Return from the birthday dinner an unforgettable night.
Tonight Im writing from my flat in London after a long, tiring evening. James and I had just left The Ivy, where his friends and a few colleagues had gathered to celebrate his birthday. The room was packed, laughter ringing everywhere. I recognized many faces, but there were several strangers too James must have thought it worth inviting them.
Im not the sort to challenge Jamess choices; I prefer to keep the peace rather than argue. Its easier to go along than to try to prove Im right.
Emma, have you seen the keys? Could you grab them? James asked.
I fished around my handbag, feeling a sudden sting that made me drop the bag on the floor.
What happened? he asked.
Ive scratched myself on something.
Your bags a maze, so its no surprise you get lost in it.
I didnt argue. I lifted the bag, gently extracted the keys, and we slipped inside. By the time we were back, Id forgotten the little prick. My legs ached from standing, and all I could think of was a hot shower and a soft bed. By morning the pain in my hand had worsened; my finger was red and swollen. The memory of last nights mishap floated back, and curiosity drove me to rummage through my bag again. At the bottom I discovered a large, rusted needle.
What on earth? I muttered, bewildered by how it got there. I tossed the needle into the bin, fetched some antiseptic, cleaned the wound and headed to work. By noon a fever began to climb.
I called James: Love, Im not sure what to do. I think I caught something nasty yesterday. Ive got a fever, a throbbing head, the whole body aches. Imagine I found a big rusty needle in my bag and I think thats what pricked me.
Maybe you should see a doctor, he replied. It could be tetanus or an infection.
Dont overreact. Ive dressed it, Ill be fine.
But the hours only made me feel weaker. I barely made it through the afternoon, then ordered a taxi home because the bus would be too exhausting. I collapsed onto the sofa and drifted off.
In my sleep I saw my late grandmother Margaret, who passed when I was a child. I had no idea why I recognized her, but I felt certain it was her. She was stooped, her hair a silver cloud, the sort of figure that could scare anyone, yet I sensed she meant to help.
Grandma led me through a field, pointing out herbs to gather, insisting I brew a tea to cleanse my body. She warned that someone was trying to harm me, and that I needed to survive to fight back. Time was short.
I woke sweating, convinced Id slept for hours, but a glance at the clock showed only a few minutes had passed. The front door slammed open James was back. I slipped off the sofa and shuffled into the hallway. He stopped dead, eyes wide.
Whats happened? Look at yourself in the mirror.
I stared at the reflection. Yesterday Id seen a bright, smiling face; now my hair hung in limp strands, dark circles framed my eyes, my skin looked ashen, and my gaze was empty.
James, I dreamed of Grandma. She told me what to do
Get dressed, were going to the hospital.
No, Grandma said the doctors wont help.
A fierce argument erupted. James called me crazy, accusing me of feverinduced fantasies. It was the first time wed truly shouted at each other. He tried to force the car out of the garage, grabbing my arm.
If you wont go willingly, Ill make you, he snarled.
I broke free, lost my balance, and slammed into the corner of a cupboard. Angrily, James grabbed his bag, slammed the door and stormed out. I managed only to email my boss, saying I was ill and needed a few days off.
He returned after midnight, apologising, but I could only reply, Take me to the village where Grandma lived tomorrow.
The next morning I resembled a walking corpse more than a healthy woman. James kept pleading, Emma, dont be foolish, lets go to the hospital. I cant lose you.
We drove to the village, though I could only recall its name. Our family had sold the old cottage after my parents death, and Id never been back. I slept through the journey, waking just as we neared the edge of the village.
This is it, I whispered.
I got out, collapsed onto the grass, certain I was where Grandma had guided me. I gathered the herbs shed described and we returned home. James brewed the infusion exactly as Id instructed. I sipped it slowly, feeling a gradual lift.
As I rose from the bathroom, I noticed the urine was dark, almost black. It didnt frighten me; it reminded me of Grandmas words: The darkness will pass
That night Grandma appeared again, smiling, then spoke.
The cursed needle you found cast a spell on you. My tea will give you strength, but only briefly. You must discover who placed the curse and repay them. I dont know who it was, but its connected to your husband. If you hadnt thrown the needle away, I could have told you more.
Do this: buy a pack of needles, and over the largest one say, Spirits of the night, hear me! Reveal the truth, help me find my enemy Slip that needle into Jamess bag. The one who cursed you will prick themselves on it, and well learn their name, so we can return the evil.
Grandmas figure faded like mist.
I awoke still feeling poorly, but certain I would recover. I knew Grandma was looking after me. James decided to stay home and tend to me, surprised when I asked to go to the shop alone.
Emma, youre barely on your feet. Ill come with you, he said.
James, make me a soup; I have a massive appetite after all this.
I followed the instructions Grandma had given me in the dream. Later that evening the enchanted needle was in Jamess bag. Before bed he asked, Are you sure you can manage on your own? Should I stay?
Ill be fine, I answered.
My condition improved, yet I sensed the lingering evil. The third days brew acted like an antidote, weakening the curse. I waited impatiently for James to finish work. When he walked in, the first thing I asked was, How was your day?
It was fine, why do you ask? he replied.
I thought the ordeal was over, but then he added, Imagine this: today Iwona a colleague from the next department tried to help me get the keys to my office because my hands were full. She reached into my bag and pricked herself on a needle. Where did that needle come from? She stared at me so fiercely I thought she could kill me with a glance.
Whats this Iwona? I asked.
Emma, youre the only one who matters to me. I love only you.
Was she at your birthday dinner?
Yes, shes a good friend, nothing more.
Suddenly everything clicked. I understood how the old needle had ended up in my bag. James went to the kitchen where dinner waited. That night Grandma showed me how to return the evil to Iwona. She explained that Iwona wanted to oust me, to take my place beside James. If she failed, shed resort to magic again. Shed stop at nothing.
I did exactly as Grandma instructed. Soon James told me Iwona had taken sick leave, claiming she was gravely ill and doctors were helpless.
I begged James to drive me to the village over the weekend, to the cemetery where I hadnt been since Grandmas funeral. I bought a bouquet, packed gloves, and trudged through the overgrown grass to find Margarets grave. On the headstone was a photograph of the woman who had visited me in dreams she had saved me from death. I tidied the grave, placed the flowers in a bottle of water, and sat on the bench, speaking aloud:
Grandma, Im sorry I didnt come sooner. I thought visiting once a year was enough. I was wrong. Ill be here more often. If it werent for you, I probably wouldnt be here now.
I felt a gentle pressure on my shoulders, as if Grandmas hands rested there. I turned, but there was only a soft breeze.
The night deepened, and for the first time in weeks I truly felt the weight lifting. I know the path ahead is still uncertain, but I finally believe Ive faced the darkness and found a way through.
