by Olivia Swift
He pulled back at last and ran his hand over her hair.
“You are beautiful, Magda Caraganic. Your new building starts to go up tomorrow. I’ll try and make it good enough for you.” Then he walked away quickly, started up the truck, and left her unsteady at the door.
Magda closed the door and leaned against it until she could think straight.
“Where are Sam and I going with this?” she asked herself and pushed to one side the very obvious answer.
The cats were still on the sofa, and she picked up the tablet to look at the ancestry page again.
“Great Granddad had two sisters, girls. I think I knew that but not who they were or what they were called.”
The page said that her great grandfather was Tomas Caraganic, and his sisters were Marianne and Irina. Crystal stretched her paw across the screen and then leaned back. It swiped the screen, and the tablet fell from Magda’s knee onto the cushion.
“You are naughty sometimes, Crystal,” she said as she retrieved the tablet and then looked again at the screen. “But did you do that deliberately?”
9
On the screen was an enlarged version of the name Irina. Crystal had zoomed in on a particular name. She looked at the cat.
“Is Irina Caraganic our mysterious ghost lady, Crystal?” The lilac tortie Birman just looked back enigmatically from those startlingly blue eyes. “Come on girls. Let’s go to bed.” Once in bed she texted Sam to tell him what the cat had done and then she lay back watching something peaceful about gardens on the TV. She heard the phone go ping. Sam had sent a jokey picture of a ghost and two kisses.
The morning was going to be busy, and Magda was up and around and ready to start when Katie arrived. She had left the vat unheated deliberately and went through the whole rigmarole of melting the chocolate she required. Katie said it was a lovely job to just stand stirring melted chocolate.
“Once you have done it for awhile, you don’t even smell it anymore,” Magda said and demonstrated how the chocolate surrounded the orange liqueur centers that were already made up. They set them to cool and Magda showed her how to prepare the packaging.
“I am persnickety about this,” she admitted. “When I cut them, it has to be perfect and each one the same. Then they are made into boxes that look like bags and we can tie the top.”
“I am used to cutting as I do my prints like that with a slice-across cutter.” She demonstrated, and Magda was happy with the result. She took some truffles from the refrigerated case and put six into the first bag, tied it and added a separate bow. These cards are all marked Rose Cream, and they all have to be bagged.”
“Okay,” Katie said. “I can do that.”
Magda’s phone rang, and Sam asked if she could come and spend some time to walk through where this vat was to go.
“I will do the shopping for Rula at the same time,” she said and asked Katie if she was okay working on her own.
“Shut the door behind you when you finish and we’ll call it a day.”
Magda ran a brush through her hair and grabbed a jacket. She kept on the flat shoes to make it easy in the shopping mall but had a quick look in the mirror before she dashed away.
She found a parking spot and walked the short distance to where she could still see the trucks taking up space beside the hiking shop. One had the caption Sam Barnes along the side and she smiled as she turned down the alleyway. Then she saw Sam. He looked good wearing a tool belt. Then she saw why he was not working and why there were no other men showing themselves. There was hammering going on out of sight but only Sam to be seen.
In front of him was Loretta Dean. She had a skirt so short it was more like a belt, and the tan on the legs was from a bottle and patchy. The top she wore was very skimpy, and she was waving her hands and talking to Sam. He looked mesmerized and rooted to the spot. Magda marched across.
“Sam, baby, you need to relax after this hard work. I know how to help you unwind.” Loretta was cooing at him. Sam made no reply but the woman swung around when Magda spoke.
“Sam, baby, indeed. I don’t know who you are, lady, but this is my property. Get off my property and get away from my man. You can walk away yourself, or I can throw you out on your fat backside or your botoxed face. Doesn’t matter to me, but you don’t have long to decide.”
“And who are you?” Loretta tried to bluster her way out of it, but Magda was having none of it.
“I am the owner of this building and he is my boyfriend. Clear off and put some clothes on for goodness sake.” She dropped her shoulder bag, pushed up her sleeves and took a step toward Loretta. “My judo taught me well,” she hissed quietly. “You wanna risk it?”
“Well, I’m sorry I even offered. The man must be a fool.” Loretta tried to show that she was offended, but at one more step forward, she decided retreating was the best thing to do and stalked away on high heels.
From the inside and outside of the building Magda got a round of applause and some cheers. The men came out from their hiding places, and Sam found a box to sit on.
“Ye gods, that woman is frightening.”
“But not that one.” Magda looked inside the door as the faintest shadow of a dress flickered away into the ether.
“Was she there?” Sam asked and Magda nodded.
“She was smiling at you,” Declan Coombs, the carpenter, put in. Both Sam and Magda turned immediately and asked him what he saw. “A woman in a dark dress with a belt around her waist, and she smiled before she disappeared.
“I know this is an odd question,” Magda said, “but do you own a cat?”
“Got three,” he answered. “Why?” They told him that she only showed herself to cat lovers.
“The woman must have had the right attitude,” he remarked and went back to his wood and his drill apparently not concerned that he had seen a ghost.
