A grin spreads over my face, as I hang up on Alex Higgins. The owners accepted my offer. I haven’t even been at work for an hour. I’m a bit surprised as the offer was so low, but it just means I don’t need to scrimp on repair work. I can hire someone outright to get it all done. I call a recommended surveyor, who agrees to come out tomorrow to look over the house and lands. Next I contact my solicitor to get the paperwork started.
****
A feeling of excitement and the Earth settling comes over me. It is as if things are coming back to their rightful position in life.
“Are you listening to me?” demands a little old lady, with bright blue hair, and a rather ferocious scowl on her wrinkled face. “I demand you pay attention to me this minute!” she screeches, at decibels the deaf can hear.
“I can hear you, but sadly…” Huh, how to put it politely, so the little old dragon won’t explode from anger?
“My attention was on another matter at the time. But you now most definitely have my attention, and everyone else’s as well,” I reply with utter politeness, seriously, I have done myself proud. Or not, going from the look of furious irritation on the lady’s face.
“Why, you insufferable child, I ought to teach you some manners, you and your beast. Now, get out of this shop at once. I know the owner, and she won’t permit the likes of you in here,” cackles the old lady, pointing a bony finger imperiously at the door.
Politeness forgotten, I stand up to my full height of five foot nine, so I nicely tower over the little hag in front of me.
“Do not, under any circumstances, threaten me or mine again, old woman,” I growl, my green eyes narrowing, and sparks flitting off my fingertips.
“As for knowing the owner, you are not the only one who does. Obviously I know her, since I’m working in her shop, and she’s my grandmother. Now, behave yourself or leave this place, but never presume to speak to me or treat my dog with anything other than politeness again. You may not like us, but tough shit on your behalf. Now, is there anything I can help you with, or are you ready to leave yet?” I demand in a controlled voice.
Hearing gasps of surprise, I look at the other customers, most of whom seem more shocked at seeing me standing up to the old lady, than at sparks shooting from my fingers. That’s the way of things when surrounded by witches!
“I hadn’t realized you were a witch, or that you were Eve’s granddaughter. With you having a dog, how am I supposed to know?” the little old lady answers huffily.
As if that explained things. She did look nervously at my fingers, probably terrified the sparks would strike her.
“Ah well, that’s okay, I mean, obviously it’s okay to speak to anyone else with complete lack of respect, just because they’re not witches,” I reply with a major amount of frustrated sarcasm. What the hell was wrong with people?
“Well, I need help with a spell,” whispers the little old lady as she looks shiftily around to see who’s listening.
“What kind of spell?” I demand, knowing I’m not going to like the answer, by her attitude.
“Well, it’s, hmmm, I’ve been wronged, and I want someone punished,” answers the lady with a quiver in her voice.
“You want a revenge spell. Sorry, I don’t help people with them.”
“You mean you can’t,” sniffs the old lady with disdain in her voice.
“I mean exactly what I said. I DON’T HELP PEOPLE WITH REVENGE SPELLS,” I state loudly and clearly, in case the nasty old cow can’t understand me.
“Well, how rude,” gasps the woman, as her jaw drops in shock.
“I’ll be sure to pass on a message to Eve you were in, if you give me your name.”
“Eve? Oh no, that’s okay, no need to. I’ll…I’ll speak to her myself, at some point when I have time,” she replies, quickly scampering away, as she looks around as if expecting Eve to suddenly pop up out of nowhere.
“Hello, can I help you?” I inquire of the nearest gaping-mouthed customer.
“What? Ah yes, I would just like to get this crystal please,” answers a surprised-looking customer. “You’re very brave, standing up to Ms. Hayes. She scares me and most people actually.”
Smiling gently at the petite woman in front of me, I take her crystal from her and wrap it up in tissue paper.
“That’s €5, then please. Most people don’t scare me,” I admit, handing back the crystal and taking the money.
“Oh, you are lucky. Most people scare me. I’m Beatrix, Beatrix Sullivan. Ms. Hayes is my neighbor sadly.” Beatrix sighs in resignation.
“Nice to meet you, Beatrix. I’m Candi Reynolds.” “Reynolds? Oh, I presumed you would have your grandmother’s surname. Well, I had better go. Nice to meet you, Candi.” With a little wave, Beatrix leaves.
A man approaches me next, with a swagger in his step.
“Hi, Candi was it?” he asks leering at me, as if I’m an item to be procured. “How about I pick you up at seven p.m. for dinner and drinks, maybe dancing if you’re lucky,” he states as if it is a foregone conclusion.
“No, thank you. Now what can I help you with?”
“What? What do you mean no? No one says no to me. Do you know who I am?”
“No. Why, is it important?”
“My name is George Seabast the Fourth,” he pompously replies, taking hold of his jacket lapels and standing straighter with his head slightly to the side, as if to enhance his magnificence.
“Oh, okay. Well, my answer is still no. Now are you buying or leaving?”
I feel totally perplexed at his weird stance. Seriously, I am trying to be polite. But what is with these people? Or is it me? Am I so different from everyone else?
“What? Did you say no to me? Well, I never!” a very shocked George Seabast the Fourth explodes before flouncing out of the shop.
Shaking my head in exasperation at the idiotic man, I know there is no way I’m working in Grandma Eve’s shop again. I just can’t deal with people. Glancing down at Jasmine, I notice her huffing and snorting gently at me.
“It’s not funny, so stop laughing,” I scold in exasperation.
The remaining customers carry on with their shopping and have the sense not to ask me for revenge spells or anything personal.
And thankfully the rest of the morning flies by uneventfully. Looking at the time, I finish up, closing the shop for lunch. I’m meeting Grandma Eve in The Olive Tree Café. I’ll also tell her I’m not working in the shop anymore. Anyway, she doesn’t need me; she has enough staff already, thankfully.
