She tried not to think to hard about her gift, because then she would think about how frustrating it was not to know why people needed the things. --Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.
Hannah is a witch. She comes from a long line of witches known for their special gifts. Hannah's gift is knowing what someone will need in the future, not a complete picture of what and where, just a snippet or a snapshot, a tiny fragment of a bigger picture. Hannah lives in a quaint thatched roof cottage she inherited from her grandmother. It's located on the outskirts of Bainbury, population 500 souls strong...
Hannah looks around at the sea of packing boxes the movers dropped off earlier that day. Memories come flooding back of Summers spent with her Nan collecting wild plants to help the good people of Bainbury. Dried bundles of herbs still hang from the wooden beams causing Hannah to blink back tears. It still doesn't seem real that Nan is gone. Hannah wipes her eyes and opens the nearest box. The sooner she gets settled, the better.
Placing the last empty box aside, Hannah takes a deep breath and stands brushing dust and bits of paper from her jeans. Glancing at her watch she realizes she missed lunch and was dangerously close to missing dinner also. Grabbing her purse she heads out the door in search of some groceries.
Bainbury is a small hamlet tucked away in the corner of nowhere. A single street runs through the town with shops and cottages sharing both sides. Growing up Hannah use to think of it as a place where Shakespeare could have found his inspiration. It's been a few years since Hannah has been to Bainbury. The last five years of Nan's life being spent closer to London with Hannah's mother.
Hannah sensed a feeling of tranquility wash over her as she parked her bicycle outside a little shop called "Emma's Imports". A bell jingled from somewhere inside the store as Hannah pushed open the door. The sense of calm Hannah was feeling intensified and snapshots went racing through her mind like a photo album. A sterling silver cake knife, someone in the store needed a sterling silver cake knife.
This was Hannah's gift, knowing the exact thing people needed at the exact right time they needed it. She tried not to think to hard about her gift, because then she would think about how frustrating it was not to know why people needed the things.
A woman with fiery red hair came out from behind the counter to great Hannah. She looked to be about the same age as Hannah and was wearing a sundress with ballet flats. "Hi, can I help you?” I'm Emma and you must be Nan's granddaughter. Hannah wasn't surprised to hear Emma calling her grandmother Nan, to most residents of Bainbury she was their honorary grandmother.
"A sterling silver cake knife, you wouldn't by any chance need one would you??” It's always tricky to work people's needs into a conversation thinks Hannah. "A cake knife, no I don't think so” laughs Emma. Hannah glances around the store to make sure they are alone and it is indeed Emma who is in need of the cake knife. "Well you should definitely buy one; it will come in handy very soon" says Hannah with a wink.
To be continued…
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