Threads

Chapter Twelve- Part 1

            Isabella shoved a steaming mug at the next person in line. “Here you go.” She directed her gaze back to Alice. “I heard you ran into some trouble last night.”

            “You heard already?” Alice frowned. The plump woman nodded her head at the next customer’s order and the tall Wizard grumbled about not getting Isabella’s full attention.

            “News travels fast,” Isabella said cheerfully, and produced a buttered scone for the grumpy man.

“My coffee,” he muttered at her.

            “Coming up,” Isabella told him. “Don’t get your knickers in a twist.”

            Alice smothered a laugh behind the sleeve of her sweater as the tall Wizard huffed indignantly. Isabella shooed him away and smiled at Alice.

“You made quite a sensation.”

            It had been foolish to create a scene at a nightclub that was so central to New York’s magical community. On the other hand, what choice did she have? Let the men kill him, just to avoid being the subject of gossip? Isabella was looking at her expectantly.

            “Oh, A…nutmeg latte, please. Isabella, what exactly are they saying?” Alice kept her voice low. “I mean…bad things? I don’t want to make a negative impression…”

Isabella laughed. “Oh no, dear. Nobody blames you! Really, you did the noble thing.” She handed Alice the steaming latte. “Enjoy your drink, love.”

            “Thank you.” Alice turned to find an empty seat. She picked a spot by the window, watching people walk past. She warmed her hands on the mug, lost in thought, her novel lying untouched.  Jason was apparently trying to get a hold of her. She glanced at her phone, the screen stared back blankly.  If he called again, would she pick it up? What on earth could he want?  He can’t possibly think I would take him back! That made her mad too, and she sipped her latte, telling herself to concentrate on how delicious the spicy flavour was.

Alice sighed and finished her drink, waving to Isabella as she made her way out.  She paused on the side walk for a moment, and happened to overhear a couple of Witches walking past.  

            “Have you been into that new shop Threads?”  The tall brunette Witch stopped and looked across the street at the shop.

Her companion, a rotund woman with soft brown curls and glasses said, “I haven’t been in yet. I hear it’s quaint. Isn’t that run by that Alice Cunningham woman?”

            “Yes, bit of a buzz about that one isn’t there?  I hear she made quite a scene last night.”

            “Really?” The plump Witch said eagerly. “I haven’t heard yet. Do tell.”

            Alice slowed down, trying not to look like she was listening in.

            “Apparently she made an appearance at Rapture last night.  Some guy was being dragged out by a couple thugs and she stopped them from killing him.”

            “Wow, how do you know this if it just happened last night?”

            “My friend is a bartender. He was right there when it happened.”

            “That’s crazy. I wish I had been there. I wonder why she bothered to stop them.”

            “My friend said she marked the guy. That’s how the other guys found him so easily.  Apparently she told them she didn’t want his blood on her hands.”