Page 128 of A Ghost’s Guide to Haunting a Witch

“That’s a dangerous pastime,” Celestine muttered. “With your brain.”

“Hey,” Augustine returned, nudging her older sister. “Isn’t that fancy university of yours back in term yet?”

“My department isn’t back for another week,” Celestine shot back, sticking her tongue out.

Maddy leaned in. “You’ve been thinking about Theo today, haven’t you?”

Augustine’s hand stilled, but just for a fraction. Then she kept pouring. “I don’t think about Theo,” she said lightly.

Maddy gave her a look. “You literally use his favourite scent as your bestselling candle.”

“That’s a coincidence,” Augustine replied.

“It smells exactly like him.”

“Cinnamon is a common scent, Madeline.”

Celestine coughed, very deliberately not disguising the word “liar”.

Augustine shot her a look, but didn’t argue further, because, well, there wasn’t much point. She did think about him, and more than she let herself admit. Still, she never looked him up, or asked questions she didn’t want real answers to. Theo had promised her that if he ever remembered her, he would come back. So far, he hadn’t.

So, Augustine made herself accept the only explanation that didn’t require hope: he’d forgotten her.

Maddy had tried, once or twice — subtle at first, then less so — to badger her into looking him up, but Augustine shut it down every time.

“Just a quick Google search,” Maddy had begged. “Please. Let’s at least find out if he woke up?”

“Don’t,” Augustine had replied. “Please.”

Maddy’s expression had softened slightly. “You don’t even want to know if he’s okay?”

Augustine had hesitated, before she shook her head. “I’m sure he’s fine. Besides, it’s for the best that I don’t know.”

Looking him up wouldn’t change anything anyway.

Press play. Don’t live on pause, she had to remind herself. This way, we can both move on.

It was almost true. Almost. Sometimes, Augustine missed Theo so much it physically hurt her. Still, it was easier to imagine Theo awake and alive than to picture him in that bed, lifeless and covered in wires. It was easier to imagine him moving on from that awfulness and living a full and happy life. Even if it was a happy life without her.

Now, Maddy only sighed. “Fine,” she said. “But you’re still coming tonight. I have your cat ears in my bag.”

“I’m not going.”

“You are.”

“I’m really not.”

Celestine finally looked up from her chart. “You are,” she said calmly. “I’ve already factored it into the evening.”

Augustine spluttered. “You can’t factor me into your star charts.”

Celestine raised an eyebrow. “Watch me. There’s strong Mars energy tonight. It’s going to be a good night. If you don’t believe me, check in with your cards.”

“I’m not checking in with my cards about whether or not to down vodka shots with the two of you at a Halloween party!” But it was too late. Maddy was already grinning, glowing cat ears in her hand.

“Good,” her younger sister announced, plopping them onto Augustine’s head. “That’s settled then. Mars says yes. The stars are aligned. I’m going as an angel again, by the way.”

“Why, hoping to see your devil man again?” Augustine teased, shooting Maddy daggers, but surprisingly, Maddy blushed.