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“Run?” Alice asked.

“No. I’ll talk to them. The Raskins are going to be pissed tomorrow.”

“You talk to them. I better get Gwennie in case they went around back.” Alice took off, running for the back exit.

Chapter 2

Opening Delays

The sun peeked through the light gray clouds that blanketed the midday sky. Hugo took Alice’s hand as they approached the Raskin’s Neighborhood Market. He rubbed his thumb in circles to send love messages he knew she wouldn’t decipher, but her body would understand. Hugo risked a peek at Alice’s face and smiled.

“Do you think they’re still mad at you?” Alice asked with a returning grin.

“Nah,” Hugo said. He thought for a moment. “I don’t think so. It’s all good. I explained to them what happened. I owe them for the cost of the false alarm . . . and maybe the late night wake-up call, but nothing major. I’m glad Gwennie took off and didn’t get caught.”

“Broomsticks tend to scatter when startled.”

“Gally never scattered,” Hugo said.

“Gally thought he was a dog,” Alice replied. “He probably picked up some bad habits from Max.”

Hugo chuckled. “Oh, no doubt. Luckily, Gwennie hid on the roof.”

“She’s a good broomstick. Young, but good,” Alice said as shelocked arms with Hugo. “I think the cop was more startled to see me.”

They approached the front entrance. Shoppers came and went as they conducted their Saturday errands. Hugo and Alice passed through the automatic doors as a gush of air descended upon them. Alice quickly secured her curved witch’s hat before it went flying off her head.

“One day, I’m going to lose my hat to that thing.”

“It would be hilarious to watch you chase after your hat,” he replied with a sly smile. “Unable to use your magick in front of everyone. Scrambling around the parking lot for it.”

“Oh, there’d be magick,” Alice replied with a Cheshire grin. “Believe that. I’m not chasing after this thing.”

The store was bustling with activity, far busier than a typical Saturday crowd. There were candy stations setup through the store, so kids could trick-or-treat while their parents shopped for their weekly groceries. It was the Saturday before Halloween and, most importantly, the launch day for The Neighborhood Witch.

No one greeted them as they entered. Someone always welcomed customers into the store. Oliver wanted to welcome customers like an old friend returning for a visit.

Hugo focused on the registers as they continued past. Two were empty, very unusual for a Saturday. The other registers had lines stretching back into the aisles. The cashiers frantically hurried to get the customers through their lines as quickly as possible. They didn’t have time for the usual pleasantries.

Hugo and Alice made their way through the store toward the deli counter. They were expecting Oliver to be holding court, but he was absent.

“Huh,” Hugo said. “Oliver’s usually hanging out here.”

“Maybe he stepped away,” Alice said.

Hugo smiled at Alice with a mischievous grin. “Let’s go check out the display. Maybe they’re over there.”

They followed a familiar path to the wine section. There was acrowd of people checking out the new wine, holding and examining the bottle. Some people placed it back on the shelves. Others put the bottle in their carts. Alice turned to Hugo, a twinkle in her eye, grinning ear to ear.

“They’re buying my wine. In a real store,” she said in a hushed tone to Hugo.

“I’m so proud of you. Congratulations,” Hugo said. He hugged her and gave her a quick kiss on top of her hat.

“You missed,” she said.

“Did I?” he asked with a coy smile.

“Look, Mommy, it’s the witch from the picture!” a small child belted out. “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”