Rewitched

by Lucy Jane Wood

Growing up with slightly terrifying determination, they had both been certain that the curse of ordinary would simply never happen to them. It wasn’t meant to be that way. But time changed things and brought a dose of reality with it.

“It’s never the right time. Ever. If you’re waiting for all of the stars and planets to align before you make decisions that’ll make you happier, you’ll be waiting forever.”

“I told you, I had that epiphany. We’re past the point of having to think we can take over the world. We can just exist happily if we want to. As long as it pays the bills. And you would be happy, which is really all that matters. You could be spending your days recommending fiction to old people in your own bookshop, reading stories to sticky-fingered kids, stressing over barely making ends meet but loving the quiet day to day. That’s the dream right there, Belle.”

it was less disappointing and much less painful to refuse to give your heart and soul to any one thing for fear of an imperfect result.

Not enough, yet somehow too much. Easy to leave behind, so she had to work twice as hard to keep people loving her.

As she nestled into the lumpy cushions, she already felt a little better. Ari always had the heating on. The candles were lit across the hearth. The fireplace was stuffed with bundles of fairy lights. A repeat of their favourite sitcom played quietly on the television. It felt familiar and right, after the longest day of everything being distinctly, extremely wrong.

“One of life’s kindest and cruellest gifts, old friends. Anyone’s Achilles heel,” Bronwyn said sadly. “I miss her and she’s still here. Love does leave you vulnerable, if you allow it to endure.”

along with a characteristic frustration when she didn’t prove to be instantly successful at something.

Are we all the same??

If soulmates existed, they were that. She knew they’d meet again next time around, every time around. They’d always find each other.

“Outstanding magic washes away when death comes to take a witch. She will have returned to her true self when her eyes closed to rest,” Artorius said softly.

It’s peaceful. Not so different but happier. And not far away. Like when you used to be playing in the garden while I watched from the kitchen window.

“Not to worry. Precious lost things will always turn up when we need them to.”

“Fate can’t be twisted and turned as you like, Belle. What’s meant for you is meant. No matter which turn you take or hurdle you stumble at, you’ll always end up on the path that’s meant for you. Love, let the dust settle on choices that you’ve made or that you didn’t make. Leave all those different lives behind and make peace that this is the right one. Tell yourself, this is how my story is supposed to go, but I am the one who can write it as it’s supposed to be.”

As Artorius had reminded her numerous times, what was the best that could happen?