Chapter Thirty

On a bright April day in Norfolk, the Society meets at Nowhere House for a rare, expanded gathering. Mika has won over both Primrose and Jamie to hold an inclusive meeting—open to witches and the trusted people who love them—by arguing the wards must be recast and she needs help.

Jamie’s resistance centers on strangers invading the space he protects. He finally agrees when Mika commits to opening her magical tea and potion shop. Mika and Ian convert the barn, launch a website, and sell out the first batch, obliging Jamie to host the unprecedented event.

The garden becomes a lively celebration as witches arrive with family and partners. Belinda Nkala comes with her brother and cheesecake; Hilda brings her aunts, cousins, cat, and wife; even Agatha Jones appears with an elderly beau. The children revel in attention: Altamira basks in adult fussing, Rosetta idolizes Belinda, and Terracotta demonstrates animation spells, while Lucie and Ian run the buffet and Ken chats football.

Inside, Jamie hides in the library to avoid scrutiny. Mika coaxes him with affection, teasing him about his aversion to people and Austen-worthy “swoony words.” As she leaves, Jamie stops her with, “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more,” and agrees to come outside.

Together they rejoin the crowd. Primrose appraises Jamie, Hilda befriends him, and Altamira swings from his arm. The day feels complete to Mika: the wards are renewed, the shop is thriving, and community is real. She accepts she won’t transform the world, but she will make it better in small, enduring ways, surrounded by a family she once thought impossible.