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?”
    “You have a bad habit of opening your mouth before your brain has engaged.”
    “Thanks! “
    “Sorry. I’ll keep my nose out.”
    “That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said since you got here.”
    “Okay, I’ll go. I know when I’m not wanted.”
    “Wait! There is something I’d like to ask you.”
    “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to stick my nose in.”
    “Touché. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how a relationship between a witch and a human might work. Relationships should be based on trust and honesty, but if I was to be with Jack, I wouldn’t be able to tell him that I’m a witch. Effectively, I’d be lying to him.”
    “That’s just how it is, unless you take another sup as a partner.”
    “Someone suggested that there are relationships between witches and humans where the husband does know his wife is a witch, but because he’s able to keep that a secret, they’re able to carry on without any interference from Candlefield.”
    “Who’s this someone who’s been advising you?”
    “I’d rather not say.”
    “I’d call that very bad advice. Such a relationship would be fraught with danger. A wrong word at the wrong time, and the next thing you know, the Rogue Retrievers would be called into action, and that would be the end of the marriage.”
    “I guess you’re right. Okay, thanks.”
     
    Not long after my mother had disappeared, my phone rang. I didn’t recognise the man’s voice.
    “Is that Jill Gooder?”
    “Speaking.”
    “It’s Stuart Steele. We met in Bar Fish.”
    “Yes, Stuart. I’m sorry about what happened yesterday.”
    “Me too. It was a terrible thing. That’s why I’m calling, actually. I wondered whether you’d be prepared to come and see me. I need someone to find out exactly what happened.”
    “Surely the police are doing that?”
    “Yes, but based on past experience, I’m not convinced that things will move as quickly as I need them to. If this isn’t cleared up soon, it could be very bad for my plans to franchise the business. Would you at least be prepared to come to my house to talk to me?”
    I hesitated. I knew what Jack would say if he found out I was involved.
    “Sure. Give me your address, and I’ll come over there tomorrow.”
     

Chapter 8
    “Jill, I’m really worried,” Mrs V said, as soon as I walked into the office the next morning.
    “What’s happened now?”
    “It’s Armi.”
    “Is he okay?”
    “Yeah, no. I don’t know. You remember I told you he came in yesterday, and gave me a kiss?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Well, he’s just done it again. He came bursting in, kissed me, and asked me to go to Paris for the weekend.”
    “Wow! Did you say you’d go?”
    “I think so. It all happened so quickly.”
    “That’s great, isn’t it? Paris is lovely at this time of year.”
    “I know. I really want to go, but I can’t figure out what’s happened to Armi. Last week I could barely get two words out of him. He was so shy, quiet, and reserved, but now he’s like a man possessed.”
    “Maybe that’s the effect you have on him, Mrs V.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous, Jill. Something’s happened. Do you think he’s on drugs or something?”
    “Armi? No, he’s not the kind of man to take drugs. Maybe being with you has given him the confidence he’s always been missing.”
    “Do you really think so?”
    “Definitely.” Or maybe not.
     
    ***
     
    It was a while since I’d seen Aunt Lucy, so I magicked myself over to her house where I found her sitting at the kitchen table. She looked down in the dumps; it looked as though there were tears in her eyes.
    “Aunt Lucy, are you okay?”
    “Sorry, Jill. I didn’t realise you were here. Yes, I’m fine.” She wiped her eyes. “Would you like a cup of tea?”
    “It’s okay. I’ll make one for both of us. You stay where you are.”
    I made tea, put a few custard creams on a plate, and joined her at the kitchen table.
    “Aunt Lucy, I know something’s