Chapter 3: Kali

3

KALI

" N obody gave you any shit?" Evan walks through the front door, looking around as if he was expecting to return to broken furniture and smashed glasses littering the floor.

Rolling my eyes, I sigh and give him my most patient smile.

"For the last time, I swear. Everyone was lovely."

Evan watches me closely for any signs that I'm not telling the truth.

"You think you have tough customers here because they moan about not having a TV in the bar, but they're absolute angels compared to the dickheads back in Zora Hills."

It's true. I'm two days into my new job as a barmaid at The Devil's Claw, and nobody has been rude to me. There have been a few odd looks and double takes, but people here respect Evan. They might not want to be best friends with me, but they're happy enough to order a drink.

"I won't argue with you on that one. They make them stupid and mean up in the hills. I don't know how you stuck it out for as long as you did."

Nodding, I slip off my money belt and then hand it to Evan. "I've balanced the takings, and just have the tips to sort out."

Evan stares at the money belt as he's done every day since I started.

"What are you doing? I've told you those tips are yours." He brushes past, ignoring my outstretched arm, immediately busying himself with checking what change we have in the till. "Same time again tomorrow. We'll put a proper rota in place once I speak to Ben."

That's Evan's way of saying great job , welcome aboard .

I squeal, and Evan groans loudly when I follow him behind the bar and throw my arms around his neck. Grunting when I give him a big squeeze, he pretends to be annoyed, but I know better.

"You're a good one, Evan King. You don't fool me." I tease.

His cheeks are pink as he tries to squirm out of my grasp.

Stretching up to peck him on the cheek, I laugh as he recoils and wipes at his face. Evan is not a hugger. I toss him a wink before moonwalking back out from behind the bar. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mutters, immediately turning his back to me. "I just want to make sure you can afford your rent, so I'm not stuck with another squatter."

I grin and decide to stop torturing him, since he clearly wants to pretend like he's not doing a nice thing.

With a smile so wide my face hurts, I push through the front door and out into the crisp evening air. Checking the time on my phone, I skip down the steps and head toward my car.

"Heard the good news. Welcome to the Claw." Hearing Ben's voice makes this day even better. Sidling up to me as I unlock my car, he gives me a side hug. "Going somewhere fun?"

Something wrapped tightly around my heart unfurls at his easy acceptance.

Neither of my cousins ever gave a shit about the curse. They don't understand how much that means to me.

"To get the keys to my new place!" I clap my hands together excitedly, bouncing on the balls of my feet. I've never lived alone, so this is huge for me. I can read, blare loud music, cook whatever I want, or wander around in my pj's all day. This is my chance to stand on my own two feet.

Taking a deep breath, I realise how truly happy I am. I have a job and a house in a town that doesn't hate me. Life is looking up.

"I'm stoked for you. Call me if you need a hand moving anything around."

I won't. I might not be big and brawny like him, but I'm still strong.

Ruffling my hair, Ben smiles and gives me a big wave as he heads for the door to the bar, calling over his shoulder. "I'm expecting an invitation for dinner in the very near future. Very. Near."

Laughing at his shamelessness, I slide behind the wheel of my battered old hatchback and then drive toward town.

Following the directions Maisy gave me, it's not long before I see the older woman standing there with an enormous bunch of flowers in one arm, and a set of keys dangling from her fingers.

Pulling up, my insides warm at the sight of the place. It's small and cosy. Maisy warned me it was basic, but it's perfect for me.

Her brother moved away and kept it as a holiday home for years, but now that he's getting on in years, he hasn't made it here in a long time. Maisy convinced him to give me a month-to-month lease and cheap rent, rather than let it fall into disrepair. Judging by the girly cushions on the porch chairs and the brand-new mat at the door, Maisy has already been working on some home improvements.

"You didn't have to do this," I say quietly, touching the soft throw sitting on the porch swing. The plant pots at the bottom of the steps are overflowing with happy-looking, colourful flowers, and the windows are gleaming.

Maisy waves away my gentle admonishment and then hooks her arm through mine as we walk up the old steps, side by side.

"It's not much. I just freshened her up for you. You'll need to do some work to make it a real home, but it's all yours, for as long as you need it."

She drops the keys into my hands and steps back, letting me do the honours.

Proud of myself for making this happen, I put the key in the lock and twist it. The door swings open with a soft creak, and I can't help but grin as I step into the small, open plan living room, kitchen and dining room.

"Two bedrooms and a bathroom down there." Maisy points to the dark, narrow corridor. "And that's the tour." She laughs, almost apologetic that there isn't more to see, but I don't care.

Turning a slow circle, I close my eyes and just soak in the moment. For most people, this wouldn't be a big deal, but I could never have lived on my own in my hometown. It wouldn't have been safe, even if I could convince someone to let me rent their property.

"I love it," I whisper, spinning back around to face her, emotion thick in my voice. "Thank you."

I really mean it. The place itself might not be much to look at, but it's my own private space, and with the beauty of the forest on my doorstep, it's second to none. There's nothing else I need.

"Give me a couple of weeks, and I'll have put my stamp on the place." I reassure Maisy as she looks at me curiously, probably wondering why I'm getting so choked up.

Instead of bringing in all the boxes from my car, I distract myself by opening the small welcome basket Maisy left for me on the kitchen counter. Touched to find enough essentials to make a cup of coffee, I put on the kettle, and drift about the small space, mentally cataloguing where my meagre belongings will go.

"Thank you."

Maisy grabs my hands in hers and turns to leave. "I'm only down the road. You need anything, even just a cup of tea or a chat, come and see me. I'll pop down tomorrow to see how you're settling in." Reaching up to cup my cheek, she nods. "You're going to do well here, Kali. I can feel it."

When she goes outside, I trail along behind her, taking in all the little details of the house. Like the old, white painted coat rack behind the door, and the iron boot stand sitting on the porch. I watch as she disappears around the bend, waving until she's out of sight, before I go back into my quiet kitchen and make a steaming cup of coffee.

Mug in hand, I make my way to the large, overstuffed sofa that's taking up one wall, and plonk myself into the corner, curling my legs underneath me.

The view from the window is incredible. Mountains rise majestically from the dense forest, and the trees almost glow silver, drenched in the sun's last light on this clear, crisp evening. It's hard to believe this is real.