‘Uh-uh.’ Gigi wagged a glittery finger. ‘That wish doesn’t count. Only I decide what’s official. And there’s a difference between a formal wish, which requires you to play the game, and me being given free rein to … help.’
‘You mean meddle,’ retorted Beth. ‘Surely there are strict rules in the genie world?’
Gigi looked heavenwards as if searching for patience in the rafters. ‘Rules are for fools, sugarplum. And your life isn’t boring. You’re standing on the edge of something marvellous. You just don’t believe in it yet.’
Beth groaned. ‘I’d rather believe in an early night.’
‘Then go. Sleep tight, dream loud. Magic never rests.’
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
‘Shouldn’t you check that?’ Gigi asked. ‘You humans live for your little glowing rectangles. It could be something life-altering. Or it could be a pizza ad. Fifty-fifty.’
‘I’ll check later,’ she muttered. ‘Goodnight, Gigi.’
‘Nighty-night, doll face,’ he called, fading into a swirl of violet mist.
By the time Beth went back upstairs, the pub was vibrating with laughter and cheers.
‘We won!’ Jinnie shouted from across the room. ‘Only by two points! Janette’s team got the ABBA andDallasquestions wrong!’
‘Congratulations,’ Beth said, managing a smile. ‘I’ll just check on Rose and?—’
‘No need,’ said Angela, gently touching her arm. ‘All under control. Go get some sleep.’
Wilma sidled up to Beth, tapping the side of her nose. ‘Your aura’s interesting, pet. No’ as dark as Kieran’s. More playful. Like a wee rainbow, with a bag of gold under it.’
Beth nodded, unsure what that meant. The noise, the warmth, the weight of everything drained her energy. She slipped away, her feet heavy on the stairs.
In her room, she kicked off her shoes and pulled out her phone.
One message. From Luke.
Beth. We need to talk. Sorry it’s been so long. Sorry for so many things.
I think of you all the time, but life has a funny way of turning things upside down.
Call me.
Luke x
Beth stared at the screen until the words blurred.
Somewhere deep in the pub below, the pinball machine gave a faint, satisfiedding.
Chapter Twenty
‘Well, that was all a bit weird, Prom.’
Prom, perched on the windowsill, yawned, stretched, and began washing his paw with exaggerated indifference. His earlier contribution to the day – depositing a dead bird on the rug – had clearly met his definition of a productive shift.
‘Yeah, thanks for your input,’ Kieran said drily. ‘Something’s definitely off about this village. It gives off the whole sleepy rural chocolate-box vibe, but there’s … something bubbling underneath. And it’s all connected to Beth. She’s the key.’
Kieran rambled on for a few more minutes, trying to piece together the events of the quiz night. The mischievous laughter. The unmistakable sound of bagpipes.
Prom turned, arched his back, and padded out of the room, tail flicking like a punctuation mark of disdain.
‘I’m going to trade you in for a gerbil,’ Kieran called after him. ‘You ungrateful, bird-murdering layabout.’
