The Tales and Tellings of Hallows' Grove (MLM)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN.

ONE MONTH LATER.

Henry hugged his mug of tea as his eyes roamed over the winter wonderland outside his window. I really should get to mending that wall, he thought idly. Birds chirped here and there on snow-covered branches before flying off, rabbits flitted between the trees encircling his home, and Henry scrunched his shoulders against the chill seeping through the sliver of opening between the glass and his window frame.

He traced a single finger across the frame and watched as the glass followed his touch, reattaching itself and sealing in the warmth of the fireplace. He returned his hand to his steaming mug and took a sip.

Behind him, Nox meowed from where he was perched on the crumpled heap of a sweater that did not belong to Henry, but which Nox had taken for his own. It dragged Henry's attention to the oven, the sitting room already filled with the smell of vanilla.

"Oh," he said, and set his cup down on the windowsill. Grabbing his mittens, Henry opened his oven door and pulled out the tray of biscuits, now a golden brown. He put his hands on his hips and tilted his head at one of the Father Christmas's crooked hats. He scrunched his nose, and the hat righted itself so that it looked like the others. Satisfied, Henry set the biscuits down on a rack to cool and went to finish his tea.

He dressed himself in a long coat and thick scarf, and as he did, the biscuits marched themselves into a large cloth.

"Oi," Henry warned Nox who had tried swiping at one with his paw. "Don't you dare."

Once gathered together, a long red ribbon flitted out of one of the drawers and tied itself around the cloth tightly.

Henry glanced at his reflection in the mirror and looked again, staring. There, sitting amongst his dark brown strands, was a white hair. He blinked for a moment, nearly plucked it out, and caught himself. He huffed a chuckle to himself, shaking his head in wonder, and told himself to mention it to Charlie when he saw him for lunch.

Grabbing his bag and stuffing the small dessert inside, Henry waited for Nox to leap onto his shoulder, got into his Hillman Minx, and drove out the usual path through the forest. The snow melted beneath his tires, and he glided along smoothly. A squirrel outside his window caught his eye and he sniffled against the cold before stuffing his cold nose beneath his scarf.

In the town of Hallows' Grove, the snow had long been shovelled off the streets, and Henry parked his car in front of Potions & Candles.

"'Morning, Bill," called Henry at the sight of the gruff officer and his wife in their car. "Janice."

"Good Morning, Henry!" Janice called happily, and nudged her husband with her elbow. He grunted his own greeting.

Stepping into his shop, Henry took a deep sigh, and the chill melted away at once. He hung his coat and scarf and took to lighting candles that filled the shop with the scent of bergamot.

He boiled some water in the back, and set to restocking some of the herbs and incense. He had just finished labelling the lavender scents when he heard Mr. Morris's voice calling out.

"Good morning, Edward, m'boy!"

Edward stopped outside the shop and grinned, raising his hand in hello. "Good morning, Mr. Morris!"

"Am I still counting on yours and Henry's visit tonight? I've been working on my famous roast beef since dawn! Sofie says I've outdone myself this time!"