Page 55 of Two’s A Charm
SOMETHING CHARMING THIS WAY COMES
Effie
Cleansed at last of the spell, The Silver Slipper was back to being the cheerful gathering spot where Effie had first met Theo.
Knots of gaudily dressed tourists sipped away on beers and cocktails in every colour but purple, and couples curled up on the cosy outdoor seats.
A group of older women from the romance book club nursed generous pours of rosé while they compared scandalous book covers around one of the firepits, and an academic from the college marked essays on a candle-topped table.
The skies had cleared, creating a vast velvety blanket overhead, and the rows and rows of string lights knotted around the huge wisteria and draped over the perimeter shrubs lent a magical air to the space, setting the colourful plants and bright couch cushions aglow.
It was the first time Effie had truly seen the bar – truly, properly seen it and all the work Bonnie had put in.
‘You’ve done a really great job with this place, sis,’ Effie said. And she meant every word.
‘Thanks, Eff,’ said Bonnie, tapping her wrist against her sister’s so that their shared magic sparkled softly. ‘That means a ton coming from you.’
Leading Effie and Theo up the pathway through the patio area, Bonnie shoved open the bar’s main door with a confidence that for once didn’t make Effie jealous.
Inside was just as busy as outside had been – and just as cosy.
Effie was relieved to see that the townsfolk had returned to their usual selves, and that everyone had pitched in to clean up the mess from earlier.
Although poor Alana was looking a tad the worse for wear and was taking a breather on a stool towards the back of the room.
And Hannah was frantically scrolling through emails on her phone as she stress-ate a cookie.
‘No idea what happened,’ said Bobby, who was mopping up a particularly purple patch of fur. ‘A rabid raccoon is my best guess.’
‘Gross,’ said Kirsty, making a face as she used a pair of bar tongs to pick up a used napkin.
She took a few steps to the side. Ah, this was the Kirsty that Effie knew and, well, loved was definitely not the word for it.
‘Of course you’d suggest something foul like that.
I’m working alongside him, Bonnie. Not with him. Just to make that clear.’
Bonnie shot Effie a look of sheer joy. ‘So you don’t remember the whole Bobby situation?’
‘I remember that he wrote your name in chocolate chips on the eighteenth birthday cookie he made you. Mortifying.’
‘But nothing about purple cocktails?’ Bonnie pressed.
Theo squeezed Effie’s hand, making her wrist glimmer green. She squeezed back, stepping closer so that she could lean into him the way she’d been dying to for weeks now. Their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, even allowing for Effie’s book bag.
Kirsty frowned as she regarded her purple-stained athleisure in dismay. ‘You know, I sipped something out of that Moscow mule mug that time. Not to be rude, but that recipe could have done with some refining.’
‘Agreed,’ whispered Effie, with a wink at Theo.
Bonnie bit her bottom lip, then, with uncharacteristic humility, said, ‘As much as it pains me to say it, I think you might be right.’
‘Hey, city boy!’ Winston called over to Theo from over at the darts board. ‘Up for a game of darts?’
‘I’ll shout you a shandy if you win,’ added Gerald Ho.
‘Just pretend you understand what he says,’ whispered Bonnie. ‘That’s what I do.’
‘Give me a few, and I’ll be there,’ promised Theo. ‘But I want to buy this lovely individual a drink first. What would you like, Effie?’
‘I hear she’s on malbecs these days,’ said Bonnie, with a raised eyebrow.
Theo shot Effie a grin. ‘Is that so? A woman of culture, I see.’
Effie folded her arms. ‘I’d actually love a G I have mine.’
She could hardly argue with that. ‘I can see that. All right. Come on. But if you see Bonnie in the morning, make sure she cooks you breakfast. She owes me.’
Theo held up his hands. ‘I’m not even going to ask.’