Page 53 of Black and White, Twice the Might (Cadenbury Town #8)

I put the finishing touches to the table as Sly checks on the food.

Today is Sunday, and our first family dinner.

Sly has gone all out. We have a lamb roast. I made an apple crumble for dessert and a lemon and ginger cheesecake.

I also made everyone a little box of chocolates, as a treat.

The boxes are resting on everyone’s placemat.

Sly magics the table bigger so we can all fit around it.

Everything is nearly ready, and we can put it out when the family arrives.

I walk over to Sly, who is busy making the gravy and kiss his cheek. “This all smells amazing.”

He gives me a wide smile. “Thanks. I’ve missed throwing lunch and dinner parties.”

Just then, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it,” Xander shouts, running for the door. Sly and I walk out of the kitchen to welcome our guests.

Greetings are given and coats taken. It’s then I realise there are gift bags, plus Jude is carrying Connie’s highchair.

Ernest holds out one of the gift bags. “We brought moving-in gifts.”

“Oh wow, thank you,” Sly says, taking the bag.

“You didn’t need to do that, you helped us move in,” I tell them, as Nix hands me a bag.

“Tough,” Temp replies, holding a bag out to Xander, as Kean hands one to Enoch.

The boys stammer out their thanks as Sly and I are handed more presents.

“Come on through to the kitchen, then we can open these and get drinks,” I say, leading the way.

“It smells amazing in here. Can I do anything to help?” Emily offers.

“No thanks, Emily. It’s pretty much ready. We’re just going to sort drinks, open presents and dish up,” Sly replies, putting his bags on the island.

Drinks and glasses are all set out on the island.

Adhan walks to the island. “We can sort the drinks if you want to concentrate on dishing up, you can open your gifts later.”

“Thanks, Adhan,” Sly says, walking to the oven, just as the doorbell rings.

“I’ll go,” I say, walking to the front door and opening it. I smile as I see Molly standing there, Miles at her side. I bend down and stroke Miles. “Hey, Miles,” I stand up. “Sorry, Molly, I should have said hello to you first. Come on in.”

Molly cackles as they both walk in. “Nothing wrong with saying hello to Miles first.” She holds out a bag. “Just a little something for you all.”

I take it and smile at her. “Thanks, Molly. We’re all in the kitchen.”

I lead Molly through and see that nearly all the food is now on the table. Xander and Enoch are just bringing jugs of gravy over.

“Molly’s here,” I announce.

After a round of hellos, Adhan gets Molly a drink.

“Up to the table, everyone,” Sly calls.

Everyone moves to the table, and Alfred spots the boxes. He looks at me and grins as he sits down. “Did you make us chocolates?”

“I did. I have a box for Justice, Cassie and Sion as well. Plus, we’ve kept food back for them.”

“Thanks, guys,” Titus says, moving his box out of the way. “I can’t wait to try one.”

“Sly, it looks like you’re feeding an army,” Nix says, laughing as he sits down.

“Just hungry wolves and growing boys,” he replies as everyone hands around dishes.

Apart from the roast lamb and gravy, there are roast potatoes, carrots, swede, peas, and honey-roasted parsnips.

Brussels sprouts with bacon lardons, roasted peppers, and Yorkshire puddings.

There is also mint and apple sauce in dishes scattered around the table.

There are happy rumbles as everyone digs in.

I swallow my bite of food and look at Ernest. “Are you still grumpy?”

The table erupts into laughter.

Ernest puts his knife down and waves his hand about. “I’m over it now.”

I’m not the only one who scoffs at that.

“That’s not strictly true, is it, young’un?”

Ernest huffs. “Fine, I’m still grumpy, but I’ll get over it. We can play with the magic box, that will cheer me up.”

“I’ve added it to the website,” Temp tells us, biting into a potato.

“We’ll score it later,” Sly replies.

The rest of the dinner was fun. The desserts were enjoyed, and over coffee, my chocolates were eaten. I might have blushed a little at the praise, glad they were a hit.

We opened our gifts, all amazing, including a lovely glass sculpture of our family, made by Nix and Sal and a lovely Amethyst geode from Molly.

We know we still have the magic box to see to, another dark witch to deal with and Waylon, but here surrounded by our new family and friends, I have no doubt that we will succeed in stopping them. Especially with Sly by my side. I mean with black and white it’s twice the might.

The end