We never got the chance to finish our conversation, and that was fine with me.

Ruby had returned and we spent some time going over the process of online ordering in the office, which meant that Justina had to show me how to do it. Yay.

It didn’t take too long, but Justina only spoke to me when she had to, making everything super-awkward.

Knock-off time was a huge relief and I couldn’t wait to go home — well, to Waratah Estate.

So when I’d walked into my room and Victoria had knocked on my door frame, I’d invited them in. It was nice to talk to them both. Victoria was reserved and always felt the need to apologize. I wanted to get her to kick that habit.

Jemma spotted my mobile phone on the bedside table and rushed over to take a closer look.

“Oooh!” She jumped up and down. “Can I see your magic telephone?”

“Magic telephone?”

Her smile was infectious. “Yes. It doesn’t have any wires and you can see tiny pictures on it. It’s magic.”

“Oh, okay. It might seem like magic, but it runs on electricity like the phones that you know, but it uses a battery. We’ve now found a way to send the signals for the phone call through the air like radio. Do you know what a radio is?”

She nodded vigorously. “Yes. We used to sit around the radio and listen to stories and Daddy used to listen to the news of the whole wide world.”

I nodded too. “Yeah, so it’s sort of like that, but the person on the other end can hear you and you can have a conversation with them.”

“That’s bonza! But how does it work? There’s no buttons and no place to talk and no ear thing to listen with.”

I tried my best to explain how it all worked and could tell she was dying to try it, but when she put a finger near the screen, the image became pixelated, so I pulled the phone away. We thought it would be better if she didn’t touch it, just in case. A new phone was something I didn’t have the money for at the moment.

Victoria put out a hand to Jemma. “I think maybe we should leave Miss Maddie in peace now. Come on Jemma.”

Jemma’s face dropped, but she said goodbye and took her mother’s hand. “Thank you, Miss Maddie.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“That’s okay.” I waved to them both. “Have a good night.”

As soon as they vanished through the door, my “magic telephone” started ringing.

My stomach dropped at the thought that it might be Mum calling, and I scolded myself. I shouldn’t be feeling like that when my own mother called me.

I was surprised to see that it was Alina. “Hi, Alina. How are you?”

“I’m great! I’ve been looking at a house for rent in Angel Falls and I’m hoping that they will accept my application.”

“What? Really? I didn’t think you were that serious.”

“I told you I wanted to move out there.”

“Yes, but…” What was I doing? Why was I feeling guilty? I gave myself a mental slap. “That’s actually great news. I can’t wait.”

“Me neither. I just fell in love with the town, and the waterfall is fantastic. Plus, I miss you. We’ll be able to do stuff together when we’re not working. It will be awesome.”

I was sitting on my bed grinning like an idiot, but I was genuinely happy. I hadn’t realised how much I missed seeing Alina nearly every day.

“You’re right. It is going to be awesome.”

“It will be like old times.”

We talked for a while and she told me all about the house. Two bedrooms. One each. We could share the bills. It would be good. When I was ready.

I tried to imagine it. The image I’d had in my mind the last time she’d suggested we live together became more vivid. More real. I pictured a housewarming party. Nights spent eating popcorn or Maltesers, watching movies and having fun.

I could see it, but then I thought of Mum sitting home alone right now and the image dissolved into nothingness. I just couldn’t do it. She needed me. I had to hurry up and get this training over with and get back home.

Alina could hear the change in my voice. She knew what I was thinking.

“It’s okay. You’re not ready yet. I know. It’s all good.”

And that only made me feel guilty for disappointing her. This sucked. I wanted to stomp my foot or something equally childish.

After telling me the latest gossip about the trolley boy and one of the checkout chicks, we decided to call it a night. She had to work tomorrow. I had a short shift, then a magic lesson, but I only mentioned the work shift.

I wished I could tell her everything that had happened to me. The rules forbidding me from telling any Normals about magic were frustrating, even though I knew they were there to protect us. But this was Alina. I could trust her. She wouldn’t tell anyone.

I guessed that it wouldn’t matter to the Descendants and the Guild. I would still be in deep trouble for blabbing.

We said our goodbyes and as soon as I hung up, a yawn escaped me.

I made myself get up and get ready for bed, and just as I walked in from the bathroom carrying my toothbrush and toothpaste, my phone rang again. Who could be calling at this hour? What could they want? Was something wrong?

When I saw Mum’s number, panic started to trickle through my veins. There must have been something wrong to be calling this late.

“Mum? Are you okay? Is everything alright?”