Page 50 of Two’s A Charm

IMPRACTICAL MAGIC

Bonnie

Trivia Night had rolled around far too quickly, thought Bonnie, waving as the mainstays of The Silver Slipper piled through the door.

She’d barely had time to put the questions together, let alone check that they were simple enough for the townsfolk to answer after consuming a pitcher or two of Memory Lane.

Just so long as they remembered to buy their drinks and tally up their responses, all would be well. She hoped.

Oh thank goodness, here was Tessa, who was not only one of Yellowbrick Grove’s more intelligent residents, but whose preference for bubbly had kept her safe from the befuddling effects of the charmed drinks.

At least someone would be earning some points tonight.

And Bonnie would have plausible deniability.

Especially since Cassandra of the student newspaper had apparently thoroughly forgotten about their interview.

There was no sign of Effie, though, she noted.

Bonnie had barely seen her sister since Effie’s embarrassing display at Tessa’s possible shop space.

Apparently she’d been throwing herself into her librarian responsibilities, but really, how many responsibilities could a librarian possibly have?

Lots, she supposed, if they involved Theo.

But Bonnie had explicitly invited Effie to Trivia Night a few weeks back, before things between them had taken a turn for the worse.

And Effie wasn’t one to renege on anything written down on the kitchen calendar, no matter how much pride was involved.

But it was odd that she hadn’t shown up with Tessa.

Even after their little tiff at Tessa’s shop.

Bonnie wrapped Effie’s friend in a proper, voluminous hug – she’d decided it was time to upgrade Tessa from acquaintance to friend. ‘Good thing you came, because you’re a shoo-in for the prize tonight.’

‘What’s the prize?’ asked Tessa curiously.

‘A gift voucher for Uncle Oswald’s shop. And a meat tray. Ugh, I should’ve prepared a vegetarian option, shouldn’t I? I’ll check with the butcher.’

‘Ah, the butcher. The perfect place to get your veggie treats,’ joked Tessa. ‘But I’m in. You know I love to wipe the floor with the townsfolk.’

‘I do indeed, and I appreciate it,’ said Bonnie. ‘Saves me having to mop.’

‘Alana’s on her way, too. She’s just finishing up a class at the studio.’ Tessa toyed with one of her perfect curls. ‘I texted Effie as well, just in case. But I can’t promise anything, even though I mentioned...’

She trailed off, then course-corrected. ‘She’s been pretty busy recently, I guess.’

Wondering what Tessa had been about to say, Bonnie busied herself popping open a bottle of prosecco for Tessa.

The pop of the cork – and Bonnie’s accompanying yelp – coincided with the swinging of the front door, which gave way to reveal a familiar T-shirt and cardigan combo.

But styled in a more put-together way than usual.

‘Speak of the devil,’ muttered Bonnie, as Effie strode into the bar with something approaching confidence. She couldn’t wait to hear all the complaints Effie had about the bar and its patrons. Not to mention the dressing-down she was about to be subjected to for daring to speak with Tessa.

‘You made it!’ said Tessa, sounding surprised, but also a little relieved. She angled away from Bonnie, as though trying to show that the two of them weren’t that close, not really, and that Effie didn’t need to be jealous.

‘You invited me,’ said Effie. Fiddling with one of Oswald’s coasters, she turned to Bonnie. ‘And you as well.’

‘Well, aren’t you a regular social butterfly,’ said Bonnie. She paused, then added, ‘You look nice.’

Effie did, actually. She was wearing a habitually terrible T-shirt, yes, but there was something different about her.

She’d parted her hair differently, giving extra pop to her white streak, which Bonnie secretly liked, although she’d never admit it.

There was a dusting of eyeshadow on her sister’s eyes – not to mention a coat of mascara.

And, most important of all, Effie was wearing a skirt !

One that reached mid-calf, which in Effie hem-length parlance was positively scandalous.

This, all of this, was the equivalent of Sandy in Grease making herself over at the end of the film.

Effie might as well be in skin-tight black leggings and red heels, with a serious bouffant hairdo and a new-found smoking habit.

(As much as Bonnie would never admit it, Effie would actually look brilliant in such an outfit – if she ever had the guts.)

