But at least the newspapers were back to publishing on time – even Madame Destinée was back in fine, sardonic form. When Effie had mentioned this, Bowow had winked, but said nothing more.
A few dozen people had turned out for the StoryWalk opening, which was nothugeby any means, but certainly wasn’t an insignificant number in a town of only a few thousand permanent residents. And a StoryWalk launch wasn’t exactly Touch-a-Firetruck or the read-a-thon, which were renowned as two of the library’s biggest summer events. (The read-a-thon wrapped up with a splash-pad party, something that even Bonnie showed up for.)
Effie smiled as she saw Bonnie’s trio of friends there, and Tessa as well, looking as though she’d come straight fromyoga with Alana. Kirsty was livestreaming for her TikTok, and Hannah was snapping pictures to add to her ‘Perks of Living in Yellowbrick Grove’ page on her realtor’s website.
‘Every extra photo drives buyer interest,’ she confided.
Even Bonnie had shown up, looking her usual glam self as she’d stepped, together with Bobby, out of her Cadillac, which after some accounting advice from Tessa she’d finally paid off. Effie hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her sister’s impeccably put-together outfits and perfectly waved hair. (Effie had finally relaxed the hex she’d placed on Bonnie’s room.) It was only when something was gone that you truly realized how much you needed it there.
Like Mom, she thought. Mom, whose favourite place was right here, and who could now readFrogs Are My Favesevery time she needed to stretch her ghostly legs.
‘I called around during my morning run with Bernard,’ Theo told her as he waved to the crowd. ‘Went door to door across every house on the street.’
Effie smiled. Of course he had. Theo might not have magic like hers, but he had a particular knack for making people feel at ease. And apparently for getting them to attend community events on a whim. Although having a cute dog probably helped.
‘And I grabbed anyone I encountered on the way here,’ said Bonnie. ‘Turns out I can fit seven people in my car. Eight, if someone rides in the trunk. Even though I promised to stop doing that after that whole quarry-diving incident in junior high.’
But Effie had stopped listening. Her attention was on the wild-haired, kaftan-clad woman holding the framed photograph of Lyra that usually lived on the library circulation desk. Sabine. Sabine, with the warmth and recognition in her eyes that had been absent just days before thanks to the machinations of Uncle Oswald. Tears welled in Effie’s eyes as Mom’s warm hazel ones, just like Effie’s, smiled back at her.
‘Let’s get on with it,’ said Effie, at last.
With Theo’s help, she cut the ribbon using a huge set of shears she’d borrowed from Freddie Noonan, who had passionately recommitted to returning his lawn to its rightful state. Freddie, who’d come straight from working his garden, waved a weed puller in a garden-gloved hand.
‘I hope you all enjoyFrogs Are My Favesevery time you stroll through here,’ she called.
‘Or rollerblade,’ added Theo, with a wink.
Effie folded her arms. ‘You keep saying that, but really, how did you know about that?’
Theo tucked Effie’s lock of white hair behind her ear. ‘I happened to look out my window during the witching hour one fateful night a few weeks back.’
Effie covered her eyes in shame. He’d seen the near-butt plant and all, and still wanted to be associated with her. There was something seriously wrong with Theo, but just this once she wasn’t going to question it.
‘Sorry, sis,’ said Bonnie, who’d wasted no time at all in winning back her famous smirk. ‘I for one am done with the forgetting spells. You’re going to have to own the whole roller-skating thing. Maybe it’s something the two of you can do together. Like Barbie and Ken.’
Effie went to protest, but then gave up. Maybe Bonnie was right. Maybe Barbie and Ken weren’t so bad after all. And besides, there was something flattering about having your ridiculously popular sister decide thatyouwere Barbie.
Bobby put his hand around Bonnie’s waist. ‘I’m game to try roller-skating if you are.’
‘Try?’ scoffed Bonnie. ‘Are you forgetting my roller derby obsession back in eighth grade? Wrists were snapped. Teeth were broken. None of them mine. You’ll be eating my dust.’
‘And yet,’ said Bobby, ‘I’m still game.’
‘All right,’ called Sabine. ‘Are we walking this StoryWalk, or what?’
Water bottles at the ready and shoes laced, the group of townsfolk strolled the sixteen stations that showcased each spread of the cheerful picture book, chuckling at the crayon art and the effusive text. As they walked, the sun broke out from the clouds draping the sky, casting a rainbow that seemed to run from one end of the StoryWalk to the other.
‘Magical,’ whispered Sabine, looping her arm through Effie’s.
‘I think Mom’s looking down on us,’ Effie whispered back.
‘I think she always has been,’ said Bonnie, her smile sparkling as she drank in the spangled colours of the rainbow’s arch.
‘Is it rude to walk five abreast?’ asked Theo, who’d commandeered Effie’s other arm.
‘Only if there are cyclists,’ decided Bobby. ‘Or someone making business deals on the phone while power-walking.’
‘In that case, human chain, here we come,’ said Effie.
