The Ondine Collection

by Ebony McKenna

  “For sandals or boots?”

  Boggling, Ondine tried not to show contempt for the question. “Probably a box big enough for boots, because it took Vincent two hands to carry it.”

  “So you’re telling me Lord Vincent, the heir to the Duchy of Brugel, is stealing boots?”

  Her eyes rolled all on their own. “No. He stole something that could fit in a box that would be large enough for boots.”

  “So you don’t actually know what was in the box in the first place?”

  Deflated. “I don’t have x-ray vision. But why else would you go to all that trouble to steal a box from a chimney, in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter?”

  The police officer looked at her and shrugged. “Unless you can tell us what was in the box, we don’t really have much to go on.”

  There was no point learning the officers’ names because Ondine had the sinking feeling she would never see them again. Their attitude didn’t match the importance of the crime. Squashing down her frustration, she said, “Officer, I saw two people: Mrs. Birgit Howser and Lord Vincent. They also saw me. So even if I’m not sure what they stole at the very least they should be charged with trespassing.”

  “Duly noted. Thank you for your statements. Unfortunately, we can’t prioritise this case.”

  “Why not?” Ondine bristled.

  “If you’ve been paying attention to the news, it’s a really bad ‘flu season. All units have been called in to assist in hospital waiting rooms, what with people making threats to staff. That takes a higher priority to trespassing on a roof. We’ll be in touch if we have anything further.”

  They would so not ‘be in touch’, Ondine thought. Then another horrible thought landed. Police needed at hospitals? She hadn’t heard anything about the ‘flu ... unless it was . . . “Do you mean the mutating magic?”

  “Do you know something about that?” The other officer asked.

  Ondine clamped her mouth shut and shook her head.

  AS THE AFTERNOON WORE on, things went badly wrong. Customers sent their meals back, barely touched. As the week wore on, things became dire. And not just because Ondine missed Hamish as if her heart had stopped working.

  “Is everything all right?” Ondine asked as she took a diner’s plate. They had shifted the food around but barely eaten a mouthful.

  “Yes, it was fine, I just couldn’t get through it,” he said.

  “I can get you something else if you’d rather?”

  “No, truly, it was delicious. The serving was too big.”

  The rest of the customers on the table nodded.

  “OK,” Ondine said, taking his word for it.

  Inside her head, a small light began to beam. If the customers weren’t licking their plates clean, they weren’t starving from using magic they might or might not know they had. This could mean the mutating magic was wearing off. Which lead her to the next step in this logic ladder – that she and Hamish could be together again.

  She took the uneaten meals back to the kitchen. “They’re saying they’re not hungry enough.”

  Chef and Cybelle exchanged worried looks.

  Ma bustled over and tasted an untouched portion of the food herself. “It’s perfectly good.”

  “We know that.” Hope lit a match inside Ondine. “It’s a good sign, isn’t it? The magic must be wearing off.”

  Ignoring her discovery, Cybelle picked up a fork and had a taste, also from an untouched section. Because eating something with somebody else’s saliva? Eww! “It’s a crying shame to send back food this good. What’s wrong with them?”

  Ma tasted the trout from another quarter-eaten plate. Her eyebrows clamped together and she made a soft groan. “That. Is. Divine.” She had another mouthful and made little noises of pleasure.

  “Of course it is. Was in the tank only an hour ago,” Chef said.

  Ma finished another mouthful. “Belle darling would you pop that in the fridge so I can have the rest later? At least we know there’s nothing wrong with the food. Should we cut back on the bread rolls on the table? Have smaller servings?”

  Cybelle and Henrik set the next order onto plates. Steam rose from the vegetables as Cybelle handed them over. “Table five is ready.”

  Da came in with the takings from another table. “They paid at the bar. Said they had to leave early. Didn’t even leave a tip.”

  That really crushed the mood. Magic wearing off was one thing, but people not leaving a tip? It was downright miserable.

  Ondine said, “If Hamish were here, we’d have better tips.”

  “Don’t make me roll my eyes, dear,” Ma said.

  “I said table five is ready,” Cybelle said.

