“It’s a disaster!” I whine. “Where could it have gone?”

Danny and I have turned the whole house upside-down looking for the tiny vial but it’s nowhere to be found.

“Great,” I say, slumping on the couch. “Now what am I going to do?”

I pick up my phone and call Zelda, but it just rings out. I try again and she answers. Her gruff voice startles me. Before I can say a word, she simply tells me not to phone her again and hangs up. I throw it to one side and sulk.

“Only one thing for it, now,” I say to Danny.

“What’s that then?”

“I’ll have to come clean.”

He frowns and says that he’s not sure it’s a good idea. I know all my friends think I’m crazy and I should just forget about the potion. But I want so much for Jackson to like me for real. A year down the line, I still don’t want to be feeling guilty of hiding such a big secret from him.

“I can’t hang around, sweets. Feather from the project is picking me up any minute. We’re driving up tonight ahead of the others.”

“But I thought you weren’t going till tomorrow. How come you’re going early?”

“We’re just going to stay in an Airbnb near Vacaville. It’s not far from the retreat and it means we can check in early.”

He looks all weird and I suddenly think I know why. “You’ve got a crush on this guy you’re going with! You’re sneaking up early together, aren’t you!”

“Feather is a girl, not a guy,” he says, looking away.

“Really? So how long has this been going on for? A girl? Seriously?” The last time Danny dated a girl was in about 2008!

He doesn’t say anything.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask. “I think it’s great you like someone. How long have you been seeing her for then?”

“Only a couple of weeks,” he mumbles.

“A couple of weeks!? And you didn’t tell me?” I feel a little betrayed.

He looks at me, his expression defensive. “Why didn’t I tell you? Because you’ve been going on and on about this bloody love potion and Jackson, and I haven’t been able to get a word in! I tried to tell you loads of times.”

Thinking back, I know he’s right. I’ve been a terrible friend! “Oh, my God babe, I’m so sorry! You’re totally right. I’ve been so preoccupied with my own stupid problems.”

“It’s ok, sweets. I know. And they’re not stupid. I understand. I’ve got something I need to tell you, actually. But I really, really have to go now!”

He blows me a kiss and hurries out of the door. I’m left shell-shocked. I can’t believe he’s been seeing someone, but all along, he’s been making time for me, helping me bake and get ready for dates, listening to me moan, reassuring me. And now he has something to tell me! What if he wants me to move out? Oh, no!

“Draco!” I yell. I need cuddles, and immediately. I put the kettle on and go look for my lazy so and so.

“Draco, where are you, you smelly dog?”

I freeze. He’s lying motionless on the floor next to my bed. I touch him and he whimpers. I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Oh Draco,” I whisper. “What’s up?”

He moves his head and looks at me. His poor old eyes wide and pained.

“Are you hurt you poor thing?”

I sink to the floor and cuddle him, stroking him gently with one hand, while scrolling down to the vet’s number in my phone with the other.