Cadenbury Town Does Halloween, page 1
CADENBURY TOWN DOES HALLOWEEN
E. BROOM
Copyright © 2024 by E. Broom
Cover by: Nicole Wells
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
NO AI/NO BOT. I do NOT consent to any Artifical Intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, machine learning, chatbot, or other automated analysis, generative process, or replication program to reproduce, mimic, remix, summarise, or otherwise replicate any part of this creative work, via any means: print, graphic, sculpture, multimedia, audio or other medium.
I support the right of humans to control their own artistic works.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my friend and fellow Broomie, Gordon Madura (Dunn), who retired from life in August.
CONTENTS
Cadenbury Town Does Halloween
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
About the Author
Also by E. Broom
CADENBURY TOWN DOES HALLOWEEN
Ernest Turnball is excited. It’s October which means it’s time to start building Halloween House. A haunted house open for two weeks, finishing on Halloween.
The whole town takes part, and visitors from far and wide come and visit, for the thrills and scares.
This year however Adhan Stone, town Mayor, Alpha and Ernest’s mate, decides to change things up and have a haunted farm, including the haunted house, haunted walk and a funfair, courtesy of their friends, Elliot and Madam Cleo.
But not everything is going to plan. Dark magic is messing things up and putting the witches and wolves in danger.
Will it be safer to close the event down, or keep it open and see what happens?
With the town looking on and enjoying the event, can the witches and wolves keep everyone safe, and receive perfect tens for the event?
CHAPTER 1
Isigh as my alarm sounds, pulling me rudely from my sleep. Not that I really care as I come more awake, I find myself in my favourite position, snuggled up against my wonderful silver fox, his arms around me, holding me close.
I use my magic to turn off the rude sound and feel Adhan move his head and kiss the back of my neck.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he says, lifting his lips long enough to talk before placing them back on my skin and kissing me around my neck.
I groan in pleasure and roll onto my stomach. Adhan moves over me, kissing me down my spine before getting down to the serious business of making love to me before we have to get up.
We walk into the kitchen later than normal, not that I care as we also had fun in the shower.
“Morning,” I say happily as we walk in. I look around and see we’re obviously not that late as everyone is seated at the table.
Little Connie is in Emily’s arms enjoying her bottle. Connie is such a sweetheart. She hardly ever cries and watches everything, as she is now. Not even having her bottle will stop her from watching.
I look around the table again and notice Justice isn’t there. I sit down and look at Alfred. “Did Justice get called out?” I ask, grabbing the coffee pot and pouring coffee for Adhan and myself.
Alfred nods. “Yeah, about half four this morning. I don’t like not waking up in my husband’s arms.”
Temp looks at him laughing. “You just like saying husband.”
Alfred nods and laughs “True,” he shakes his head. “I still can’t believe I’m married.”
“I still can’t believe you got married before all of us,” Ben says.
“That’s because you’re all slow. Just have a surprise wedding like me.”
“We could have a wedding in Halloween House,” Kean says looking at Titus.
“We are not having The Red Wedding,” Titus replies, scowling at him.
“How about recreating the wedding from Beetlejuice?” Nix says.
“Now that’s an idea,” Kean says happily, grinning at Tie.
“Only if you wear the red wedding dress,” Tie tells him. “I might say yes, just to see you in a dress, handsome.”
I’m not the only one who laughs at that.
“The house build starts today, doesn’t it?” Nix asks.
“It does,” Adhan confirmed. “We’re doing things differently this year.”
“We are?” Cam queries, looking surprised.
“I decided it was time for a change. I contacted Elliot last week.”
“Funfair Elliot?” Ben asks.
For Ben’s birthday earlier in the year, we all visited a funfair that was being held in a town close to here. At the time Temp’s magic was out of whack and Madam Cleo helped get his magic back to normal. We met Elliot after Ben wolfed out and Elliot used his magic to wipe people’s minds of seeing an angry wolf running around the fair. We stayed on after the fair closed and partied with the fair folk, not getting back home until it was either very late or very early, depending on your point of view.
Adhan nods. “I thought we could maybe have a few funfair stalls. It turns out Cleo wouldn’t let Elliot book anything for the whole of October, and he couldn’t figure out why. When I phoned, he realised this was where he was meant to be. So, we have the whole funfair troop turning up over the next week or so.”
“That should be fun,” Kean says, then looks confused. “But there isn’t enough land on the normal site.”
“We’re using the farm. The house is sound enough, and it has the land needed and good access. The bunker is warded so no one can get in there.”
“Is the house big enough though? We need secret rooms and tunnels,” Cam puts in.
