Returned (14 page)

“How do I do that?”

“Every High Priestess has given a name to their coven. It is something that is written deep inside your heart. All you need to do is concentrate and look deep within yourself.”

She looked at Tabitha for some sort of guidance. She wasn’t entirely sure how she could be the High Priestess. She was seventeen years old with no life experience, with no memories of her apparent life, this or her previous one. She didn't know anything about leadership, about witchcraft. Tabitha should be the one here in this place.

             
Taking deeper breaths, she closed her eyes and let a calmness flow over her body. She thought about a name, the coven, her family, Tabitha. The answer didn’t scream out at her but she still knew it. Smiling, she opened her eyes and focused them on Tabitha who was watching her closely.

“This coven will be called Gréne Coven.”

Gasps from Ayden and Ember made her stomach drop to her feet but she was entirely focused on Tabitha.

“Tabitha, what’s wrong?” Her voice was more demanding that she intended but she didn't care.

“Everything is fine.” Tabitha held her arms tightly across her chest as if holding herself in one piece.

“Tabitha, if I may?” Ember looked at Tabitha and received a small nod. “Cora, where did you get the idea for your coven name?”

“I don’t know.  It just came to me. Can you please tell me what has happened?”

Ember placed a hand on her shoulder, she assumed it was there to try and comfort her. It didn’t have the desired effect.

“You did nothing wrong. Please do not worry.”

Do not worry? How could she not when all three of them looked like they were struggling to swallow a rock.

“It was her chosen name.”

She looked at Tabitha sure it was her who had spoken although the strange squeaky voice didn't sound like hers. Ayden remained at her side holding her hand.

“It was your mother’s chosen name for her coven. Gréne is the old term for the colour green. This is my colour. As you have probably already noticed, I wear green belts,” she whispered. “Every family was represented by a colour. At one time that family would be the sole members of the coven. As time progressed and the witch population decreased covens made the decision to join as one. When your mother became the High Priestess of her coven, my family became a part of it. She named the coven after my family colour. It was her way of showing her love and respect for me.”

“What was my family colour?”

“Carnation Pink.”

Pink. She laughed as the others looked at her in shock. She hated pink. Green gave the impression of something that was solid, something that was dependable. Yes, she was analysing the meaning of a colour. It didn’t matter. That colour felt right.  

“Well, that will be our coven name,” Cora informed them.

Tabitha stood and walked over to her. 

“Thank you.” She placed an arm around her shoulders hugging her.

“It makes more sense. You're the one who will guide me, you're the one who will help me.”

“I can imagine my reaction startled you, I’m sorry I was a little taken aback because you called me Tab.”

“Huh?”

“When you asked for my help lighting the candles you called me Tab. Your mother called me Tab. You remind me so much of her. When I saw you walk into the shop this morning I thought you were your mother. It took me a second to remember. I miss her.  She was a beautiful person inside and out and so are you.”

Cora didn't agree but remained quiet
;
she didn’t feel like it was wise to argue with Tabitha.

Chapter 1
6

DISTRACTIONS

“Cora, a customer needs help,” Tabitha whispered as she manoeuvred around her to get to the stock room.

She hissed as a sharp pain in the heel of her foot shot up her leg. They were literally screaming at her. It was only Thursday and she was crippled, her feet had never worked so hard in their short life. She had been warned that the lead up to Halloween brought madness.

It got worse.

Halloween was still another four weeks away.

“Hello, how can I help you?”

The customer was an elderly woman; her silver grey curls held into shape with, she didn’t doubt, an entire can of hairspray. Her pale green eyes twinkled when she smiled at her. The lines in her face multiplying by the thousands.

“I need some ingredients, dear.” She pulled a crumpled list from her pocket, pushed it right in front of her wrinkled face and studied it. “I need a sachet full of rose petals if you have enough. I also need some acacia, the bark is meant to be stronger than little twigs. It will make him stronger,” she winked at her as she passed by picking up some love red candles.

             
Cora stood, frozen in shock. She fought the urge not to laugh. She hadn't misinterpreted. It was as clear as day what she wanted the ingredients for. Turning, she headed towards the stock room trying to desperately shake the nightmare image from her thoughts
.
Tabitha laughed as she passed by.

“Don’t,” she snapped and tried to scowl, but the corners of her lips twitched.

Tabitha had purposefully sent her to the lion’s den.

             
The stock room wasn’t very big consisting of a chest of drawers for the smaller things, two book cases and an area in the far corner for the bigger things such as the brooms, cauldrons and giant pillar candles. The bark, twigs and petals were located in the second drawer to the left. Opening it, she grabbed the acacia, took a deep breath and walked back into the shop.

             
Tabitha was talking to a woman near the Halloween display. Cora smiled despite her horrid mood. She was probably trying to sell her the display items at half the price. Tabitha had sold Lord knows how many inflatable witches, brooms and cauldrons to passing customers. She was dragging people in off the street.

             
The elderly woman was looking at the books stacked in the large bookcase. Her bony china white finger skimmed the book titled
love potions
. Cora turned away to hide the smile on her face. It was a blessing she didn't know how to use the till yet. “Tabitha, you're needed.”