There was no denying it: Effie was in love.

‘Thanks,’ said Effie awkwardly, pulling her cardigan around herself. She swallowed. ‘Besides, Tessa and I are on a team together. Right?’

She sounded a little nervous as she said it, as though she was worried that Tessa might disagree.

But Tessa nodded. ‘Of course, Effie.’

There was a sense of palpable relief between them.

‘You know I can’t let any question go unanswered,’ added Effie, an odd tone to her voice. She and Tessa exchanged a look that felt a little too pointed. Bonnie faltered. Was something going on here that she wasn’t privy to?

As Effie slid over the sign-up payment, Tessa pulled a hand-drawn sign from the purse she’d hung beneath the bar. She’d adorned it with a generous number of sparkles and bottle caps. ‘We’re going to be Tea for Two.’

‘I’ve got you down,’ said Bonnie, writing their name up on the chalkboard behind her.

Her hand shook slightly as she noticed Effie glancing around the bar, settling her judgemental gaze over the patrons.

Effie seemed to be looking for something.

‘Nice sign – you could use that as advertising for the new shop.’

‘Believe me, out of financial necessity, there’ll be a ton of DIY branding,’ said Tessa. ‘Maybe you can help me, Effie. We can gather up the kids from craft night.’

‘Sure,’ said Effie, with surprising readiness.

Tessa sipped her prosecco. ‘Is Theo coming? We could be Tea for Three. Or four,’ she added quietly.

‘He’s on his way,’ said Effie, with a quick glance at her watch. ‘Apparently there’s no limit to the amount of walking a terrier needs. Bernard is quite the distance runner.’

Effie didn’t even sound slighted, even though she was obsessive about punctuality. She sounded happy . Bonnie hadn’t thought such a thing possible. Who was Effie without something to gripe about?

‘But let’s keep our team name,’ Effie added. ‘There’s magic in twos.’

Bonnie glanced up, wondering if perhaps Effie was speaking to her. There was something in that little phrase that resonated, reminding Bonnie that in spite of everything that had happened this past year, they were sisters. And that perhaps, whatever happened, maybe Effie really did have her back.

She hoped.

But no, Effie was looking at Tessa.

‘Anything for you, Effie?’ asked Bonnie at last, her hand on the soda water dispenser.

Effie considered. Bonnie could see she was intrigued by the vivid purple Memory Lane concentrate, which patrons were ordering practically in bulk. But with a slow furrow of her brow, she shook her head.

Bonnie’s smile wavered. First the look between Effie and Tessa, and now this hesitation to order a drink. Was Effie on to her? She could sniff out magic like a bloodhound, after all. And the magic was thick in the air tonight.

‘Just a wine,’ said Effie eventually. ‘A malbec.’

‘Wow, look at you.’ Bonnie raised an eyebrow.

‘Let me guess, you found some dusty old books in the wine bit of the non-fiction section. Here, I’ve got one from Mendoza.

’ She hefted the bottle, feeling the damp prickle of anxious sweat, something that the beading of her fabulous minidress did not need.

‘All right. I trust your recommendation.’ Effie’s tone said the opposite, but she took the glass of red and slid over a generous tip.

‘It’s on the house,’ said Bonnie, though it pained her to say it.

‘No, it’s fine. I’m not going to take money out of the till of a small business. Besides...’

Besides . That one small word held a world of meaning.

Bonnie’s eyes narrowed as she read the reams of judgement in Effie’s statement.

She looked around, taking in the bar she’d worked so hard to get off the ground.

Yes, so she’d fallen behind on some of the repairs with her busy schedule and without Bobby around to help, but she was going to get that window fixed, and she already had the paint to touch up the mysterious scrape that had appeared on the back wall the other day.

And sure, the crowd had been a little odd recently, but that wasn’t entirely her fault.

Oswald deserved some of the blame as well.

Especially given how sharply he’d responded to her suggestion that they pause the bespelled drinks until she’d figured out the side effects.

Remember, it’s our little secret , he’d snarled. The threat had been clear.

Taking Effie’s money, Bonnie affected her biggest, fakest smile.

‘Well, grab a table and do some last-minute studying. We’ll start in about half an hour.’