“Right. Have you recovered enough to show me this vat problem?” Magda demanded of Sam and he grinned.
“Oh yes, my man and my boyfriend. It will take a long time to live that one down.”
“It saved you. Didn’t it?” she asked crossly and went inside the café. He grinned behind her back, and Declan gave him the thumbs-up.
Hands on hips she wanted to know what was the problem.
They figured out where everything would go because they needed to put in the plumbing, and Magda could almost see it in her head.
“The cat has no wall to walk through,” she pointed out as the last of the rubble was carted away.
“I expect he will think it’s still there and just walk.” Sam observed. “Now that the place is cleared, I can get these paving stones cleaned. We’ll try a power washer I think.”
“I am off to get the things that Rula needs,” she said, and he suggested they buy something to eat later. “Saves cooking,” she agreed, and he said he would pick her up at six thirty.
“I’ll bring the car instead of the truck.” He grinned. “If I’m the boyfriend, I’ll have to make the effort.”
“Don’t push it,” she warned but kissed his cheek before walking away.
“Thanks, Magda,” Declan called after her and she waved a hand.
The shopping cart was piled high by the time she reached the checkout, and she had put a huge bouquet of flowers on top for Rula’s mom as well. Rula had a small but pretty house on the outskirts of the town, and Magda let herself in with the spare key. She unloaded the shopping and made sure everything was okay, threw away the older things from the fridge, and restocked. She ran a duster over everything, opened the windows to blow some fresh air through and found a vase for the flowers. She put tissues, a glass, and a bottle of water beside the spare bed and a card on the pillow on which she had written a get-well wish, then texted Rula to say what she had done.
Rula called back to say thanks and do a quick catch-up.
“And Sam is actually not here this time,” she remarked sarcastically. Magda laughed and told her about Loretta Dean.
“The
men were all hiding and Sam was rooted to the spot. She terrifies the life out of him.”
“What happened?” Rula queried, and Magda said that she had sent her packing. Then she mentioned about the ghost lady and how Declan had seen her as well.
“He was not bothered at all and went back to work as if he saw a ghost every day. Must admit it freaks me out a bit. The cat I don’t mind but the lady, I am not so sure. Sam suggested we try and find out who she might be, and we looked at that ancestry site.”
“I’ve got loads to catch up on tomorrow,” Rula said. “I’ll text when I am almost home and you can drive over. Mom will be delighted to see you. She is miserable. You know how active she is and sitting still is driving her mad.”
“Drive safely,” Magda said. She locked up and drove home. She had deliberately not told Rula about going out for a meal.
“Think I might wear a skirt for a change,” she thought to herself. “Got better legs than that Loretta.” In the end she found a red dress that clashed with the plum hair but was an up-to-date look. She took some care with the makeup and slipped on high heels. A small purse was almost a match, and she grabbed a biker jacket in case it was chilly later.
When he arrived at the door, she had the jacket slung over one shoulder, and the sight stopped him in his tracks.
“Wow. Whatever did I do to deserve this?” he asked and produced another single rose.
“Thank you,” she said and popped the flower in beside the one already there. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She smiled. “Got to say that tool belt was a good look.”
“Obviously Loretta thought so as well. All the men were delighted when you got rid of her.”
“Forget her. Let’s go and eat,” she said.
He offered her an arm and a grin. She took it and they climbed into his car.”
“Better than traveling in that truck,” she observed and settled down into the seat. They planned to be free of work by late morning the next day and meet Rula. She called Branston as they drove, and he said he would meet them there.
“Italian?” Sam asked, and she said that would be lovely. He looked across. “Is this a proper date or a trial one?”
“A trial one,” she answered. “We have lots to talk about with the building as well as the ancestry thing and Rula’s mom tomorrow.” But the atmosphere, the candles on the tables, and music in the background was very romantic. “It is good to not have to cook or work or do anything at all for once.” He reached across and covered her hand with his own.
“I have a surprise.” He smiled and pulled out a small package. The flower was from me but this is from all of the men on the site. They chipped in and told me to buy you something.”
“Really? What a crowd. I just told her a few home truths.”
“The young lads really hate it, and they all relaxed after she went away.” He handed her the little parcel, and she drew out a silver bracelet with the tiny charm in the shape of a horse. “Thought it went along with converting a stable.” He smiled.
“Oh, it is just beautiful. Fasten it on for me.” He reached over and fastened the clasp and then lifted her fingers and kissed them. “I’ll have to manage to get over there in the morning and thank everyone.” They drove back to her place, and she asked if he had enough space for an orange liqueur truffle.
“New batch. Katie is learning to make them.” She made a coffee as he sampled the chocolate, and they found the cats lying stretched out on the sofa.
“I think these are superb, but the pecan marzipan takes a bit of a beating,” he told her as they settled together.
“Thank goodness for Katie. I can leave her tomorrow with packaging to do as I go to see Rula. I’ll come to the stable first and say a thank you.”
He kissed the side of her face and was about to pull her toward him when Crystal and Abigail both looked in the direction of the front door. Magda held up a hand, and he looked in the same direction as the cats. There was a sudden bang on the door, and Sam leaped to his feet followed immediately by Magda. He flung the door wide.
