With every successful case to his name, this blessing became rarer.

“You know, in China sometimes the man orders for the woman,” said Cael.

The woman sitting across from him was a brunette in her mid-thirties. Her waist-length hair accentuated her incredible figure. They had met in the London College Library about a week before.

She raised an eyebrow in Cael’s direction. “You know, in England sometimes the woman kicks the man in the shins for being impatient with his date.”

“Touché,” said Cael, picking up his tumbler of whiskey. “Can I get you another drink?”

“Slow down, cowboy. Some of us have work in the morning.”

“What’s that like?” Cael asked.

“Painful. Soul-destroying.”

“Let me guess,” said Cael. “Teacher?”

“What gave it away?”

“Most people would be happy to be hung over at work. But being around kids is bad enough without a screeching headache to go with it.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Do I have to call you Miss Owen?” Cael asked.

“Kelly will do. Unless you try and order my food for me.”

“Feisty.”

“You’ll see. What do you do? Let me guess – teacher as well?”

When meeting women for the first time, Cael tried his best to conceal his true profession. Instead, he had a plethora of stories to use in case he couldn’t avoid the question. Tonight he was a magician.

“Afraid not. My coffee breath isn’t bad enough to be a teacher.”

Kelly laughed as her eyes scanned the menu for the nth time. Why do some people find it so difficult to choose something? Cael thought. “I’m a magician,” he lied.

Suddenly, Kelly’s eyes averted from her menu. She looked directly at him.

“No way. Get out of here,” she said.

“I know what you’re thinking – too good looking to be a magician, right?”

“I don’t believe you,” said Kelly. Cael had already anticipated her next comment. “Show me a trick,” she said.

“Alright,” said Cael, pulling out his phone. It glared 1 UNREAD MESSAGE but he avoided it for now. He opened his Notepad app and typed something. “When you’ve chosen your meal, let me know and I’ll show you something.”

“Fine,” she said. “I’ve decided.”

“Honestly?”

“Honestly.”

Cael slid his phone across to Kelly. She looked down at what he’d written.

He’d typed: CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH ZUCCHINI PASTA. Kelly looked at him in astonishment. She burst out laughing.

“Ha-ha. How did you know?”

“A real magician never reveals his secrets.”

“Oh, come on. Please. I’m one of those people who will keep pestering you until you tell me,” said Kelly.

Cael sat back in his chair and took a sip of his whiskey, prolonging the cruelty.