Dream Lover A story to make you smile

Emily’s prepared to take drastic action to attract the man of her dreams… but will it all work out in the way she’d hoped?

It’s very small.” Jess held the smoky glass vial up to the light and shook it doubtfully. “What is it meant to do again?”

An excited gleam shone from Emily’s eyes. “The stallholder said it would bring me the man of my dreams.” She dropped her friend a wink. “Let’s hope Mr Cumberbatch doesn’t have anything else planned for tonight.”

Settling on Emily’s bed, Jess inspected the handwritten label. “Do you really think it’ll work?”

She’d never admit it, but Emily had asked herself the same question all the way home. The stall had been tucked away in a corner of the craft fair. Emily would have missed the modest table with its array of bottles and boxes had the old woman behind the table not called out.

“Love potions! Guaranteed results or your money back!”

Intrigued, Emily slowed and glanced sideways. So far, all she’d passed were dull book stalls and jewellery stands. Seeing she had Emily’s attention, the stallholder went on. “One sip to summon your dream lover!”

She’d held out a darkened bottle with a blood-red ribbon. At the time, it had seemed to Emily the most natural thing in the world to hand over a crisp twenty-pound note. It wasn’t until later that she began to wonder if she’d been duped but by then it was too late.

“Of course it’s going to work.” Dragging her thoughts back to the present, Emily leaned into the mirror and carefully applied a second layer of mascara. “This time tomorrow, I’ll be blissfully coupled up.” Jess raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. Where’s Martin tonight?” “Visiting friends up north, I think. Why?” Jess hesitated. “He’s not bad looking.” Emily stared. “He’s my flatmate. The only dream I’ve had about him was the one where he brought a real-life giraffe home from the zoo. Besides, it wouldn’t take much magic to summon him. He lives here.”

Jess sat back, eyeing the bottle with a mixture of doubt and interest.

“If I didn’t think it was going to taste disgusting I’d be half-tempted to try it myself.”

Pulling out the cork, Emily sniffed the bottle. “It smells like cough medicine.” She took an experimental swig. “Actually, it’s not that bad.”

Tilting the bottle to drain the last few dregs, she waited. No mystical transformation happened. She felt exactly the same as before.

Jess watched her closely. “Now what?”

With a shrug, Emily stood up. “It’s too early to go out. Fancy a glass of wine?”

Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang. Both women looked at each other. Eyes widening, Jess said, “That was quick.”

Emily rose and peered through the spy hole in the front door.

“It’s a pizza delivery man. He must have the wrong flat.” She opened the door. “We didn’t order this.”

The teenager scratched his head, peering down at the pizza box in his hand. “Are you sure? I could have sworn this was the right address.”

Jess let out an excited squeak. Emily ignored her. If this was the magical potion at work, she’d prefer someone nearer her own age.

He swayed and clutched at the door frame. “Can I come in for a minute? I really don’t feel too good.”

Emily hesitated; he was rather pale. She stood back to let him in.

Jess led him to the sofa, making no attempt to hide her appraisal. She waggled approving eyebrows at Emily. “Can we get you a drink, er –?”

Still looking bemused, the pizza man frowned. “Robbie. I’d better not. We’re rushed off our feet at work.”

He made no effort to get up, though. Instead, he gazed at Emily. “You’re very pretty. Have you got a boyfriend?”

“Yes.” Emily crossed her fingers behind her back. “His name is Martin.” Robbie’s face drooped. “Oh.” “I’m single,” Jess said quickly. Showing no sign of having heard, Robbie continued to stare at Emily. She shifted uncomfortably. Would it be rude to ask him to leave? She opened her mouth to speak but the doorbell rang again.

“Hi, Emily.” It was Dave, from downstairs. “Can you lend me some sugar? I’ve run out.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. In the two years she’d lived there Dave had never done more than nod hello. Was this the potion’s doing or did he really need sugar? “I guess so. Come in.” Dave joined Robbie on the sofa, throwing him a hard look as he sat down.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” Jess said, looking Dave up and down.

“Jess, meet Dave. Dave, this is Robbie.”

Dave smiled, his eyes lingering on Emily. “You look fantastic. Going out?”

Notatthisrate, Emily thought. Dave was hardly ugly and he was single, as far as she knew, but he wasn’t what she’d call her ideal man. He was too short, for a start. “Yes. Was it sugar you wanted?”

“No rush,” he said easily, leaning back on the sofa. “So, you and Martin. Not an item, are you?”

She threw Jess a despairing look. Taking the hint, Jess said smoothly, “They are, actually. Don’t you think they make a lovely couple?”

She smiled, before adding, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Dave said nothing. Both he and

“Can I COME IN for a MINUTE? I REALLY don’t feel too GOOD…”

Robbie only had eyes for Emily.

A sharp rap at the door gave Emily a welcome diversion from the adoring looks both men were firing her way. Praying it wasn’t another unsuitable bachelor, she was almost relieved to see a fireman on the doorstep.

“There’s an abandoned building on fire nearby,” he said, his expression serious. “You’re being evacuated as a precaution.”

Pausing only to grab their coats and handbags, the girls hurried down the road, trailing Emily’s admirers behind them.

At the end of the street stood a fire engine, lights flashing in the evening air, but the fireman made no effort to move towards it. “I’m Simon. What’s your name?” “Emily. Hadn’t you better go and help?” She gestured to the group of yellow-clad firemen.

He shook his head. “Everything’s under control. I’d better stay here and look after you.”

Ohforpity’ssake, Emily thought in disbelief. Surely magic was more discerning than this?

“I don’t think my boyfriend would like it,” she replied firmly, ignoring his rather disappointed expression.

“What are you doing?” Jess muttered in outrage. “He’s gorgeous. Have you seen those muscles?”

“Exactly,” Emily whispered back. “All brawn and no brains.”

Jess rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe how picky you are.” “Emily? What’s going on?” Spinning round at the familiar voice, Emily felt herself sag in relief. Never had she been so glad to see Martin. She hurried over and flung her arms around him. “Darling, you’re back!” Martin’s mouth dropped open. “My train was cancelled. Is everything OK?”

Aware of three sets of envious eyes watching her, Emily decided it was time for drastic action.

“It is now,” she said, pulling Martin’s head towards her own.

At the end of the kiss, Emily opened her eyes and stared up at him, as though seeing him for the first time. He had the most amazing blue eyes, she thought fuzzily. And why had she never realised how kissable his lips were?

Martin was gazing down at her, smiling softly now.

“About time. Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to do that?”

“So why on earth didn’t you?” she asked.

“I didn’t think you were interested. What happened to change your mind?”

Emily glanced over her shoulder at Jess, who winked.

“I have absolutely no idea,” she said, stretching up for another kiss.