  “Oh! Sorry!” Ondine picked up a tea towel and grabbed one hot plate, balanced the second on her forearm and picked up the third in her free hand. As she walked towards table five, her heart sank.

  They’d gone.

  Confusion made knots in her tummy. Back in the kitchen she double-checked the order with Ma and Cybelle.

  “Definitely table five. Four adults and two teenagers,” Ma said.

  “Not any more. They left,” Ondine said. “Has anyone else ordered the same meals Belle? I could take these out to them.”

  “Pop them in the bain marie while I check.”

  Henrik rubbed his temple. “This is seriously weird. Did they see the police and run off or something?”

  “Ma? Can I talk to you for a minute?” Ondine thought of a plausible reason and it always came back to her one true love. “This never used to happen when Hamish was here.”

  “Oh Ondi, we all miss him. But I doubt even Hamish could help if people don’t want to eat at all.”

  It was worth a try. “Something is really wrong though. People don’t leave three quarters of their lunch. And they don’t leave before it even gets to the table. There’s something else going on, there must be.”

  “We’re having a bad day, that’s all.”

  “Ma, come on. This is beyond bad. This is . . .” a light bulb went off in her head, “Mrs. Howser must have put a spell on us!”

  Ma’s shoulders slumped. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

  Ondine jumped in with, “Then we must get Hamish back.”

  “That’s all you can think about, isn’t it?” It was Ma’s turn to roll her eyes. “Sweetheart, I know you miss him, but I think you’re clutching at –”

  “Ma please! We never used to have half-eaten plates when Hamish was here. And if Mrs. Howser has put a spell on us, then surely when Hamish comes back, he can help fix it.”

  With less to do than usual, Henrik took a moment to turn up the volume on the TV. More traffic snarls and jammed intersections, and now the trains weren’t running because of too much snow.

  “We get snow every winter, why is this year different to any other?” a frustrated commuter complained to the camera.

  “Woot! I can’t get to work, so it’s a day off for me!” another said, looking really happy.

  “No school tomorrow.” A student beamed. “Snow day, yeah!”

  “I blame the Duchess. Too busy throwing parties to get the trains running on time.”

  Ondine put it all together. “Ma, people have been wishing for snow so they don’t have to go to work?”

  “That’s a no-brainer darling,” Ma said.

  “Yes, but think about it? Hamish and I are nowhere near them, and their wishes are still coming true.”

  “Ye-es, I thought we’d gone over this?” Ma’s brow creased.

  “Yes but,” Ondine had to slow her brain down so that she didn’t trip over herself, “bad traffic, no trains? The magic is out there anyway and we can’t stop it. Meanwhile, people don’t realise they’re wishing for bad things that stuff the place up. Everyone’s going to blame Anathea and it’s not her fault. She’s going to become even less popular! Unless Hamish and I can fix it, Anathea’s polls will nosedive and Vincent will take over! And he’ll probably have Mrs. Howser as his clo
sest advisor. But if Hamish and I are together, we can use Mrs. Howser’s magic against her and make everything better in Brugel.” Great Pluto’s Ghost, she’d never felt so clever for working it all out.

  “Heavens girl, I know you want to be with him but we can’t have people growing tails and causing even more craziness.”

  “Whoa!” Chef yelped as he pulled a trout from the tank. “We’ve got a live one!” The fish put up a fight, slipping from his hands and flip-flopping on the kitchen bench. For a bizarre moment, the fish flexed so high it was practically standing on its tail fin.

  “Well I’ll be. There’s a fish dancing on the table,” Ma said.

  Ondine cried out, “Woo hoo! Does that mean I’m not grounded anymore!”

  “Don’t try to take advantage of me when I’m confused,” Ma said, her eyes round as she watched the flipping fish.

  “But Ma! You said!” Ondine felt desperate.

  “Maybe.”

  A “maybe” was better than a “no”, but not as solid as a “yes”. It gave Ondine hope.

  Down the end of the kitchen, Da rolled his sleeves up and began washing dishes.

  “Why aren’t you at the bar, love?” Ma asked.