****
Quickly walking around the shop, to make sure no one is left inside, I close and lock the front door then put away my till, set the alarm, and leave. Giving Jasmine’s head a quick scratch, we cross the road heading toward The Olive Tree Café. Noticing The Witch’s Brew bar, I stifle a groan. I could really do with a drink right about now.
Entering the café, I spot Grandma Eve. Leaving Jasmine, I head inside, order lunch, and a bowl of water and head back outside.
“Hey, Grandma. Look, I am ever so sorry, but I can’t work at the shop anymore. Seriously, I think some of your customers are stark raving mad,” I state with obvious frustration. With a laugh, Eve pats my hand. “Yes, I have heard of what happened with Evelyn, Hayes and George Seabast the Fourth. Though apparently, you handled yourself with finesse. But you never did enjoy working in the shop. What will you do instead? I can ask about to find you a job if you like?”
“I have a job already. I’m a freelance photographer.”
“Well yes, but it’s not a full-time job. How will you survive financially?” Eve asks, with worry lacing her voice.
“Grandma, my photos sell, and they bring in the money. There’s no need to worry about me,” I answer with a smile. “Anyway, I forgot to tell you my news; I’m buying the old Winters’ house.” The sudden sound of dishes crashing interrupts our conversation. Quickly standing, I help the waitress collect ruined food and coffee.
“I’m so sorry,” gasps the shaking waitress. “That’s okay.”
“I’ll be right back with your lunches, I’m sorry.”
Watching the waitress scamper back inside, I turn and give Eve an exasperated look.
“So much for keeping buying the house a secret,” I state with exasperation.
“It’ll be old news anyway in another hour. It must still be making the rounds of the gossipmongers in town,” laughs Eve with satisfaction. “I’m glad you decided to buy it, you suit it, and the house needs love. Anyway, it was probably seeing that dog of yours, which made her stumble and drop the tray!”
“I’m just surprised it hasn’t been snapped up before now. It’s such a gorgeous house.” I ignore her final comment as there’s no point in arguing.
The waitress returns bringing our coffee and food. Taking the plate of rare steak, I chop it up giving it to Jasmine, to the shock of the waitress.
“Thank you that’s lovely,” I say with a polite smile.
“If you need anything else, just let me know. Your dog is beautiful,” replies the waitress with a wistful smile.
A pleasant change. Giving Jasmine a smile, I’m delighted at least someone in this town is happy to see her.
“Thank you, her name is Jasmine, and I’m Candi.
What’s your name?”
“Sally Jenson. Hi, Candi, I met you before when you first lived here. We were in class together.”
“Wow, you have a good memory. Sorry I don’t remember.” Embarrassment flushes my cheeks.
“I only remember you because you were living with your grandma, and because of what happened to your parents. The Protectors did the same to my cousins,” Sally answers, not realizing the distress she leaves my grandmother and me in, as she walks back inside the café.
“The Protectors, they are a group? You knew didn’t you? Oh my God, you’ve known all this time they killed my parents! How could you not tell me?” I angrily demand. Feeling like I’m about to cry, I stand up and fling a quick, “I gotta go,” at my grandma, leaving with Jasmine on my heels.
Heading back toward the shop and my parked car, I retrieve my keys so I can jump in before I burst into tears. Once in the safety of my car, I drive to the old Winters’ house, soon to be my home, parking around the back. Exiting, I head into the woods to look around, so I can cry without anyone seeing me.
****
With Jasmine at my side, I haven’t even scrambled halfway through the woods, before I realize I can’t see, due to the tears streaming down my face. With a sob I collapse in-between broken branches and bracken, finally succumbing to my distress, I cry my heart out.
The pain of my loss swiftly rushes to the surface. Surrounding me, as if it’d just happened. I curl my fingers through Jasmine’s soft fur as she half sits on me, giving me comfort.
“When will their loss ever be less painful.” I sniffle as I hunt for a tissue to blow my runny nose.
Her only response, a soft whine before placing her head on my shoulder.
“I’ll figure out somehow, how to help you as well. You’ve been my best friend since the first day we met, when we both joined the army. I blame myself for you being stuck in this form. If I hadn’t begged you to transform before finding out all the answers, you wouldn’t be stuck. And the fact no one senses you’re a shifter terrifies me the most, because I wonder if I’ve lost you.” I promise, as tears stream down my face, while my heart feels like it’s breaking all over again.
“Even if it means asking my grandma, though to be honest, a shifter would be more helpful,” I add, hugging her. With a sad woof, she stands shaking herself.
“We will find an answer, even if it means going to the other side of town, though after the moon cycle calms the werewolves down of course,” I hastily add.
With a grunt of agreement, she looks at me. With a final sigh, I scramble to my feet and walk farther into the woods to explore the land I’m buying. Breathing deeply, I feel peace enter my body the farther we go.
Eventually I arrive at the ruins and come to a stop. Glancing down at Jasmine, I catch her staring intently at the ruins. Stealthily we move forward with me in the lead.
Walking around, I notice the building from the outside seems sound enough. Watching where I step, I enter the old house. I spot uprooted floors and some fallen bricks. The inside of the house looks like it was ripped apart rather than abandoned.
As I step into what would have been the kitchen, it becomes obvious the house has been gutted. A sense of sadness and expectation lingers in the building. As if the house is holding its breath, waiting to see what I’ll do next.
Jasmine moves toward the stairs and climbs them with purpose. Following her, I ascend the stairs to the first landing and stare in shock at the destruction.
Someone has smashed through some of the walls and ripped apart what little furniture left in the house.
“What on earth happened here?” in horror, I stare at the destruction before me.