Perfect Match. Amber Aitken

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      “We’re on two cases actually,” replied Nicks politely (although they’d never called it a ‘case’ before).

      “I’d love to hear more,” pleaded Zephyr.

      While Nicks felt that confidentiality was key to the Cupid Company, Coral clearly couldn’t wait to tell their new neighbour all about the trouble created by the flirtatious Cecily amongst the Spikers. She also ended up revealing how they hoped to help Cecily find true love, just as soon as they came up with a plan.

      Zephyr listened with obvious interest. And then she froze, held her breath and spoke out loud in a hurried sort of way. “I could help you to help Cecily find her lovebird!” she cried out. “I am, after all, a bit of an animal expert, and humans are nothing more than smart, civilised animals – or some of them are at least. Did you know that, just like humans, many animal species also use impressive courtship rituals to attract a partner? Take the male bowerbird, for example – he fills his nest with bright things like shells, coins and pebbles to attract the female’s attention. That’s his animal bling. Animals also like to dance, make special sounds, get touchy-feely and put on displays of beauty or fighting prowess to catch the fancy of a mate.”

      The girls thought about this for a few moments. And then they both leaned forward, interested enough to hear more.

      Zephyr leaned forward eagerly too. “It’s all about helping Cecily to connect with her animal instincts. I believe that right now she’s simply a confused young lady.”

      Nicks nodded in agreement. “Cecily really is nice enough.”

      Zephyr continued wisely. “You’ll need to find out more about Cecily before you can help her to find her lovebird.”

      Coral grinned. “We’re one step ahead of you. We already have a Cupid Company question naire which we hand out to all our new clients so that we can get to know them better.”

      Nicks reached for her butterfly clipboard, which just happened to have a questionnaire pinned to its front. She passed it to Zephyr, pleased that they were such an efficient, organised matchmaking company. Zephyr’s eyes zigzagged across the sheet.

      “Mmm, right,” she murmured as she read. “It’s not bad, but it needs some rewriting.” She slipped the clipboard’s pen from its holder and started scribbling, reading out loud as she wrote. “What is your favourite smell? What animal best describes you and why?”

      Coral nodded. She was usually open to new ideas, and she thought the revised questions could be useful. But Nicks did not look convinced.

      “Trust me,” said Zephyr with a wink. “The prairie vole, black vulture, wolf, barn owl, condor, bald eagle, gibbon ape… these are just some of the animals that mate for life. They have a lot to teach us.” Zephyr waved the revised questionnaire in the air. “Now all you have to do is ask Cecily to complete the questionnaire.”

      Nicks squinted into the sunlight and Coral scratched an itch.

      “Yes, about that…” she murmured.

      “Cecily hasn’t actually signed up to the Cupid Company yet,” explained Nicks.

      Zephyr bit her lip thoughtfully. “So Cecily might be quite happy dating all the Spikers?”

      “It’s just the boys she wants to date,” replied Coral optimistically. “And I don’t think she even knows all the trouble she’s causing.”

      Zephyr leaned back in her chair and took a long sip of kumquat tea. “There’s only one thing for it, girls. We’re going to have to sit that Cecily down and tell her all about the prairie voles, black vultures, wolves, barn owls, condors, bald eagles and gibbon apes.”

      Zephyr had said ‘we’, like she was a member of the Cupid Company too. Nicks’s eyes narrowed. She had a sudden and very strong suspicion. Something told her that they would be getting a lot more advice from their new neighbour in the future – whether they asked for it or not.

      Chapter 6

       Picture Perfect

      Back at Coral Hut, Nicks flipped through a set of recent photos of the Spikers. “Coral, I think that we should ask Jem and Em for their help,” said Nicks.

      “Amor,” replied Coral, “call me Amor.”

      Nicks sighed. “Why?”

      “Why?” Coral looked surprised. “Well, because I just don’t feel like a Coral any more.”

      Nicks had no idea what a Coral was supposed to feel like and so she decided to sidestep the subject altogether. Yes, this was her strategy: she would simply avoid calling Coral (or Amor) anything at all.

      “Well, erm, my friend, if we want Cecily to complete our questionnaire we’re going to have to come up with a plan.” Nicks stared dismally at the photographs. She compared them with earlier photos of the Spikers. These new photographs showed Rory, Duncan, Jasper and Jack snapping and snarling at each other. There really wasn’t one she could use in the local newspaper. It simply would not do.

      Coral noticed her friend’s frown and leaned over to take a look at the snapshots. And then she grinned and shouted out: “Einstein moment! Those are perfect.”

      “Perfect for the Halloween edition of the magazine!” snapped Nicks.

      “No, no, don’t you see! Compare the preCecily photographs of the Spikers with these latest ones and it’s all the proof we need to convince Cecily to sign up to the Cupid Company. She’ll soon realise that her outrageous flirting is splitting up the volley ball team. The evidence is there – in colour!”

      “And as head cheerleader she’s sure to have the school volleyball team’s best interests at heart,” added Nicks triumphantly. “You’re a genius, Coral. I mean, Amor.” She grabbed the questionnaire and photographs. “C’mon, I know exactly where to find Cecily.”

      Coral looked surprised. Nicks grinned. “It’s Thursday, isn’t it? Jack’s mum’s garden centre is just a few blocks away.”

      The Cupid Company (which had always included Romeo but now also included Miss Honey) stood tall and to attention. And then they marched, two by two, in the direction of Plants R Us.

      The entrance to the nursery was built to look like a cave, with fake rocks and dense fringes of plants that climbed, dangled and curled around each other. Inside the nursery there was just as much greenery, although it was planted in plastic pots laid out on sloping shelves. There were also rows of taller trees and bushes all clumped together. And in the far corner there was an outdoor section that sold things like small water fountains, garden statues, sun catchers, birdhouses and sundials.

      The Cupid Company slowed their pace and scanned the area before them. The only person about was a middle-aged woman who was more than likely Jack’s mum. Still, it wasn’t exactly a small nursery.

      Coral began tiptoeing forward.

      “Why are you walking like that?” whispered Nicks hoarsely, scanning the nursery nervously.

      “For exactly the same reason that you’re whispering,” replied Coral. “We need to find Jack and Cecily before they find us. Then you’ll СКАЧАТЬ