Chapter fifteen.

Ayla sneezed and sneezed and sneezed. It was the day before New Year's Eve and she had a cold. Just her luck. She downed another shot of pepper-up potion and scrutinized her appearance in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were blood shot and had large, luggage sized bags underneath them. Her hair was doing an alarmingly good impression of a bird's nest, and her face was blotchy. Best of all her nose was bright red, and continually running. Very attractive. She knocked back some more potion, she was pretty sure you weren't required to measure out doses of the stuff. And what she'd had so far hadn't really made much of a difference anyway.

She sneezed again and steam spouted out of her ears, adding to her current dripping beauty. On the plus side she could breathe properly again, which was always useful. But she still felt awful. Well then, she thought to herself, time to get out the cauldron.

Within twenty minutes Ayla was stood over her large steaming cauldron in the middle of her kitchen. She had thrown in every ingredient she could think of. Mint, eucalyptus, camomile, belladonna and even a few others from the store cupboard which were no longer recognisable, but no doubt useful. It was now decision time, should she simply inhale the vapours from her magical concoction? They did seem to be working. She definitely felt relaxed, must be the belladonna, and her skin looked a lot less blotchy. Or should she drink it? If the vapours had done her so much good, surely drinking it would be even more beneficial? Unless of course it killed her. She knew she didn't have a spare bezoar around. Was it worth the risk? If only her cousin Kate were around, she'd be the perfect person to test it on. Trusting, gullible and so annoying that if she did pop her clogs it would be no great loss. Ayla continued to inhale the fumes, always best to stick to the safe option. She waved her wand over the bubbling liquid, hoping her wand would be able to unmask the mystery ingredients. She then opened her recipe book to deposit the information, should she ever need it again.

That done she vanished the liquid, which was now beginning to congeal, and headed off to bed. Maybe sleep would help her aching joints? She slept the night through and half of the next day too. She woke the next afternoon feeling refreshed and a whole lot better. All thanks to her marvellous medicine. And it was New Year's Eve, which meant one thing. Party.
She and Sarah would be having drinks with a few friends at Sarah's gorgeous house, before heading off to a muggle club for the countdown. Ayla loved New Year, it always meant a new beginning. Something she wanted badly but never actually got round to doing. Maybe this year would be different?

This party was going to be different at least. It was a girl's night out, so if she saw Oliver, which wasn't at all likely, she was forbidden to talk to him. Which annoyed Ayla. Not that she would see him. Probably. It was also going to be different because Ayla wasn't going to be drinking. Sarah had made her promise. It didn't really matter, she didn't need a drink to have a good time. Plus it meant she was less likely to make a fool of herself.

Which was one of the reasons she secretly hoped she would see Oliver. She'd be poised, elegant, the picture of grace and maturity, the perfect woman. In short she'd be sober.

Also she hadn't seen or heard from him since Christmas Eve. She was used to seeing him at least once a week. It felt strange not having him around. Not that she lived purely for his visits of course. She wasn't some silly school girl. But she was alone. Something she had become very aware of these past few weeks. Sarah was married and expecting a baby, things were going to change between them pretty soon. They'd still be friends, but Sarah would have someone who was completely dependant on her. Other than Ayla.

All of her friends were married or involved with someone in some way. As were her family. But she was alone. Except for her kneazle, who had disappeared Christmas eve, probably angry at Ayla. No wait, that was stupid. Jynx was probably with another family somewhere. Or with another cat. Now that was depressing. Her pet had a better love life than she did. Ayla flopped down on the sofa, suddenly overcome with the need to lie down and just feel sorry for herself. What a brilliant way to celebrate the New Year she thought. Alone, with no-one to love and no cat, just a lump on the sofa.

Sarah's owl flew in through the window and landed, as usual, on Ayla's head. Did the bird think that this was some sign of affection? Ayla took the red envelope from it, the bird hopped down onto her stomach for her to read the letter. She didn't need to read it, it was a Howler.

"Get your backside out of bed and get over here! It's New Year!"

Ayla laughed, only Sarah would send a Howler to wish someone a Happy New Year. She got up, gathered her stuff together and floo'd to Sarah's, determined to enjoy the night no matter what happened. The future was the future, and she'd deal with it when she got there.

Sarah's house was spectacular. There was no other word for it. The place was covered, top to bottom, in festive decorations. Balloons, streamers and lots and lots of food. Ayla dived at the table in front of her. Every inch of it was covered in food. She was suddenly aware that she hadn't eaten since the day before. She had a lot of catching up to do, and wasted no time getting started. Five minutes after she had begun to shovel food down her throat Ayla had made a considerable dent in the amount of food that was left for the guests. Sarah came in and snorted at Ayla's behaviour. Ayla on the other hand ignored her and carried on eating.

"You know that food's for everyone right?"

Ayla nodded, she knew. She just didn't care.

"Did your parents starve you over Christmas?"

Ayla shook her head and stopped long enough to hold a decent two way conversation.

"No, I'm just hungry. Didn't eat much yesterday. This is good!"

She started eating again. The food really was too good not to eat. Once she had stuffed herself she figured the only polite thing to now do was join the rest of the girls. Everyone would be there already, she was almost always late and always the last person to arrive, even when she was on time. Still there was nothing wrong with being consistent.

The living room was just s decorated and as festive as the kitchen. Balloons floated way above their heads, bobbing against the high ceilings. Ayla would never be able to get over how huge her friend's house actually was. The living room was roughly the same size as Ayla's small, but comfortable, house and was almost filled to bursting point with her friends. It would be a good night. With or without Wood.

Although it would be nice if he unexpectedly turned up and asked her to dance. And kissed her again. She raised her hand to her lips, remembering how soft his kiss had been. Unfortunately at that same moment her friend, Terri accidentally jogged Ayla's arm. Instead of the gentle touch she had intended, Ayla found she was smacking herself in the mouth. She allowed herself a foolish grin, before hurrying to the mirror to check the damage. Her top lip was swelling to nearly twice it's normal size. She hoped to Merlin that she wouldn't see Oliver tonight after all.