Page 17 of Tall, Dark and Haunted

Where are we? Good question. I exchange glances with my mates, unsure how to answer. I can hardly tell him the truth, that he’s in a town full of supes. What’s more… I don’t even know the Welsh word for supe. Bloody hell.

Topher steps forward, his most polite expression on his face, and begins to explain that it’s all part of the Margam Castle ghost tour. At least, that’s what I think he’s saying, since I only catch part of the Welsh. And he sounds so sure, so authoritative on the subject, that I almost believe him myself.

“Taith ysbryd?” The first man scratches his head. “Nid wyf yn cofio cofrestru ar gyfer taith ysbryd.”

I don’t need to know Welsh to know that the man doesn’t remember signing up for a ghost tour. But the town is warded, and the magic is pretty convincing. So the men thank us, nod like it all makes complete sense, and walk back out of the cafe.

“So, what can I get you guys?” Amber—who’s shifted into me again—asks. “We’re famous for our pumpkin spice lattes. How about one of those?”

“No pumpkin,” Topher says. The disgust on his face is almost comical.

“Childhood trauma,” Davy adds at Amber’s hurt expression.

“We probably should be rationing it, anyway.” She sighs. “The castle landed on our shipment. It’s a good thing we have insurance.”

The guys and I nod in agreement.

“I’d like a coffee,” Topher finally says.

“How do you take it?”

“There are different ways?” he asks, rubbing the back of his head.

Amber spends a few minutes explaining coffee, and they settle on black with cream and sugar on the side.

“How about the two of you?” Amber asks as the bell above the cafe door jingles.

“I’m not sure,” Davy says.

“When in doubt, get hot chocolate,” the redhead says from the doorway.

“I’m sorry about your bakery,” Amber tells her.

“Thanks, Bean,” the redhead replies. “Love the hair, by the way.”

Since Amber’s still shifted into me, and it’s my hair, I start to smile.

“I told you not to call me Bean.” Amber shoots the redhead a glare and hands her a paper espresso cup. “Water?”

She rolls her eyes. “Thanks, Amber.”

“You’re welcome, Mini.”

Then the two of them burst out laughing.

They are so weird! Though definitely not as weird as literally everything else that has happened today.

Mini takes a seat at the counter and a tiny white mouse scurries off her shoulder. She gives it the shot glass of water and it starts lapping at it.

“Awwwww,” Red says.

“On the house,” Amber adds, handing Mini the unicorn hot chocolate she made earlier.

“Do you know how many calories are in this thing?” the redhead demands. She looks like she’s about to start hyperventilating as she pulls out a stick of gum from her pocket and starts violently chewing.

“Don’t worry about calories,” I tell her. “Life is short. You never know when you’ll end up naked in a fountain.” I realize I just said it aloud and mutter, “Or, you know, get hit by a bus.”

“I read that article too,” Amber says.