Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Kerry Barrett Page B

something in her ear, but I couldn’t be sure. Then we walked down the path and I helped her into the back seat of the Range Rover. She put on her seatbelt, leaned her head against the window and fell asleep almost immediately. I climbed into the passenger seat and exchanged a worried glance with Brent.
    ‘She’s feeling it, huh?’ he said as he pulled away from the kerb.
    ‘Seems to be,’ I said. ‘It’s horrible to watch.’
    Brent took his hand off the wheel and briefly gripped my fingers. The car was so big he had to lean across to reach me.
    ‘It’s all for a reason,’ he said. ‘Just try to remember that.’
    I smiled at him, then pulled my hand away. We were more comfortable with each other now, but I still didn’t feel we were at the touching stage. I could hear Nell’s voice in my head, telling me Brent liked me and I didn’t want any confusion about what kind of relationship we had, even though I still thought Nell was wrong.
    We drove on in silence for a while.
    ‘How are things at the café?’ Brent said eventually.
    ‘Oh fine,’ I said.
    ‘It’s kind of quiet.’
    ‘Time of year,’ I said. ‘And the weather’s not great.’
    He looked over at me.
    ‘Really?’
    I stared through the windscreen.
    ‘No,’ I admitted. ‘Not really. It’s been very quiet since I got back – and before, by all accounts.’
    ‘Any idea why?’
    ‘Does there have to be a reason?’
    Brent slowed down as we approached the outskirts of Inverness.
    ‘I’ve just heard a few things, that’s all,’ he said. ‘Things that I don’t think are fair, and I want you to know about.’
    I felt sick. Was Nell’s theory about Millicent and her Housewives’ Guild right?
    ‘What kind of things?’ I whispered, looking into the back seat to check Suky was still asleep.
    ‘Crazy stuff,’ Brent said. He laughed but I got the impression he didn’t think it was very funny.
    ‘I’ve got quite friendly with some of the women in town, you know the ones,’ he said. I closed my eyes, and nodded.
    ‘They’re always bringing me food, man,’ he said. ‘I don’t know how they think I’ve lasted this long without their pies.’
    I didn’t speak. I just wanted him to get to the point.
    ‘Anyway, I went along to one of their meetings yesterday, to chat to them about the internet. And I overheard some of their conversations.’
    It was his turn to look into the back seat.
    ‘They were talking about Suky,’ he said. ‘Implying she was messing with stuff she had no business messing with.’
    ‘Like what?’ I said. Brent flinched at my sharp tone.
    ‘I’m just telling you what I heard, Ez,’ he said.
    ‘Sorry,’ I whispered. ‘Go on.’
    ‘Well, it sounds ridiculous but some of them were saying she had,’ he gave a small chuckle, ‘magical powers.’
    I didn’t laugh. Brent turned his head to look at me, like he was gauging my reaction, then turned back to the road.
    ‘There seemed to be a view that she – and your Mum and their friend with the hair – were up to something,’ he said. ‘Something they didn’t want to be a part of.’
    So Suky had been right. Witches would be accepted while their spells worked, but if something went wrong, then woe betide us.
    I forced myself to laugh.
    ‘I’ve never heard anything so absurd in my whole life,’ I said. ‘Suky’s a herbalist. Perhaps they’re getting that confused with potions and cauldrons.’
    Brent pulled into the hospital car park.
    ‘Magical powers,’ I said. ‘I wish! It would help us find a parking space now, eh?’
    As I spoke the car in the space in front of us pulled away, leaving the perfect gap for Brent to slot the Range Rover into. I glanced into the back seat. Suky’s eyes were still closed but I got the distinct impression she was no longer asleep. So she could still manage a bit of magic, could she? Maybe I had seen sparks under her door last night after all.
    I undid my seatbelt.
    ‘Thank you for telling me,’ I said to