“What’s nefarious?’ ‘I don’t know, but my grandma accuses me of having them when she thinks I done something bad and it sounds good.”

“But I’ve kept first of March as my birthday as I like to tease Zed about dating an older woman. And my parents wouldn’t understand if I told them about the soulfinder bond and tried to change it.”“They don’t know?”“Well, I think they’ve picked up that there’s something special between Zed and me but I’m not sure how I’d even start to explain to non-savants. I was exactly overjoyed when Zed filled me in about it all the first time.”“What did you do?”“Thumped him with a shopping bag and told him he was a jerk.”“Ouch.”

“Oh my gosh, don’t you both look pretty!” We looked like rejects from the auditions for The Sound of Music.“I will have to buy them – they are meant to be yours!” Karla waved her credit card around like a wand.“What a shame they didn’t have one in green for me. But then, it is a young girl’s style. I would’ve looked foolish.”

“I wasn’t sure, but I thought it kind of suited me. With the right shoes and everything.” I displayed the new blue pumps. “I wanted to look, you know, pretty.”Yves gaped. I felt a little bit sorry for him. “Um…Phee, I don’t know what to say.” I let my bright expression dim. “You… you think I look horrible in it?” My voice rose in a convincing squeak of distress.He put his hands on my soulders. “No, you look great. You always look great, no matter what you’re wearing.”Zed laughed. “Ouch. Wrong thing to say.”

“Follow me. Yves held out a hand, expecting me to take it.I had had enough of being pushed about, towed here,shoved there. Lead the way, O master.He raised an eyebrow at my sarcasm. Glad to see youhave seen the light. I only want what’s best for you.Mr Arrogant or what?I don’t mean it like that. He shook his head, tellinghimself off. I just want to make this right but I seem to bedoing it all wrong.Then let me go.That would be a tragedy. Give me a chance here.Please.”

“I revised my opinion that the girl was timid. She appeared to have her giant well under control and a disturbing ability to know what I was feeling.”

“Excuse me, Mr Tall-and-Good-looking Wolfman, but can you help the English midget reach the sauce?’ I think not.”