“If it isn’t, we can help make it bigger,” I offer.
My silver fox smiles at me. “Thank you, sweetheart. We’ll take you up on that, but the decorating will be done by hand. If this event turns out well, we could see about keeping it there. I’m sure next year, we could ask the circus folk to join in as well.”
“I hope Elliot has a ghost train,” Ben says.
“He has. I’d not even thought of that, but Elliot mentioned he had one and would bring it,” Adhan replied. “There is also going to be a haunted walk and whatever else I can think of.”
“I can’t wait to see it all. In all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve never walked the haunted house. Now I get to do it with my brothers and Kean,” says Titus smiling at his brothers and leaning into Kean’s side.
“Yeah, we have to walk it as brothers, then you can walk it with Kean,” Cassie says.
“Good plan,” Temp says. “This is going to be so much fun.”
I’m not the only one who laughs at that. We should take bets on what Temp will do because he’s going to do something. Mind you, saying that, I’m pretty sure all of us witches will do something. This is going to be epic.
CHAPTER 2
I’m opening the bookshop myself this morning. Pa is coming in later and Alfred will be in around lunchtime as it’s his day to cover the evening meetings.
“Morning shop,” I say happily as I walk in. It’s crazy but I swear the shop smiles when I say, ‘morning’ or ‘night’ when I’m opening or closing.
I turn the lights on and walk to the counter, put my bag underneath and smile as I look around. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine this life. I thought I was destined to work in an office for the whole of my working life. The best thing I ever did was throw a latte in my manager’s face and get fired. I mean, if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be a true witch, I wouldn’t have met the love of my life, have lots of brothers, and live in this amazing town. And the best part, I get to work with my Pa every day.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when the door opens, and Callum comes bouncing in.
“Morning, Ernest,” he says happily, making a detour over to me.
“Hey, Callum. You look extra happy today.” Since Callum has been with Clarence, he is always smiling.
“I am. I seriously can’t believe that Clarence loves me as much as I love him. I also have my brother and niece in my life and I have friends.”
“Believe it, my friend, our lives are awesome. Plus, the Halloween House building starts today.”
Callum grins. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“Me either. You know you can come and help set it up, right?” I tell him.
“Really? I’d like that. Now I
“You’re my new favourite, Callum.”
Callum laughs. “I promise not to tell Clarence.”
I burst out laughing. “Yeah, best not.”
I’m kept busy this morning, helping customers and chatting to anyone who comes in. I pause a few times as I feel weird, but it’s nothing serious I hope, so I ignore the feeling and carry on.
My Pa comes in just before his shift starts. He’s scowling which is never a good sign.
“Pa, what’s wrong?” I ask in concern.
“What’s wrong, you ask? Let me tell you what’s wrong. I’m divorcing your Ma,” he tells me, walking up to the counter.
“Sure you are.” The day Pa divorces Ma is the day I do actually cut them both out of my life. “What did Ma do?”
“Your Ma decided to practice her magic. As you know she currently has Constance’s spell book. Your Ma decided to pick a spell and have a go.”
I laugh. Ma has an issue with spells, she can do basic things but nothing complicated. “What happened?”
“I have no idea what was supposed to happen, but you know that scene in Bedknobs and Broomsticks where the clothes all come alive and start dancing? That happened.”
I burst out laughing at the image of my parents dancing with their clothes.
“You can laugh, it wasn’t funny. Your Ma tried to stop the spell and the furniture started dancing.”
I hold my side I’m laughing so hard. I see my Pa’s lips twitching. “OMG, stop please,” I wheeze out.
“We had to phone Mollyanne in the end. She came over and put everything to rights. Your Ma is now banned from trying Constance’s spells unless someone magical is with her,” finally he laughs. “I don’t think I have ever seen Molly laugh so hard. I got pictures and videos of everything. I’ll show you first and then send them to you and Temp.”
“Why didn’t you phone me? I would have come and helped,” I say, wiping my eyes.
“And brought everyone with you. Your Ma didn’t want everyone laughing at her. Here look,” he says, taking his phone out of his pocket and clicking through it before handing it to me.
I laugh as I flick through the photos and video, but now I have an idea. We could have a flying clothes room in Halloween House. “You need to show this to Adhan. We need this in a room at the Halloween House.”
“I’ll show him when he comes in later.”
“I’m not sure he’ll be in today. They’re all out at the farm, starting to get everything ready.”
My Pa laughs and shakes his head. “He’ll be in. No matter where he is or how busy he is, he always makes the time to see you. I’m going to get coffee and cake. I’ll bring you something back, and send these to you and Temp,” he says, plucking his phone out of my hand and heading for the tearoom.
