**An Unforgettable Celebration: The Restaurant Return**
Sophie was heading back with her husband, James, from a restaurant where theyd celebrated her birthday. The night had been brilliantpacked with family, coworkers, even people Sophie was meeting for the first time. But if James had invited them, there mustve been a reason.
Sophie wasnt the type to question her husbands choices. She hated arguments, found it easier to agree than to prove a point.
«Sophie, do you have the flat keys handy? Can you grab them?»
She rummaged through her handbag, then suddenly jerked her hand back with a sharp pain, sending the bag tumbling to the ground.
«Whats wrong?» James asked.
«Something pricked me.»
«With the state of that bag, its no surprise.»
Sophie didnt argue. She picked it up, carefully fished out the keys, and they went inside. Shed already forgotten the stingexhausted, feet aching, desperate for a shower and bed.
The next morning, she woke to a throbbing, swollen red finger. She remembered last nights jab and searched her bag thoroughly. At the bottom was a large, rusted needle.
«What on earth?»
No idea how it got there. She tossed it, then dug out the first-aid kit to clean the wound. Bandaged up, she went to workbut by lunch, she was burning up with fever.
She called James.
«James, I dont know whats wrong. I feel awfulfever, headache, body like Ive been hit by a lorry. And I found a rusty needle in my bag.»
«You should see a doctor. Could be tetanus or worse.»
«Dont fuss. I cleaned it. Itll be fine.»
But hour by hour, she felt worse. Barely made it through the day. She hailed a cabno way she could manage the Tube. At home, she collapsed on the sofa, out cold.
She dreamed of her grandmother, Margaret, whod died when Sophie was little. She *knew* it was her, hunched and old but there to help. In the dream, Margaret led her through a field, pointing out herbs for a tea to cleanse the darkness eating at her. She warned someone wished her harmbut to face it, Sophie had to survive. Time was short.
Sophie woke drenched in sweat. Felt like hours, but only minutes had passed. The door clickedJames. He took one look and paled.
«Blimey, look at yourself.»
She staggered to the mirror. Yesterday, a bright, smiling girl. Now? A ghosttangled hair, hollow eyes, face drained.
«Whats happening to me?»
Then she remembered the dream. «James, Gran came to me. She told me what to do»
«Sophie, get dressed. Were going to hospital.»
«No. She said doctors cant help.»
A row erupted. James called her mad for trusting a dream, even tried dragging her out. First proper fight theyd ever had. She wrenched free, stumbled, smacked into the wall. James grabbed his coat, slammed the door. Sophie barely managed a sick text to her boss before passing out again.
James returned near midnight, apologising, but Sophie just said, «Take me to Grans village tomorrow.»
By morning, she looked half-dead. James begged, «Sophie, dont be daft. I cant lose you.» But they went. She slept most of the drive, waking only to point: «There.»
Weak, she flopped onto the grass but knew it was the place from her dream. Found the herbs, hurried home. James brewed the tea as instructed. Sip by sip, she improvedthough her urine turned black.
«The darkness is leaving,» she whispered.
That night, Margaret returned. The rusted needle had been a curse. The tea bought time, but Sophie had to find whod done itand James was involved somehow. If she hadnt tossed the needle, theyd know more.
«Buy a box of needles,» Margaret said. «Recite this over the largest: *Spirits of night, before you take flight, hear me, shadows, reveal whats right. Circle, show me, aid my sightfind the one who seeks my blight.* Hide it in Jamess bag. Whoever pricks themselves is your enemy.»
Gone like mist.
Sophie woke stronger. James stayed to care for her, baffled when she insisted on shopping alone.
«Love, you can barely stand. Let me come.»
«Make me soup. Im starving after this bug.»
She followed the dreams instructions. That night, James asked, «Sure youll be alright?»
«Ill manage.»
Next evening, she greeted him eagerly. «How was your day?»
«Fine. Why?»
Then»Weirdest thing. Irene from next department tried helping me with my keys. Stuck her hand in my bag and jabbed herself on a needle. Went spare.»
«Whats between you and Irene?»
«Sophie, dont. I love *you*. Shes just a colleague.»
«Was she at the restaurant?»
«Yeah, but»
It clicked. The rusted needle in *her* bag.
Later, Margaret returned in another dream, explaining how to reflect Irenes malice. The woman wanted Jamesby any means.
Sophie obeyed. Days later, James mentioned Irene was off sickdoctors stumped.
That weekend, Sophie visited Margarets grave for the first time since the funeral. Bought flowers, gloves to tidy the plot. Found the headstone, saw the face from her dreamsthe woman whod saved her.
«Sorry I stayed away, Gran. Ill visit more. If not for you, Id be gone.»
A soft breeze brushed her shoulderslike an embrace. When she turned, no one was there.
