Free Aberystwyth Mon Amour by Malcolm Pryce

rune composition made the time until 4 o’clock seem like a life sentence.
    ‘She used to translate for the County,’ Myfanwy added.
    I smiled at Mrs Evans but she waved the compliment aside.
    ‘Or if someone can’t sleep,’ she continued, taking care not to overlook any piece of evidence against her, ‘well I know a few herbs which can be useful there, too, don’t I?’
    ‘And they call you a witch just for that!’ scoffed Myfanwy.
    ‘And there’s the love potions, of course, and the Saturday mornings at the Witches’ Co-op. But only on the till.’
    Myfanwy scoffed again. ‘No different from working in the sweet shop. Mrs Abergynolwen works on the till on Wednesdays, too.’
    Ma Evans spat in contempt. ‘Mrs Abergynolwen! She doesn’t know her mandragora from her henbane!’
    ‘Anyway,’ said Myfanwy soothingly, ‘you shouldn’t let them call you a witch. I’d put a spell on them if I were you.’
    ‘Oh I do! You should see the rash I give ’em! All over – like spotted dick. All I need is a bit of their clothing, or something they’ve touched. Menstrual fluid and nail clippings work best; or sometimes Julian brings me a vole and I can –’
    The cat jumped up from within the house on to the window frame and mewed.
    ‘No not you, I was just talking to Myfanwy.’
    Julian mewed again.
    ‘I didn’t! I just mentioned your name! I was telling her about the voles.’
    The cat made a short exasperated mew and leaped back into the house.
    As we walked back along the dunes, the sky in the west became molten and the far-off windows of Borth burned with golden fire. The heat of the day had slipped away, and the rising breeze had a sudden chill edge to it which brought goosebumps to Myfanwy’s back. We quickened our step and I reflected on the extra significance that today’s sunset had acquired. Why hadn’t I just told them I didn’t know what they were looking for? I began to regret having been so cocky with them.
    ‘Let’s go for a drink,’ said Myfanwy.
    ‘Don’t you have to work tonight?’
    ‘I phoned in sick this morning.’
    ‘You shouldn’t do that.’
    ‘Oh don’t be such a misery. Aren’t you having fun?’
    ‘Of course I am.’
    I led the way across the road to the Schooner Inn. We sat on a sofa in the lounge and drank beer as the setting sun turned the windows to stained glass.
    ‘I’ve had a really, really, really lovely day,’ said Myfanwy simply.
    I nodded.
    ‘Later we can have fish and chips.’
    I said nothing and Myfanwy put her hand on my arm.
    ‘What’s wrong? You’ve gone all quiet.’
    I sighed and took a drink. ‘Do you know what has happened to Evans the Boot?’
    She shook her head. ‘No, of course not.’
    ‘Haven’t you any idea at all?’
    ‘Don’t you believe me?’
    ‘After you left my office, some Druids came and ransacked it. I don’t know what they were looking for but they told me I had until sunset this evening to give it to them.’
    ‘What will they do to you?’
    I shrugged. ‘You know their methods.’
    She twisted a beer mat between her fingers. ‘And I’ve got you into this. I’m such a cow, I should never have involved you.’
    ‘What could they be after?’
    ‘Louie, I really don’t know what it could be.’
    A glittering drop of rain spattered against the window.
    It must have been just after midnight; the rain was sluicing down from the sky in torrents and we took cover beneath a coat from the back of the car and ran across the street to my office. Once inside I went into the kitchen to fetch the bottle of rum and two glasses. When I returned to the office Myfanwy was standing in the doorway to the bedroom.
    ‘Mmmm … how many poor girls have you undone in this room?’
    ‘Not many.’
    ‘Don’t lie to me you wicked man.’
    ‘No honest.’
    ‘You’re a private detective, you must get women throwing themselves at you all the time.’
    I laughed. ‘In Aberystwyth?’
    ‘You surely don’t expect me to believe