10
There was nothing to be seen but as he rushed to see if anyone was running away, he tripped over a big handbag lying right on the doorstep.
“Good heavens,” he called, jumped over the bag, stumbled a few steps, and regained his balance. Magda had dropped down beside the bag. He stopped her from touching it.
“Might be a booby trap,” he warned, but the bag moved and they both looked at it. There was a little cry and Magda opened the zip.
“My word. It’s kittens.” She picked up the bag and carried it to the kitchen. The two Birmans stalked in with very suspicious stares.
“Somebody has dumped the poor little things," Magda said and picked up the first one. Sam picked up one in each hand and they looked at them. “Three kittens. Look about six weeks old I guess. So tiny. What a shame. I wonder if they will take solid food.” She sat on a chair and let Crystal and Abigail sniff the newcomers. They inspected all three and then went back to snoozing on the sofa.
They closed the door to the living room and set the kittens down. They huddled together and didn’t move anywhere. Magda found an old bed from her own cats and popped the babies into it and then she found some cat food. With a little bit of help they ate some and drank some milk.
“I haven’t anywhere to keep them,” Magda said. “This has got to be hygienic for the truffles and the girls are in the next room. We can’t take them to the pound. They’ll end up being put to sleep.”
“If we can manage a few weeks we can find homes for them. I’m sure Declan would have an extra,” Sam said. He looked at her. “You know I was building an extension to the house. It’s built but there is nothing in it yet. They could stay there.”
“We would have to feed them several times a day,” she answered.
“Well, I could do morning and evening if we can find another two helpers.”
“I can fit in one,” she added. “What about Declan. You could spare him for an hour in the afternoon.” He nodded.
“If you have a spare litter box and food, we could take them there now and try it out.”
She hunted out the things they might need with some blankets, fleeces, and food dishes. They put the kittens back into the bag and piled the other things inside the car. With the handbag on her knee they drove to his house. Being Sam’s, the floodlights came on as they entered the driveway and showed the very modern, long and low bungalow. Inside it was immaculate as usual.
“I had forgotten how house proud you are. Haven’t been here for ages,” she said as he led the way through to the rear extension and then stopped in amazement at the new room. It was double height and shot up to a set of narrow windows. A spiral staircase wound up one side to a set of glass doors, and he told her there was a terrace outside on the roof of the existing house.
“Sam, it is just amazing.” She put down the handbag and wandered around to look at it from different angles. Then she stood on the bottom of the spiral staircase and looked upward. Sam took out his phone and took a picture.
She came to look at the result.
“Better legs than that Loretta,” she observed.
“Better everything,” he added. “That dress is just right for you, and you decorate the staircase beautifully.”
“Let’s get these kittens settled,” she said. Getting back to practicalities, they made up a bed, set up the litter box and left out some water and dry food. They made coffee and sat in his living room waiting to see if the kittens settled into their new surroundings.
“The new room will be the living room, and this one will be made into a huge open-space kitchen and dining area. Then I’ll make some glass doors so that the whole thing can be opened up if I ever wanted to.”
“Fabulous,” she said as she tiptoed over and checked on the cats. “You know, I just realized that these kittens are mostly white with some patches of black. Just another spooky thing.” He looked over her shoulder and noted that
the new feline visitors were looking content.
“Nothing will disturb them here, and if they are eating and drinking, it will work,” she said. “You are going to have to drive me home again—sorry.”
“You are very welcome to stay,” he offered with a smile, but she knew he was just joking. They had one last look at the kittens and then he drove her home. At the front door, he took her in his arms and claimed a good-night kiss.
“I wonder what will happen tomorrow,” she said when he released her lips. “Never a dull moment these days.” She opened the door and he walked back to the car. She watched him drive away and then stood inside the house thinking about where it was all leading.
“Enough, Magda Caraganic,” she told herself. “Lots to do. Get some sleep.”
Crystal woke her in the morning by patting her face with a paw.
“What is it?” Magda asked as her phone emitted a ping. There on the message was a picture of three kittens eating breakfast.
“They seem settled. See you later,” she texted back and swung her legs out of bed.
The next batch of truffle mix was made when Katie arrived, and the trainee set about making the chocolate for them under supervision. As they worked, Magda told her about the kittens dumped on the doorstep.
“Poor little things. We can’t take one because Dad is allergic to them.”
“Ah, that explains it,” Magda said and then realized that the girl did not know about the ghost cat. She had to relate the whole story. “I hope it doesn’t put you off working there,” she finished.
“No, it’s fascinating. I like cats. I wonder if I will see the ghost,” Katie said and went on stirring. “You could make some chocolate-shaped cats to sell,” she added.
“Mmm. Good idea. Don’t even know what to call the place yet,” Magda told her.
“Ghost might put some people off. Magic might bring them in,” Kate suggested.
“Chocolate Magic. I like that. Thanks Katie.” She texted Sam, Rula, and Branston and asked what they thought of the name. Everyone liked it, and Branston said that Merle thought it was good as well.
