A Special Birthday Celebration: The Couples Memorable Dinner
Emily was returning home with her husband from the restaurant where theyd celebrated his birthday. It had been a lovely evening. Many people were thererelatives, work colleagues. It was the first time Emily had met most of them, but if James had decided to invite them, then it must have been important.
Emily wasnt the type to question her husbands decisions. She disliked arguments and drama. For her, it was easier to agree with James than to prove she was right.
Emily, do you have the flat keys handy? Can you grab them?
She opened her handbag and began searching for the keys. A sharp pain shot through her finger, and she yanked her hand back, dropping the bag.
Why did you shout?
Something stung me.
With all the rubbish you keep in that bag, Im not surprised.
Emily didnt argue. She picked up the bag and carefully retrieved the keys. Once inside, shed already forgotten the incident. Her legs ached from exhaustion; all she wanted was a hot bath and bed. The next morning, she woke to a throbbing pain in her handher finger was red and swollen. Then she remembered the night before and checked her bag. Digging through its contents, she found a large, rusted needle at the bottom.
What on earth?
She couldnt fathom how it had gotten there. Shaking her head, she tossed the strange object in the bin and fetched the first-aid kit to tend to the wound. After bandaging her finger, she headed to work. But by lunchtime, a fever had set in.
She called James.
I dont know whats wrong! I think Ive caught something. Fever, headache, my whole body hurts. And listenI found a rusted needle in my bag. That must be what stung me.
You should see a doctor. It could be tetanus or a serious infection.
Dont be dramatic. I cleaned ititll be fine.
Yet as the day wore on, Emily worsened. Barely making it through her shift, she took a taxi home, too weak for public transport. She collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep.
She dreamed of her grandmother, Margaret, who had died when Emily was very young. Though she hardly remembered her face, she knew it was her. While the old womans appearance might have frightened others, Emily felt only comfortshe was here to help.
Margaret led her through a field, pointing out herbs she must gather to brew a cleansing tea. She warned that someone wished Emily harm. To fight it, she had to survive. Time was running out.
Emily woke in a cold sweat. She thought shed slept for hours, but only minutes had passed. The front door openedJames was home. She stumbled into the hallway.
Whats happened to you? Look at yourself!
Emily faced the mirror. Yesterday, a bright, smiling young woman had stared back. Now, she barely recognised the dishevelled hair, sunken eyes, and pallid face.
Whats going on?
Then she remembered the dream.
I saw Gran. She told me what to do
Emily, get dressed. Were going to the hospital.
No. She said doctors wont help.
An argument erupted. James called her delusional, scoffing at dreams of a woman shed never known. For the first time, they fought bitterly. He even tried forcing her outside.
If you wont go willingly, Ill drag you.
Emily resisted, losing her balance and falling. Furious, James snatched her bag, slammed the door, and left. All Emily could do was text her boss, claiming shed caught a virus and needed days off.
James returned near midnight, apologising. Emilys response was calm:
Take me to Grans village.
By morning, Emily looked like a walking corpse. James pleaded,
Dont be foolish. Lets go to the hospital. I cant lose you.
But they went. Emily remembered only the village nameshe hadnt been since her parents sold Margarets cottage. She slept the entire drive. Nearing the village, she stirred.
That way.
Weakly, she stepped out and collapsed onto the grass. Yet she knew this was the place from her dream. She found the herbs Margaret had shown her, and they returned home. James brewed the tea as instructed. With each sip, Emily felt stronger.
Later, in the bathroom, she saw her urine had turned black. Unfazed, she whispered,
The poisons leaving
That night, she dreamed of Margaret againthis time, smiling.
The rusted needle carried a curse. The tea restores you, but not for long. We must find who did this. Its tied to James. If you hadnt thrown the needle away, Id know more. But listenbuy new needles. Chant over the largest:
*Spirits of night, once alive!
Hear me, shades, the truth derive.
Circle near, my foe uncover,
Show the one who seeks my suffering.*
Hide it in Jamess bag. Whoever cursed you will prick themselvesand well know.
With that, Margaret faded like mist.
The next day, James stayed home, worried. Emily insisted on going out alone.
Ill be fine. Make me some soupIm starving.
She followed Margarets instructions. That night, the enchanted needle lay in Jamess briefcase. Before bed, he asked,
Sure youre alright? Maybe I should stay.
Ill manage.
Though improving, Emily felt the curse lingering. Three days of tea had weakened it, but not banished it.
When James returned from work, she met him at the door.
How was your day?
Fine. Why?
She thought nothing had happeneduntil he added,
Oddest thing. Sarah from accounting tried helping me with my keys. She reached into my bag and pricked herself on a needle. Gave me a death glare. No idea how it got there.
You and Sarah?
Emily, please. Its only ever been you.
Was she at your birthday dinner?
Yes, but shes just a colleague.
The pieces clicked. Now Emily knew how the needle had ended up in her bag.
As James ate dinner, she slept and dreamed of Margaret, who revealed how to return Sarahs malice. Sarah had used dark magic to remove Emily and take her place. She wouldnt stop.
Emily obeyed every instruction. Soon, James mentioned Sarah was on medical leavegravely ill, baffling doctors.
That weekend, Emily asked James to drive her to Margarets village. She bought flowers and gloves to tidy the neglected grave. Finding Margarets headstone, she cleared weeds, arranged the blooms, and sat on the bench.
Gran, Im sorry I never visited. I thought Mum and Dads yearly trips were enough. I was wrong. Ill come now. Without you, I wouldnt be here.
Suddenly, she felt hands on her shoulders. She turnedno one was there. Just a soft breeze.