Microscopes and Magic by Andi C. Buchanan

Author:Andi C. Buchanan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-473-56299-1
Publisher: A.C. Buchanan
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Marigold and Memory had been best friends since they were sixteen. Marigold had returned to school after two years doing correspondence school from Japan, and Memory's family had just moved back from Australia. Aside from their return to school and Wellington after years away, they hadn't been the obvious pair; Marigold was all about science while Memory spent every moment she could in the art rooms. Marigold talked to everyone she could and frequently put her foot in it, while Memory was reserved, her words chosen carefully.

"Taking a pack of kids round the City Gallery and Te Papa. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't think I'd get chance to see you, but I made a deal with one of the parent helpers and cut and run for it. I only have an hour or so. I, uh, did text you."

Marigold looked round for her phone.

"Shit. Sorry."

"No worries. I expected no less. I'm just glad you were home. It's been months."

Memory lived in Whanganui, teaching high school art and - hilariously in Marigold's view, home economics - and loved it, but despite being less than three hours drive away their paths didn't cross as often as they would have liked. Both of them found themselves endlessly busy; neither were particularly good at making plans.

"Come in, come in. How are you? What's new?"

Memory spun around on her foot to reveal a wide but slightly nervous smile.

"Pregnant, for starters."

Marigold stopped still at the entrance to the living area, only just managed to avoid gasping.

"No way. But... but you’re my age! That's way too young to have a baby."

"Ha! No seriously, I'm ready, Troy's ready, may as well make a start. It's not public, though, not just yet."

"I need to make us something to toast this... one moment..." Marigold ran outside and came in with leaves of mint and lemongrass and a few berries, then used a wooden spoon to knock down a cocktail shaker from a high shelf which she caught, awkwardly, with one hand.

"I can't..."

"I know you can't drink. I'm gay and a nerd but I'm not completely clueless about the ways of normal people. This isn't just a mocktail, it has lemongrass for strength and nurturing and ginger to prevent nausea. Oh and plenty of sugar so it actually tastes good."

Marigold filled up the shaker from icemaker on the front of the fridge and shook it hard, pouring into proper cocktail glasses.

"To your little one," Marigold said.

"To your goddaughter," Memory said, and Marigold put a hand over her mouth to suppress a squeal. "I mean if you'll accept. Troy's parents are very into the whole getting the kid baptised thing, and you're the person I most want to be looking out for my kid, and I feel having a witch as a godmother is just the right amount of quiet subversiveness..."

“No curses, I promise.”

“No. I know you’re not that sort of… well you’re actually a witch now. It’s weird, when we were kids I thought that was just your quirk, but now I find magic increasingly interesting.

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