‘I didn’t know you were a karaoke fan,’ she said, as she pulled out a couple of ancient geography books predating the current world map by several decades.
‘Only in the comfort of my own shower,’ said Theo.
Effie was suddenly beset by visions of Theo in the buff in extremely steamy environs and, goodness, was the air conditioning not working in here?
Of course not, Effie, it’s jacket weather outside.
‘Right. The acoustics,’ she added awkwardly.
‘A clawfoot tub just doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to hit those high notes.’ There was a thud as Theo plopped a heavy tome down on his stack of weeded books.
‘So,’ said Effie, trying to change the conversation away from Theo’s naked body, ‘how have you been finding Yellowbrick Grove? Is it feeling like home yet?’
‘It’s quaint,’ said Theo. ‘I’ve been doing the walking tour with the app.’
‘Really?’ Effie puffed with pride as she considered a book about Venn diagrams calledStuck in the Middle with You. Its pages were falling out. ‘That was one of my initiatives. We put it together last year. The StoryWalk is this year’s.’
Theo’s head popped up over the stack next to Effie’s. He wavedFrogs Are My Favesat her. ‘The StoryWalk! This is perfect for the StoryWalk!’
Effie couldn’t help but laugh. Itwasadorable. And if it was by a local author, all the better.
‘We’d have to get the rights, though.’ She pulled out a sad volume about rabbit psychology. ‘We’d need a way to get in touch with the author.’
‘Careful, I hear little kids charge a fortune for StoryWalk rights.’ Theo was browsing the culinary section, which held all sorts of weedable wonders. He held up a recipe book showcasing the wonders of savoury jelly desserts. ‘This isn’t on my list, but for the safety of your readers, I think we should weed it.’
‘But that’s a local favourite,’ said Effie. ‘I’m surprised it’s not checked out.’
Theo blanched. ‘Please tell me you’re joking. Nope, I just saw the docket at the back. You’re right. Endless due date stamps. If this is the type of food the town appreciates, no wonder I haven’t been able to find decent sushi.’
‘I absolutely would not risk the local sushi. We do have a great Ph?place, though.’
Theo raised his eyebrows, impressed. ‘I could go for some Ph?. Or a banh mi.’
‘They do a great one. The bread’s so sharp it cuts your mouth.’
‘Shall we?’
Effie turned, confused. ‘Shall we what?’
‘Grab something more substantial than congealing pizza and flat soda?’
She tapped her list, which she was only halfway through. ‘But we’re weeding.’
Theo regarded her for a moment, then gathered his stack of books.
‘We are indeed,’ he said quietly.
He returned to his list, and Effie did as well, poring over the stacks as she searched out the seemingly endless selection of books on her list.
As she worked, the music on the record player appeared to increase in volume, until every note seemed to blare with nerve-jangling amplification. She wondered whether it might be the fault of the ghost, but as she crept over to the record player to adjust the volume dial, she realized that the seeming crescendo was actually due to the fact that Theo’s easy banter had subsided entirely.
The next book on Effie’s list was calledSigns You’re Doing It Wrong.She sighed. Maybe she should give it a read before weeding it.
Chapter 20
IN THIS HOUSE WE BELIEVE IN MAGIC
Bonnie
