“Oh, well,” Tess said brightly, although her mind was whirring like the rotary – because perhaps a potioneer starting out would have more competitive prices than their usual potions expenses, and so Tess could use this as a practical excuse to wilfully support another working woman in business for her own reasons (Fabian was always looking for ways to second-guess her decisions, she knew)?

“We could be in the market for a new supplier. We need all sorts of potions, cleaning solutions, the like. Ink, you know,” she said wryly, with a grin. “It gets everywhere.”

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