  “They’ve all gone home.”

  Meanwhile, from the TV, everyday people complained to the reporters about how hard life was. Everyone kept shooting the blame home to Duchess Anathea.

  Ondine and Ma looked at each other, then Ma said, “I think you’re right, Ondi. We might need Hamish back.”

  Mercury’s wings! She was glad to hear those words. How hard did she squeeze Ma in delight and relief? No idea, but when she let go Ma almost passed out.

  “Sorry. Got a bit carried away.”

  Everyone turned as two new arrivals walked into the kitchen. They were tanned and glowing and happy. Everything Ondine wasn’t.

  “Darlings!” Ma called out at the sight of Marguerite and Thomas. She embraced them in a three-way squish.

  “It’s so quiet out there, I’ve never seen the like,” Marguerite said when Ma eventually let go of her.

  “You both look wonderful!” Ma gushed. “I told you the Sun Bubble Resort would agree with you.” [251]

  “Mrs. Howser’s put a spell on us.” Ondine said.

  Marguerite’s eyebrows disappeared under her fringe as she turned on her mother. “You still haven’t paid the Psychic Summercamp fees?”

  “I’ll fill you in later. It’s lovely to see you.” Ma gave them another hug. “I’m glad it’s quiet out there, you can tell me all about your travels. I love your outfits, I love the colours on your poncho!”

  “It’s the latest in Sleag-Mex,” Margi said.

  Da walked up and embraced Margi, then gave Thomas a handshake before pulling him into a hug as well. “Welcome home, kids.”

  A snort escaped Ondine. Margi and Thomas were married adults, but Da would always see them as children. They should consider themselves lucky because at least they weren’t the “baby”.

  ​Her parents, sister and brother-in-law vanished into the sitting room in a blur of hugs and giggles and luggage, leaving Ondine feeling empty and left out.

  And irritated that she’d lost yet one more chance to ask Ma about when Hamish could come back.

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  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The next morning, still no sign of Hamish. Where was he? Surely if her mother had said he could come back, she’d have passed on the message to wherever he was and he’d be here like a shot.

  At least he should be!

  He’d better want to be!

  The rest of the family was huddled around the table in their private room behind the kitchen, passing around honeymoon photographs from the Black Sea. In each photo either Marguerite or Thomas smiled out at them. Sometimes it was both of them at a strange angle, as they’d put the camera on the edge of a banister or tree branch to get a couple-shot. [252]

  ​The photos were so sweet. Smiling faces in every one of them. A spike of jealousy caught Ondine. Her sister had the freedom to be with the man of her choice. And she’d taken a holiday with him. Jupiter’s moons! When was the last time she’d had a break? Never!

  So absorbed in holding her emotions in check and making the right kind of happy noises as she looked at each photo, Ondine didn’t hear Great-Aunt Col walk in.

  “Margi, you’re positively glowing. Marriage suits you. Oh goodie, I do so love photos; let me have a look,” Old Col said.

  Joy flooded Ondine’s system. If Old Col was here, surely that meant . . . ?

  “Hello Ondine dear, Colette’s filled me in on everything.”

  Nodding, Ondine tried to smile at her great-aunt, but she was far too interested in who could be behind her.

  “You’re distracted by something.” Old Col giggled as stepped closer to Ondine. “Give me a kiss dear.”

  Huh? Mechanically, Ondine kissed her great-auntie’s cheek, but her gaze stayed locked on the door she’d walked through, her heart kicking against her ribs in anticipation.

  The man of her dreams walked in, lugging an old suitcase behind him.

  “Hamish!” She nudged Old Col aside to throw herself at him.

  Hamish dropped the case and wrapped his arms around Ondine, holding her close. It felt beyond wonderful to be with him again. A gulping sob racked her body as she clung to him.

  “Ach, dry yer eyes,” he said.

  Pulling back, she wiped her face with her sleeve and said, “Where have you been? I think your hair’s grown. Has Col been feeding you? Are you OK? Where did Col keep you?”

  “Col was doin’ her best tae help with tha curse, lass. Dry yer eyes, I want tae see yer smiling face.”

