Laina had made a bold play. She'd actually stolen those photographs that she'd found and was determined to show them to Penelope as soon as she could. She knew of Penelope's ability and although Laina wouldn't have ever considered herself for that sort of thing, she was having some weird vibes of her own. Of course her vibes weren't anything like Penelope's. Mostly Laina just had a suspicion that her mom had been keeping a dreadful secret from her for years.

As Laina was tucking the photographs into her purse, she heard her aunt coming up the stairs and she froze with guilt for a few seconds before realizing that her aunt had no reason to suspect her of taking those pictures. Hell, as far as Laina knew, her aunt didn't know she'd even found those pictures.

Quinn appeared in the doorway of the spare bedroom that Laina was occupying, looking like a model who'd just stepped out of the covers of the latest fashion magazine. Her eyes were bright with interest and Laina was wondering what her aunt was thinking.

"I'm headed into town and I thought I'd give you a lift to Penelope's, if you were interested?"

"Sounds good. Thanks." Laina leaned over, grabbing her jacket, phone and purse, holding the latter tightly against her lower abdomen, smiling brightly. A tiny crease appeared between Quinn's perfectly shaped eyebrows.

"Worried your purse will fly away?" Quinn remarked as she turned, heading for the stairs, Laina hot on her heels.

"What?" Laina looked down and discovered she was clutching the purse far too tightly against herself. She chuckled nervously, relaxing her hold on the purse as she followed her aunt down the stairs.

"Oh. Yeah. Guess I was worried about that! Silly me!" Quinn went to the closet and pulled out her jacket and purse, fishing around inside for the car keys before they exited the house, Quinn remembering to lock the door on the way out.

Laina quickly shrugged into her own jacket and slipped her phone into the side pocket before climbing into her aunt's car and buckling herself in. She certainly hoped that Penelope's aunt wouldn't answer the door when she arrived. The woman seriously gave her the creeps. Maybe she wasn't necessarily a witch but she sure as hell gave off those kind of vibes.

Quinn joined her niece in the car and buckled herself in, before inserting the key into the ignition and taking off.

"I'll just be at the indoor market," Quinn informed Laina. "I shouldn't be more than two hours. I was thinking of making spaghetti bologneses for tea this evening. What do you think?"

"Sounds delicious. Mom often makes that. It's actually one of my favorite dishes."

Quinn smiled. It was nice to know that although her older sister had left England, she still had enough of it instilled in her that she hadn't completely forgotten about her family life there.

"It was one of your mum's favorite dishes growing up as well. She learned to make it when she was quite young so then she could just make it whenever she wanted."

"My grandparents weren't around much, were they?" Laina recalled her mother ranting about how her parents always liked to put on the facade that they were such a close and proper family, yet they were hardly around their daughters.

"No." Quinn released an almost inaudible sigh. Laina cast a quick glance at her aunt. The sadness was evident. Even though her aunt often defended her parents, she obviously still harbored the old pain of their absence growing up .

"But that's old news." Quinn reached Esper Hall and steered the car down the long winding driveway which lead to the house. She braked the car and put in it in park, smiling at Laina.

"I'll make sure you're allowed on the premises before leaving in case Penelope's aunt chases you out with her broom."

Laina chuckled, shaking her head in amusement as she exited the car. The front door was opened even before she reached it. Penelope stood there, hands clasped in front of her, looking pleased to see her friend.

Quinn waved to both of the girls before heading out. She glanced in the side mirror of the car. She watched as her niece went into Esper Hall. She still didn't understand how Laina could go in there and not feel apprehensive about it. Especially when...well. That didn't matter now. As she'd told Laina; it was ancient history. What was done was done. It couldn't be undone. If only, though, it could at least be forgotten.

***

Oliver was antsy. He hadn't spoken with Penelope in a couple of days. For a fleeting moment, he wished he could reveal his presence, just allowing the shock to be known and be done with the whole mess. However he wasn't terribly keen on seeing Lenora again after all these years.

Oliver knew that Lenora had kept her part of the bargain. Addie had returned to him. Yet she wasn't the woman he'd grown up knowing. A shutter of breath went through his body. He remembered all too well what had happened. He was still vexed with himself for agreeing so readily to Lenora's assistance. He wasn't thinking clearly. His normally solid judgment was swayed by his grief.

All Oliver had been thinking was: I need Addie. I don't care how she returns to me as long as she was there.

It was a horrible mistake. He should have held firm. He should have been happy that he'd had as much time with Addie that he did. He recalled reciting the wedding vows. Until death us part. Except Oliver was selfish and greatly wanting of Addie's presence. She was his first and only true love.

He'd always known that when someone dabbled in black magic that there was a great price to pay. It was a foolish risk he'd taken. And all for...what? Addie still died in the end. Again. He'd had to live with losing her twice. If it had been physically possible, he would have kicked his own ass.

