‘Well, plenty of people do, around here,’ Holly replied. ‘Otherwise I’d be out of business. Anyway, Willowbury decided about thirty or so years ago, when the town was a bit more run-down and a bit less wealthy, to try to cash in on this huge amount of spiritual energy. Hence, Willowfest was born.’

‘Is it anything like the Reading Festival?’ Charlie asked, shuddering at the prospect of mud-soaked tents and acres of lost wellies.

Holly laughed. ‘Well, there’s music, but it’s on a much smaller scale. Although the guy who first came up with the idea, Alan Somerville, aspires to make it big enough to rival festivals like that one day.’

‘Alan Somerville? Wasn’t he the lead singer of that seventies prog rock band?’ Charlie wrinkled his brow.

‘Yup. The very same. Wrote several of his biggest hit albums while living in Willowbury, in fact. Claims the ley lines allow him to tap into a deep and abiding spirituality that gets somewhat, er, diluted by the more commercial aims of the music business these days.’

‘He’s never been asked to headline the O2 Arena, then?’ Charlie asked playfully.

Holly laughed. ‘Not so far as I know. But he lives in hope. Although I think he quite likes being a big fish in this small Willowbury pond, anyway.’

‘So, what am I to expect of Willowfest?’ Charlie asked.

‘Why don’t you let me show you,’ Holly murmured. ‘Come and be my date for it.’ She drew in closer to him. ‘It starts on the Saturday morning and winds down on Sunday afternoon.’

Charlie smiled. ‘That sounds great, and just what I’ll need after a few days back in London.’ He paused momentarily. ‘I know I’ve got something constituency-based happening on that Friday night in Stavenham, but how about I come over first thing Saturday morning and we can, er, catch up a bit? Then you can show me exactly what Willowfest is all about.’

‘Sounds good.’ They’d reached the front door of ComIncense again, and Holly paused. ‘I look forward to it.’

‘Me too,’ Charlie replied. Then he dipped his head and kissed her again. ‘I’ll see you soon.’

‘I can’t wait,’ Holly said, insides churning again.

As Charlie left, Holly, knowing that she had the most ridiculous grin plastered on her face, pushed open the shop door.

‘I take it you two have made it up, then?’ Rachel asked as she clocked the look on her sister’s face.

‘You could say that,’ Holly grinned. ‘Although, considering Charlie’s just agreed to be my date for Willowfest, how long for, I really don’t know!’

‘Does he know what he’s letting himself in for?’ Rachel laughed. ‘It’s probably a bit more, er, alternative than he’s used to.’

‘I did tell him about some of it,’ Holly replied, ‘but I think it’s probably best he experiences it for himself.’