Page 41 of The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1, The Music Box

“Oh well, actually, he was, apparently. According to his mum, who I met last Christmas because she’s also dead, he used to speak to spirits all the time as a kid, but after she died, he sort of closed that part of himself off and forgot that he could do it.”

“Huh.” I stare at her in interest. “What was the catalyst?”

“The what?”

“The event that triggered his dormant ability?” I ask in fascination.

“Oh, a cocktail.”

“A…cocktail?” I blink. “What the hell was in it?”

“Not the actual cocktail itself, but the ice cube. He accidentally choked and was only technically dead for a minute. Then he was revived by his now super-hot boyfriend Danny, who also happens to be a Scotland Yard detective. Actually, he was the one who was put in charge of my murder investigation. It’s how they met, on the floor of The Crown pub in Hackney. So really, when you think about it, I’m the reason they fell in love.”

“And this all really happened? It sounds like a soap.”

“All true, I swear.”

“I don’t even know how to start unpacking all that.”

“It’s easier if you don’t fight it,” she says sagely. “Just accept it. Anyway.” She blows out a breath. “Where was I? Oh yes, so my murder was solved. Turns out it was the daughter of a man I’d had a brief affair with. He was a stage four clinger with a penchant for drag queens, and she was a stage infinity nut-bag serial killer with severe daddy issues…like Game of Thrones-level daddy issues, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down.”

“I’d rather not touch it at all,” I say dryly, but she continues her monologue as if I hadn’t spoken at all. I’m beginning to wonder if my participation in this conversation is actually even required.

“So murder solved, then Tris helped me resolve my unfinished business, and ta-dah! I crossed into the light.”

“You did?”

She nods. “At first, it was kinda cool. I partied pretty hard. I mean, I don’t want to name-drop or anything, but Freddie was a scream, George really is that good looking, and Hendrix, dude’s so chill. And that was just the tip of the celeb iceberg.”

“Uh-huh,” I say slowly, not really sure how I’m supposed to respond.

“But after a while, I got a bit bored and found I really missed Tristan even though we hadn’t known each other long. Then I found out some stuff that I can’t tell you about, celestial NDA and all that. But let’s just say, I was invited back to Earth to become a spirit guide.”

“Invited?”

“Okay,” she huffs and rolls her eyes. “So, I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’m very personally invested in Tristan’s well-being, and I can be very persuasive when I need to be.”

“I’ll bet.”

“I was just supposed to come back down here, hang out with my little ghost whisperer, be a fabulously attired spiritual sidekick, and help him to help others solve their unfinished business so they can cross into the light.”

“I’m guessing getting wedged into his body wasn’t in the job description.”

Dusty scoffs. “No, that really was an accident, and the suits were pretty miffed about that, lemme tell you. They tried to send me on a corporeal safety and accidental possession awareness course.”

I’m beginning to wonder if I’m actually hallucinating this entire conversation, but Dusty just continues on blithely as if I’m not contemplating my own sanity.

“They were pissed, with a capital P. Now all this weird stuff is going on, and they are being very tight-lipped upstairs.”

“Weird?” I blink. “Weirder than a ghost being sent on a corporeal safety and accidental possession awareness course?”

“Oh, I didn’t stay for that. Yawn.” She waves her hand. “I climbed out of the window as soon as they weren’t looking. No, I mean the storm. It’s not natural. There’s something other behind it. Now Tristan’s laid up with the flu and Danny got squished when a tree fell on his car.”

“What?” I reply in concern, I only met the man for five minutes, but I certainly don’t want anything bad to happen to him. “Is he all right?”

“He’s okay, a broken leg and a host of minor injuries, but it could’ve been a lot worse,” Dusty frowns and bites her lip. “But whatever is going on with this supernatural storm has the suits upstairs sweating. It’s like they know something they’re not telling me.”

“What makes you say that?”