  “Nope.”

  “Awww. Then cry all ye want, but ye’ll have tae give me a proper kiss sooner or later.”

  “Gladly!” Ondine wiped her face with her sleeve again and planted a kiss on him. Within the bounds of propriety with her entire family watching.

  Immediately the phone rang. Ma raced to pick it up.

  “Thank you, Ondine.” Margi suddenly wrapped them in a three-way hug. “I needed an album to put all these beautiful photos in!”

  Confused, Ondine turned to see that the pile of photos that used to be all over the table were now lovingly arranged in display books. She scratched her head and said, “You’re scrapbooking?”

  “It’s a legitimate craft!” Margi shot back.

  Ma came bouncing back in, clapping her hands. “Twelve more for dinner tonight. Thank heavens you’re back, Hamish!”

  That’s when Ondine noticed the clock on the wall sporting thirteen numbers. “Did anyone wish for more time in the day?”

  Henrik raised his hand.

  “Best we wish that one back I think,” Ma said. “No knowing how far that wish might go.”

  Good point. Ah well, if it meant kissing Hamish again, Ondine would do it.

  For Brugel!

  “Get a room you two!” Belle said.

  “Leave the door open,” Ma said.

  “Wide open!” Da said.

  Henrik snorted with laughter as heat raced up Ondine’s neck. Da glared at Henrik so the chef pretended it was a sneeze.

  *** ​

  How wonderful to be back in Hamish’s arms. A pile of homework beckoned once they reached Ondine’s room. She’d get to it, eventually, but first she recharged her emotional batteries with a warm cuddle with Hamish by the window.

  He rubbed her back as she gazed out across the street. The Asian restaurant, On the Fang, must have recovered from their immigration raid because people were queuing up on the footpath to get in. They had to be serving seriously good food to warrant such a wait in the snow. Not that Henrik was any slouch, his meals were incredible.

  Phone ringing sounds echoed up the stairs. That had to be the result of Ma wishing they were booked out every night. This respite fro
m frantic work might be their last in a while.

  Ondine kissed Hamish and could have sworn her heart grew to twice its size. How she’d missed his warm lips, they way they melded with hers so perfectly, as if they were made for each other. The way they parted and made her sigh with pleasure. The way his tongue teased hers and made things explode in her head.

  Utter, utter bliss.

  Such beautiful kisses. The more she took, the more she wanted.

  The more she thought about them, the more her head turned to mush and weird sensations took over. The way her head felt lighter but her body felt heavier. The excitement in the way he responded to her, safe in the knowledge they couldn’t go very far with the door open.

  Hamish pulled back from the kisses, making them shorter, just like his breathing. They were both smiling so much it was difficult to kiss properly. It didn’t matter as Hamish held Ondine close and caressed her cheek.

  “Aye, this is magic.”

  Placing her palm to his chest, Ondine felt his heart thumping and had to agree this moment was the most magical of her life. Plus he kept smiling at her, which turned her brain to mush and made her heart race. The soft touches against her cheek, the way he tucked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear.

  “Were you all right, all this time? I was so worried about you,” Ondine asked.

  “Och, I havetae admit, when those folks turned up wearing radiation suits, I thought I was off tae a laboratory or such like.”

  His accent sounded so thick, on account of not hearing it for a so long.

  “But I was at yer auntie’s all this time. She was making me take potions and lotions, all so she could work out what other spells I could be under.”

  “Oh you poor darling!” Ondine kissed him afresh.

  “What rot!” Auntie Col said as she passed the open doorway, “You slept most of the time.”

  Hamish pulled away and defended himself against the witch’s accusation. “Aye, because ye made me intae a ferret most of the time.” He resumed kissing Ondine, making up for lost time.

  A warping, buzzing noise filled Ondine’s body like electricity shorting out.

  No, not her body. The electricity really had gone off.

  Across the street, Fang’s neon dragon blinked out. On the corner, the traffic lights blinked amber. A train departing from the station stopped before it reached the crossing. In the distance they heard a car screech.