witchy woman | george harrison

9. | Sinister Purpose

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There was A Guide to Being a Seductive Witch, one of several books her nan had given her. The title alone intrigued her.

It was more for having a laugh than being a guide, Maude explained, but still worth a read.

"...A seductive witch keeps plenty of candles on hand. She lights them by her mirror. She keeps her nails red, and her lips even redder, wearing beautiful jewelry, black gowns, silken robes..."

"Sloane!" Frankie's voice called out. Sloane quickly shook off her daydream, imagining herself as one of those powerful women; sexy, mysterious. Dressed in black.

It was a Friday night at Frankie's house, a modestly decorated, cozy townhouse close to the Liverpool waterfront. Frankie's room was swathed in blue and green fabrics, floral wallpaper.

Sloane thought on her tiny room at her nan's, still pink and red, the colors she chose as a child. She shivered with embarrassment.

There were records littered on the floor, a magazine open in front of her as she lay on the soft carpet. Frankie had retrieved a box full of old letters from past lovers and was now reading them aloud.

"My dear, sweet Francis. My mouth hungers for your chocolatey lips. My hands quiver at the thought of your smooth touch. Yesterday in class, when we..."

Sloane's anxious mind trailed off again. She continued mindlessly filling out a magazine quiz as her friend waxed on. "What Type Of Girl-Friend Are You?"

"I think I'm pregnant." Mary blurted out.

Frankie and Sloane froze, turning to stare at the girl in shock.

"How... how do you know?" Sloane asked, feeling a tense knot form in her stomach.

"I just know. It hasn't come. It's been too long," Mary replied, her voice quivering. Frankie began packing her letters away.

Sloane could suddenly feel her heart beating a mile a minute, her palms tingling.

Maybe, just maybe, she had the power to do something about this. The question was, should she?

The thought terrified her.

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Frankie clapped wildly as the boys finished their set, bowing to the audience. The crowd went wild.

Mary stayed silent, occasionally eyeing Dot Rhone, Paul's girlfriend, who stood sweetly cheering him on in the front row.

Sloane couldn't bring herself to clap, either.

She felt absolutely nauseous. Her mind was racing, distracted.

After the second act had gone on and everyone began shuffling out of the dance hall, Frankie and Sloane made their way backstage. Mary excused herself to the bathroom.

A tired George's face lit up at the sight of Sloane. He dumped his guitar to come and greet her.

"Hi," he smiled giddily.

"Hi sweetheart," John winked at Frankie. She rolled her eyes and slinked her way over to a blushing Pete Best.

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Sloane snuck back into the house, tip-toeing as quietly as possible.

She began unwrapping and setting up her new red candles, spreading them out around her vanity mirror.