Tabitha glanced her way and smiled. Leaping towards much needed freedom and masterfully avoiding the elderly lady, she continued to clean and re-arrange the potion pots. Cora had learnt over the week that no matter how much you dusted, within hours the place had a nice covering of dust again. She liked it, it added a certain charm to the shop.

             
She lost herself in
her task
and jumped when the s
hop bell tinkled. Placing the last potion on the shelf she turned and found Tabitha wasn’t in the shop. Glancing at the cat shaped clock she realised it was nearly five which would mean Tabitha was making her special hot chocolate. The customer stood looking at sachets of brilliant white viburnum petals.

“Excuse me, can I help you,” she asked as she approached the customer.

He turned holding the sachet in his hand and that was when she lost the use of her tongue. His shoulder length dirty blonde hair was pushed behind his ears, his faded brown leather jacket was open revealing the beginnings of a toned chest. There was something about him, something rough, all man, that had her heart racing. Her eyes continued to travel upwards. Green eyes hooked hers, she liked the way the green flirted with tiny specks of yellow. She felt heat stroke her cheeks and knew her face was on fire. She looked down at the floor embarrassed.

“I was thinking of buying this sachet, I’m in need of some strength.”

She looked back up in time to catch his easy smile and watched him glide his hand through his hair. She sucked in a breath and held it.

She needed to focus, but how could she when he was looking at her like that? Simply looking at her was distracting enough.

“Yes, that is very good for strength.” She fought for concentration. “But you could also try dandelion leaves or perhaps wolves hair?”

She was so thankful to Tabitha who’d taught her the importance of spell ingredients during quiet moments in the shop.

“What exactly does wolf hair do?”

“Errmmm… well you mentioned that you are in need of strength, dandelion leaves and wolves hair gives strength. Wolves hair is particularly good for strength and protection.”

Her insides did a little high five. It definitely paid to know her information.

“Have you got any of those items in the shop?”

“Sure.” She moved around him leading the way to the small cabinet that was stood nearest the fake staircase. “Here they are.” She moved aside allowing him room to look at the items. She stood behind the counter and watched as his easy stride brought him over to her. His full lips quirking, the act making her heart bash against her ribcage.

“I’ll take these,” he smiled and handed her the items.

“Sure.”

She nibbled her lip and worried for a moment. How hard could it be to use the till? Someone at this point usually said: ‘famous last words’.

             
Placing the items on the counter, her first port of call was putting the amount into the till. She glared at the brass buttons silently telling them to behave and make her look good. She pushed the numbers, the loud punch ringing home the cost. Pulling a bag from under the counter, she placed the first item in there. Having managed to ring home all his items her next dilemma was how to open the money slot. The majority of the buttons were numbered but the important ones weren't, shiny brass buttons reflected her terrified face back at her.  Holding her breath, she resisted the urge to say eny meeny miny moe. Hovering over a button for an uncertain second, she took the bull by the horns and pushed it down. The till made the satisfactory ping and popped open.

“That will be £5.79.”

He gave her a ten pound note which she placed under a latch and collected the right amount of change from the coin slots. “Thank you for shopping at
The Broom Cupboard
.”

“Oh, the pleasure was mine,” he smiled taking the bag from her outstretched hand. “I haven’t seen you around, are you new?”

“Yes, I moved here last week.” She couldn't believe it had only been a week. 

He nodded, his head falling to the side as he studied her. “Well, hopefully I’ll see you around, what’s your name?”

“Cora,” she smiled.

He made his way over to the door and opened it. He turned and looked at her. “By the way, my name is Clay.” The door closed behind him.

She let out the breath she’d been holding and stood there smiling.

“What are you smiling at?”

Jumping, she turned and found Tabitha stood at the top of the fake stairs. How long had she been stood there?

“The last customer made me smile.”

“Good. You seem to be settling in.” Tabitha placed the two steaming cups on the table.

There was that phrase again,
settling in
. She didn’t dare use the petunia comment on Tabitha.

“Yeah, rather shockingly I love working here. I know,” she said in answer to Tabitha's raised brows. “I can't believe it either.”

She parked herself on the chair next to Tabitha. “I feel like I’ve finally found where I should be.”

Tabitha smiled. “Good.”

The bell tinkled above the shop door.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my two favourite ladies,” Ayden proclaimed extravagantly as he sauntered up the steps into the shop.

“What about Ember?” Cora teased, flashing him a smile.

“She’s not here so she doesn’t need to know.” His eyes twinkled as he bowed.

“High Priestess, Tabitha. What have you been doing today then?”

Ayden's attention was on her yet he'd somehow stolen Tabitha's cup and was gulping down the sweet stuff like it was cold. 

“Serving customers, cleaning, serving customers, cleaning,” she said and then scrunched up her nose when she remembered the elderly lady. She was going to have nightmares about that one. “One customer may be receiving too much... you know. I feel sorry for her poor husband.”

Tabitha laughed and with great skill snatched back her drink without spilling a drop.

“Well, I believe you can never be too old for shaking the bed.”

“Ayden!” she spluttered choking on her drink.

He laughed before saying, “According to
my
sources, the weather is going to be glorious this weekend. How about when you get off work on Saturday we all go for a picnic in Andrew Bruton’s field?”