The two are reconnected through tragedy when Sally’s husband dies, and Gilly drives through the night to be with her. Overwhelmed by grief, Sally stays in bed, and Gilly, ever the tonic to her soul, hops in with her.

Long talks lead to laughter, tears and tales, as even in the depths of her despair and heartache, Gilly brings out the glimmers of happiness for Sally again. Under the covers, she also encourages Sally to: “Get up, get dressed and brush your god damn teeth as your breath stinks… and take care of those little girls.”

It captures the wonderful power that true friends hold to sit with us during the darkest times and strike the much-needed balance of comfort, support and laughter, before gently pushing us back out into the world again.

Though my friends and I have never dressed in all-black, jumped off a roof with broomsticks or performed an exorcism, I have no doubt the women in my life would show up for me in difficult times, as Gillian and Sally do for each other.

Their bond is tested once again, as Gilly’s abusive boyfriend captures her when she tries to leave him with Sally. The women have to drug Jimmy with belladonna in order to overpower him, as he threatens to brand her with his ring and starts to choke her.

As the belladonna kicks in, it’s clear in their panic that they’ve given him too much and have accidentally killed Jimmy. Though none of us are too sad to see him go, Gilly and Sally try to revive him from the dead to correct their mistake. Yet, as warned, this dark magic somehow creates a nastier, more demonic version of the abuser, and even after death, he won’t leave Gillian alone.

Practical Magic: the timeless healing power of sisterhood