Ada was delighted that Hecate had started taking a weekend off every month to recharge. Her deputy became more even tempered and less stressed and Ada asked no questions. They still had tea at twilight most comfortably together. It was none of her business what Hecate did in her spare time.

Every time she flew to their meeting point, Hecate wondered at her new double life. At first she'd hated betraying Ada, even if Ada hadn't known it. But before long, she knew that meeting Agatha was the balm to her soul that she hadn't known she'd needed and she berated herself for not realising it sooner. With her, she could relax and give herself over to her whims, even if it meant arguing to her heart's desire. With Ada she always had to curb outspoken behaviour out of respect for her position but with Agatha, she could be as insolent as she wanted. She'd never had this kind of freedom before. After their third meeting, Agatha had started taking her out for the day. It felt unreal to leave her hair free, to saunter in the sun eating ice cream (she'd only tasted it once before) or to browse a market and listen to live music. At first she felt self-conscious but Agatha soon distracted her with other things. The other woman had finally got the hang of living a non-magical life and took her places she'd never imagined. Before this, she'd never thought she'd even want to. She'd been shielding herself from the outside world for too long. Agatha played the gentleman, opening doors and holding out chairs for her. Normally wary of such chivalry, Hecate slowly relaxed into being looked after.

Five months had gone by before Agatha had let her stay over at her swanky penthouse flat. Agatha wouldn't admit that she'd been waiting to see what would come of their arrangement and if she would allow Hecate to cross a very important boundary. No client was allowed into her sanctuary. But this was no ordinary client. Agatha would do anything for this woman. She'd come a long way from the uptight, frightened creature she had been. She still trembled at Agatha's touch but not for the same reason as before. Bit by it, she'd slowly allowed herself to unravel and tentatively enjoy it. Each meeting started the same, she, shy and demure as Agatha strode towards her possessively. She always kept Hecate waiting. Only by five minutes. Any more than that and it would be rude. For Hecate, it heightened her anticipation. Each time they would play this game and each time Agatha would choose a different direction to approach her, sometimes making sure she was spotted and sometimes creeping up behind her.

Hecate kept Agatha working hard to find out what made her tick, partly because she didn't how to direct it. She'd not had the opportunity to find out. How could she, alone in her bed every night with only her tentative fingers to keep her company? Agatha relished the challenge more than usual and found inventive ways to keep her client on her toes. The first time she'd thrown a cushion down in front of her armchair and told Hecate to get on her knees and she'd better do a good job, the defiant expression on the woman's face made Agatha enjoy it even more when she finally did as she was told. And oh, did she do a good job. Agatha was all the more impressed with her improvisation because although she had intended to teach a few tricks, Miss Hardbroom had the makings of a splendid oralist.

Hecate made a startling request on the third meeting and broke her rule of mentioning Ada. Agatha could see it coming. It hadn't taken her long to note the other woman's mannerisms. Hecate had retreated into herself for a few minutes. That pinched expression and the drawn shoulders signified her anxiety. Agatha tried to distract her with a tickle of a finger on the back of her neck.

'My dear, I'd prefer it if you shared your concern with me. I'd find it easier to look after you that way.'

Hecate sighed and turned to her. In a clipped tone, she explained that she was starting to confuse Ada with Agatha.

'I got too close to her the other day. I almost touched her hair.'

A few months ago Agatha would have cruelly taunted her; felt vindictive pleasure in deceiving her sister and the causal bitterness at knowing she hadn't been first choice, the story of her life. Now she felt sympathy for the woman caught between two sisters. Hecate yearned for Ada but the version of Ada she wanted didn't exist.

'I've never been this spoiled before. Both of you look after me so well.'

'It's a shame that we can't be just one person so you can have everything.'

Hecate had expected to be mocked for it but Agatha's tone was soft, free of any of her usual spite. Her eyes echoed that as she stroked that long raven hair.

'Tell me what you need.'

She knew what Hecate wanted but she needed to say it. She was trying to break her of this habit of not expressing herself. She waited.

'I need you to look different' Hecate blurted out.

'Good girl.' She leaned forward and kissed her on the temple. 'All you had to do was ask.'

Hecate blushed and Agatha knew she had her right where she wanted her.

That Saturday she gave Hecate a massage by the light of the midnight moon; throwing her face down on the bed and anchoring her hips with her own, making sure that Hecate didn't associate it with her sister. She'd sort out the appearance issue later. And decide how she was going to tease her with that praise kink Miss Hardbroom obviously had.

The next month, Hecate almost didn't recognise the woman who greeted her at the customary five minutes late. Her hair was dyed chestnut and tousled into loose curls. Her eyes gleamed a brighter blue and she wore a black wrap dress with a leopard print jacket. Hecate couldn't keep her eyes off of her.

'Request granted.'

Hecate wondered what had happened in the world for that triumphant smile to cease to be vicious. She now saw something of the carefree person Agatha used to be, a long time ago before her heart had hardened under the weight of her machinations.

'You look…marvellous.'

Agatha raised an eyebrow. Praise indeed.

On their Saturday evening, Hecate was given licence to command whatever fantasy she'd chosen that month. Agatha had a knack of sensing what mood her client was in and effortlessly manoeuvred them into more exciting ways to fulfil it. This Saturday she'd ended up halfway arched backwards onto the armchair, Agatha straddling her and teasing the pressure inbetween her legs. She felt lightheaded and knew the result was going to knock her out hard but her head and neck were comfortable, the double shag pile was kind to her knees and she had lost all care for control and settled for happily enjoying the hurtle towards oblivion. At the last minute she tensed up and didn't get the desired climax. She apologised until Agatha caught her disappointment and tossed it aside as she laid herself down on the rug, freed Hecate's legs and slipped between them to finish her off with her tongue. Agatha smiled delightedly when it had taken only a matter of minutes to get there. She did like a happy client.

She was exhausted when she sank into the hot bath, Agatha sliding in behind her and winding that glorious hair up, all the better to rest her head on her shoulder for. Hecate traced her fingers up and down the legs either side of her and forgot what day it was again. She quietly thanked her hostess for acceding to her request. Agatha had understood what it meant to her and complied.

'Wear what I give you next month. I do like to see your legs in that outfit' was Agatha's response. She'd bought Hecate a slinky black jumpsuit that day and surprisingly, Hecate thought she would enjoy wearing something so different. She promised.