between his fingers. ‘When they left.’
‘But now Gigi’s here,’ Beth said. ‘And you think he’ll leave too.’
Sam met her eyes. ‘We don’t know. But … there are signs.’
‘Like what?’ Beth demanded.
Wilma shrugged. ‘My teapot vibrated.’
‘I dreamt Cranley got swallowed by a glittery black hole,’ said Jo.
Beth stared. ‘That’s it?’
Sam spread his hands helplessly. ‘It’s never clear-cut.’
Something inside Beth cracked. ‘I don’t want him to go,’ she whispered. ‘He’s mine.’ The thought surprised her with its ferocity.
A low croon brushed her mind. A familiar Sinatra song about the end being near.
‘Did you make a wish?’ Jo asked gently.
Beth nodded. ‘I asked for a sign that life can be good.’
‘And?’
‘I saw the most beautiful butterfly.’
Wilma snorted. ‘Gus saw one too. Thought it was a moth escaping his wallet.’
‘Gran!’ Jinnie hissed.
‘Did you make another wish?’ Jo asked.
Beth’s hands began to shake. ‘I think so. I asked for courage. But I don’t feel very brave right now.’
Images flooded her mind. Leaving Bilberry Cottage, arriving in Cranley, panicking about the job, reacting badly to babies. Luke, the pinball machine, Gigi … and Kieran.
Wilma’s eyes narrowed. ‘Ah.’
‘What?’ Beth said sharply.
‘You’re in love, lass.’
‘No, I’m not.’
Wilma tutted. ‘Your aura’s glowing golden and brighter than a bonfire on Guy Fawkes Night.’
Love burns inside you. Never extinguish the flame.
Beth tried to stand, but her legs gave way. Jo caught her as she folded, arms firm and steady.
‘He knew,’ Beth sobbed. ‘Gigi knew all along.’
‘Of course he did,’ Wilma said softly, patting her back. ‘Genies have a habit of seeing straight through us.’
Sam cleared his throat. ‘Right, who needs another drink?’