I sigh happily, he’s right, Adhan always makes time to come and see me. I pull my phone out and message my Ma.
I’m disappointed in you Ma.
I hit send and wait for her reply. A moment later I get a message from Temp.
I love your mum.
I laugh, everyone loves my Ma.
Can you believe she didn’t call me last night to help as she thought I would bring you all with me and we would laugh at her?
I hit send, and while I’m waiting for his reply and as there is no one near the counter, I scroll through the town chat.
This was a totally ingenious idea I had, of getting the whole town connected. It saves time sending newsletters out and now everyone is up on all the gossip. We have the large town one, but a lot of smaller ones. My latest one is the Cadenbury Drama Society. Not long ago they had a meeting in the tearoom. I told them my idea of the town putting on Wicked and they loved the idea, they voted me in then and there as the new Chairperson and now Clay Dempsey is helping me write the script.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when my phone pings and I see I have a reply from Temp.
We would have totally laughed.
There is another ping, this time from my Ma.
I’ve been disappointed in you for years. It was time I shared the feeling.
I snort and send a message back.
Love you too Ma x
“Are you annoying your Ma?” Pa asks, walking in carrying a large mug of hopefully latte for me, but no cake.
“Always. Plus, I got a message from Temp, laughing at Ma,” I reply, taking my mug from Pa. I’ve just taken a happy sip when the door opens and Sal, Justice and Alfred come walking in, laughing as they do.
“You all look happy,” Pa says, smiling their way.
“We were talking about Jodie and what happened last night,” Alfred says.
“She told you?” I ask in surprise.
“Molly did. She came into Shattered Glass to see how your mum was after last night and told us all about it,” Sal says.
“But have you seen the pictures and the video?” Pa asks.
“There’s a video?” Alfred asks, practically bouncing.
“There is. Come into the tearoom and I’ll show you. Ernest can cover things,” and with that Pa whisks everyone away to show them said pictures and videos. I shake my head as he leaves me to cover things.
CHAPTER 3
Adhan comes into the shop early afternoon and takes me to Penn’s for lunch.
“How’s my favourite person?” Penn asks with a laugh, pulling me into a hug.
I laugh and hug him back. “Should I not be your second favourite person?”
“Third at least,” Adhan puts in. “It should be Sage, then me, then Ernest.”
“Sorry Ad, Ernest has jumped to number two.”
Adhan laughs. “Fine, I’ll take the third spot,” he says as Penn leads us to our table.
I say our table because we always sit at this one. It’s a nice romantic seat next to each other table.
“So why have I jumped up to your favourite person?” I ask.
“Sage was chatting to Clay Dempsey yesterday,” Penn started.
“And Sage found out we’re putting on a play next year,” I conclude.
“Exactly. He’s so excited to be able to sing on stage again.”
“Sage has the most amazing voice,” Adhan tells me. “If he hadn’t been a chef, he would probably be lighting up the West End.”
“I can’t wait to hear him. The play is going to be amazing. But before that, we have Halloween to sort out.”
“Ah yes, that starts today. I’ve heard you’re changing it up this year,” Penn says to Adhan.
“I am indeed. We’ve moved it to the old Morris farm. We have a funfair coming and other fun things to prepare.”
“It will be epic,” I put in.
“I can’t wait to see it all. Now, here are your menus. The dish of the day is pork chop parcels with roasted veg. The pie of the day is chicken and mushroom, and the soup of the day is French Onion. What can I get you to drink?”
“Just an orange juice for me please, Penn,” I say.
“The same for me, thanks.”
“Thank you, gentlemen, I’ll bring your drinks over momentarily,” and with that Penn walks off to put our drinks order in.
I lean into Adhan’s side and smile. “This is nice. Thank you for bringing me here.”
Adhan drops a kiss on my head. “I wanted you to myself.”
I turn to him and laugh. “So you brought me to a restaurant? We could have got something from the bakers and taken it home.”
“We could have, sweetheart, but then we would have spent the rest of the day in bed.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
Adhan laughs. “No, sweetheart, but I wanted you to come out to the farm with me after lunch and work your magic on the house.”
“See we could have had lunch in bed and then after an afternoon of lovemaking we could have gone to the farm, or you know, you could have asked one of the other true witches to help while we had fun, just you and me, alone, in our room, with no one around, naked and in bed.”
I see Adhan’s blue eyes darken with passion and he pulls me into a kiss.
Not being stupid I happily kiss him back, and then remember we’re in the restaurant and others are around. I temper the kiss and slowly pull back.
