Free Seeing Stars by Christina Jones

Quickly” cakes or something.’
    ‘Just say the word.’
    Zillah’s dark eyebrows shot upwards as rapidly as a pair of homesick angels. ‘No way! I was only joking. I had enough dabbling
     with that sort of thing in my hippie youth in the seventies, thank you very much. And anyway, you know I don’t believe in
     all that hokum.’
    ‘Oh no,’ Mitzi smiled, ‘that’s right. I forgot. Being a Fiddlesticker you only believe in the stars granting wishes and the
     moon making magic, don’t you?’
    ‘I don’t believe in any darn magic. Like luck, you have to make it for yourself. There aren’t any herbs or sprites or incantations
     that can give me what I want. I gave up wishing and hoping a long time ago … Oh, don’t take any notice of me. Most of the
     time life is rosy. I’m just a misery at the moment.’
    ‘Any particular reason?’
    Zillah decided that Mitzi really didn’t want to hear about her nebulous worries over Amber’s arrival in the village. ‘Not
     really. Nothing important. Just something that’s cropped up that reminds me of mistakes I made a long time ago really … Sort
     of afraid of history repeating itself … Brought back things I’d rather forget. Just silly stuff.’
    Mitzi looked concerned. ‘Want to talk about it? Properly, I mean. A girls’ night out sometime?’
    ‘Maybe,’ Zillah nodded. ‘Yes, that’d be nice – although I’d probably bore you to tears because what I said earlier is true.
     I’ve spent most of my adult life wanting something I can’t have – and nothing you could concoct, or calling on all the celestial
     goddesses at the same time, can make it happen. One day I’ll simply accept that this is all there is to the rest of my life
     and make the best of a bad job.’
    ‘And would that include accepting Timmy’s proposal?’
    ‘Probably.’

    ‘Then don’t.’ Mitzi finished her drink and placed the glass on the counter. ‘Don’t ever settle for second-best. It’ll never
     be good enough. And not fair to either of you.’
    ‘We can’t all be as lucky as you.’
    ‘Luck had sod all to do with it,’ Mitzi said robustly, sliding from the bar stool. ‘As you just pointed out – we make our
     own luck. However, magic – now that’s a different thing all together. Just say the word my dear, and I’ll fetch me cauldron
     round and me pointy ’at and me magic wand and a few toads and newts and—’
    ‘Get out, you daft bat!’ Zillah laughed, chucking a bar towel at Mitzi.
    Mitzi stooped to pick up the towel and chucked it back. It missed Zillah and draped itself artistically round the Andromeda
     Ale pump.
    They both shrieked with laughter.
    ‘Girls, girls …’ Timmy stuck his head out of the kitchen door. ‘What unseemly behaviour! Remember, neither of you will see
     your first half century again …’
    ‘Bugger off, Timmy,’ Mitzi said cheerfully. ‘At least we’re young at heart – and we’ve both still got all our hair.’
    ‘Ouch,’ Timmy grinned. ‘I must remember to tell that man of yours tonight that he’s got himself involved with a very cruel
     and heartless woman.’
    ‘He’d never believe you,’ Mitzi smiled. ‘And we’re not going to be here tonight. Joel’s taking me to dinner in Cookham Dene.
     It’s our anniversary.’
    ‘Is it?’ Zillah restored the bar towel to its rightful place. ‘I thought you two only met in autumn last year?’
    ‘Oh, we did. It’s not that sort of anniversary … Far more intimate … See you …’
    Zillah watched as Mitzi practically undulated out of The Weasel and Bucket’s door. Lucky, lucky cow, she thought wistfully.
    ‘Want to come and inspect the food?’ Timmy asked, patting her hand. ‘The cake is out of this world.’
    ‘OK.’ Zillah gently removed her hand from his. ‘Whynot? I might even gorge myself on a huge chunk tonight and do a bit of moon-wishing.’
    ‘You don’t need to,’ Timmy looked at her. ‘Say the word, Zil, and I’d make all your