He hoisted his aching body upwards, his knuckles going white from gripping the sides of the chair, groaning slightly. His bum leg was bothering him more today. Probably because of a change in the weather. Blasted horrid British weather. He despised it. Oliver was considering moving abroad, to America. Preferably some place that didn't rain as much.

He limped along, the agitation swirling within him. He checked his watch. It was only four o'clock. He sighed wearily, pausing to lean against the wall, bracing himself on it. Some days he ached for death. Not because he completely despised living. But because he wanted to see Addie again. Happy and whole. Oliver's eyes began to water.

Shit. He hated himself when he became emotional. It was pointless. All his tears were in vain. No amount of tears could bring his beloved Addie back to him. Oliver dashed the tears away with his thumb and pushed off the wall, heading down the long, narrow passageway, unsure of where exactly he was going.

***

"Wow." Penelope was indeed intrigued by the photos that Laina shared with her. Laina watched as Penelope carefully studied each photo, her face squinched up with curiosity.

"Neither my mum nor Auntie Lenora had mentioned this to me." Penelope set the photos aside, a pensive look on her face, as she absently fiddled with her long hair.

"As if that's so shocking. They never tell me a damn thing. If it wasn't for Oliver.." Penelope stopped abruptly, her eyes sliding to Laina as she bit her lower lip.

"Who's Oliver?" Laina asked softly. Penelope gave a small shake of her head, quickly and Laina understood that Penelope wasn't interested in sharing that secret.

"I get it," Laina said, careful to keep her tone soft. "This person doesn't want to be known to everyone."

"Yes." Penelope looked greatly relieved. Laina's mind suddenly recalled the man in black, whom her aunt had nearly hit that first day she'd arrived here. Was it possible that man was this Oliver that Penelope was speaking of?

"He..knows things," Penelope added, her tone quiet. "He was the one who summoned me here, to Esper Hall."

"You mean he's psychic?" Laina was in awe. How extraordinary! Was Penelope's entire family that way? That would explain Penelope's witchy aunt.

"Yes. He's...very...troubled in mind. I don't think he's fully recovered from his losses. He's rather eccentric but I trust him."

"Jeez. That must suck." Laina picked up the photos and carefully tucked them back inside her purse. She didn't want Penelope's aunt seeing them. She'd probably place a curse on her for meddling in her past affairs.

"He's kind, though," Penelope murmured. "Although I don't know him well, I'm rather protective of him."

"I hope he's not just screwing with you," Laina stated. "I'd hate to have something happen to my new friend."

Penelope smiled. She was pleased that Laina wanted to be her friend, even though her aunt had tried to discourage the girl from coming here.

"Oliver is trustworthy," Penelope assured Laina. "I can feel it inside me."

"He hasn't done something illegal, has he?" Laina frowned, chewing her bottom lip.

"I can't say that for certain," Penelope replied. "But I don't think he has. Mostly he just wants to be left alone. Oh! I nearly forgot!"

"What?" Laina asked warily.

"I stumbled upon a nursery, here, up in the attic. It's like I'd fallen into a time machine. Everything looks so tidy and perfect. It was rather unnerving."

"Why would someone have a nursery in an attic? That's kinda creepy."

"I thought that as well. Of course I don't dare ask Mum or Auntie Lenora. They might not even know it's there."

"What about...Oliver?" The last word was spoken in a whisper.

"I'll ask him next time I speak with him. I'm certain he knows something."

Laina continued to chew on her bottom lip, a weird feeling slowly creeping up inside her. She really thought there was something wrong with this house. There were too many secrets. Too many unanswered questions. And no one, especially Penelope's family was too interested in talking about it.

"Would you like to see the nursery?" Penelope asked suddenly. Laina shook her head. Maybe another day. If she was feeling brave. She checked her phone. There was a text message from her aunt, stating that she was on her way. Laina stood.

"Aunt Quinn is headed here," she informed Penelope. Penelope nodded, slowly getting to her feet. A wave of nausea washed over her, her vision blurring into nothingness.

Addie. She was smiling, beaming, actually as Oliver approached her. He knelt down beside her. Her lips were moving but Penelope couldn't hear what Addie was telling Oliver. He grinned, looking foreign and unfamiliar. Penelope realized she'd never seen Oliver look so happy.

Then..another image. The doctor speaking with Oliver, looking grave and uncomfortable. Oliver was weeping, tears running in tracks down his face, dripping off his chin.

Penelope rushed back to the present, sweat beaded on her upper brow and her breathing heavy. Laina knelt beside her, a hand on Penelope's arm, looking concerned.

"Are you all right?" Penelope drew in a shaky breath as it rattled in her chest. She nodded.

"Yes. I think I know why there's a nursery in the attic."

Chapter 11

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