‘You need to hold on to the beliefs you have of love and marriage because you will find it; it will just take quite a bit longer than you’d hoped in your great plan of life. But, when you find the right one, you’ll have exactly what your parents have; just like you long for.’
I stopped the tape and looked at Clare then Elise. ‘Do you think she could be talking about Jason?’ I said. ‘And she mentioned my Life Plan. And my parents.’
Elise nodded but Clare just pulled a face that I knew meant, ‘what a pile of crap’.
‘Will you just press play, please,’ Clare said. ‘I don’t think we need to be analysing every sentence do we? And she didn’t say “life plan”. She said, “your great plan of life” which is very general and very different, so it is.’
‘You’re very close to your family. I see two mother figures in your life. Do you have a stepmother? No. Not a stepmother but definitely a mother figure. Godmother? I see her surrounded by flowers. Do you know who I’m talking about?’
‘My Auntie Kay. She owns Flowers on Castle Street. She’s my Godmother.’
‘I see. She’s a very important influence on your life, isn’t she? She’ll be pivotal in your life when you reach your thirties but I’ll come back to that later. We’ll return to the more immediate future for now. You’re going to university after college. You’re currently planning to become a teacher.’
‘Did Beth tell you that?’
‘No. As I said, the spirit world and the crystal are guiding me.’
Clare raised her hand and I pressed the stop button. ‘Well that was a load of old tosh, wasn’t it?’ She pointed at Elise. ‘She’s the teacher; not you.’
Elise and I exchanged looks.
‘It’s actually true,’ I said. ‘At the time the tape was made, I did want to be a teacher.’
‘But you did business studies. You wanted a job in marketing or PR like me.’
‘I know. But I used to want to be a teacher.’
‘Since when?’
‘Since I was little.’
‘We both wanted to be teachers,’ Elise said. ‘We were going to get jobs in Whitsborough Bay after uni. I wanted to be an English and drama teacher and Sarah was going to teach primary, but she did some work experience and got cold feet, didn’t you?’
I nodded. ‘After I got my A-level results, I went to the careers service in a panic and they helped me to get into Manchester through clearing. I thought studying business would help keep my options open and then I discovered marketing and loved it.’
‘Can’t imagine you as a teacher,’ Clare muttered. She held out her glass. ‘I need a top up.’
‘The bottle’s empty.’
‘Drink.’
I sighed and headed for the kitchen to reluctantly open a third bottle. I returned to a heated debate.
‘It’s lucky guesses,’ snapped Clare.
‘It isn’t. It’s a gift.’
‘Bollocks.’
‘That’s intelligent, Clare.’
‘It’s more intelligent than some charlatan pretending she can predict the future.’
‘Just because you don’t understand something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t true,’ Elise said.
‘And a few lucky guesses doesn’t mean it’s true either. Plus she said Sarah wanted to be a teacher when Sarah obviously didn’t want to be one so it’s not even accurate.’
‘At the time of the reading, Sarah did want to be a teacher. Or at least she thought she did. She did her placement after that. Besides, if we’re going to be pedantic about wording like you were over Sarah’s Life Plan, Madame Louisa said Sarah was planning to become a teacher; not that she wants to become one.’
‘You’re just trying to fit things to—’
They both stopped when I coughed loudly. Elise muttered ‘sorry’ and Clare just looked at me with sad eyes. I wasn’t sure if she was sad because she’d fought with Elise again or because I hadn’t shared my old career ambitions with her. At that precise moment, I didn’t really care which it was. It was about me for a change and they could either both accept that or leave. Without a word I topped up Clare’s glass then pressed play again.
‘You’re the sort of person who’ll always work hard and make sure they do their best in their career,’ [Madame Louisa said.] ‘You won’t become a teacher, but you’ll still go to university. After graduating, you’ll stay in the city where you studied, then move to London with work a few years later. The job will be great for a while, but some of your colleagues will move on and you’ll seriously think about leaving, possibly for a career change.’
‘Purlease,’ Clare said. ‘How vague was that?
I stopped the tape. ‘What?’ It came out a bit sharper and more impatient than I intended but it didn’t seem to faze Clare.
‘It’s vague,’ she said. ‘“You’ll stay in the city where you study”. I bet the vast majority of graduates either do that, go back home or move to London. She’s hedged her bets and gone for two out of the three. Colleagues leave all the time and doesn’t everyone think of changing career at some point too? She could just as easily be talking about me.’
‘In what way?’
‘Remember when we had a major restructure five years ago?’
‘Vaguely.’
‘Colleagues left, I got a new boss I hated and he didn’t put me forward for a job that should have been mine so I toyed with leaving. Exactly the same thing. It’s vague.’
‘It’s not vague,’ I said. ‘It’s accurate.’
‘It’s vague.’
She had a point. I wasn’t going to let her know that, though.
‘After many years of the same career in the same company, your auntie will play a pivotal role in your life when she offers you an opportunity, out of the blue, to make a fresh start and make a career out of something you love. It will be something completely different to what you’re used to and will enable you to use the creativity that your job stifled. The opportunity will be presented to you when you’ve reached a crossroads in your life and, even though you’re desperate for a change, you’ll feel like you shouldn’t take it. It will excite you and scare you at the same time. You’ll doubt you can do it, but you should know that you have what it takes to be an amazing success at it. [There was a pause.] Let’s move on to the other subject you wanted to discuss. Men was it?’
I pressed the stop button. ‘She’s talking about Auntie Kay’s proposal. Don’t you think so, Elise?’ I avoided eye contact with Clare. She was bound to have some opinion to the contrary.
Elise’s eyes flicked towards Clare. ‘Sounds like it to me, although I’m sure Clare will think differently.’
‘You’re not wrong there,’ Clare said.
‘Do you want to listen to this or should Elise and I wait until you’ve gone so we can listen to it in peace? Because I can put it off and we can get on with the packing if you prefer.’
‘I want to listen,’ Clare said. ‘It’s the bit about men coming up. This should be good.’ She rubbed her hands together again and winked at me. ‘Will you not press play?’
‘You haven’t had much success with men so far, but remember you’re still very young. University will be an awakening for you with many intelligent, interesting men. After a few dates leading to nothing concrete, a friend will become so much more and you’ll be together throughout university.’
I pressed stop and was about to say his name when someone beat me to it.
‘Andy?’ Clare said. She looked surprised as if she hadn’t meant to say it aloud. She quickly added, ‘I only said that because you were about to and not because I believe in anything she’s saying. Another lucky guess. Lots of relationships start with friendship.’
Nice back-peddling, Clare. She was right, though. It had to be Andy.
Feeling warm and fuzzy as I always did when I tho
ught about him, I pressed play again.
‘It will be an intense and passionate relationship. You’ll both think you’ve found The One and that you’ll always be together, but after university you’ll find yourselves living miles apart. It will be fine at first but then he’ll seem distant and keep cancelling plans to meet. You’ll feel like he just doesn’t care. Convinced he may be seeing someone else, you’ll confront him and end things. It will be very hard for you getting over him, but, over the years, the hurt will lessen and you’ll strike up a friendship again. You’ll often wonder about trying again, Sarah, but the timing will never be right; if you’re single, he’ll be in a relationship or working overseas and if he’s available, you won’t be.’
‘That’s definitely Andy and that’s frighteningly accurate,’ I whispered. I felt a bit shaky and sat on my hands to steady them. It couldn’t be a more accurate summary of Andy and me if I’d written it myself. ‘You can’t just say that’s a lucky guess, Clare, surely?’
‘I’ll admit it’s less vague than some of the other things, but — and it’s a big but — hasn’t everyone had a first love that they always wonder “what if…?” about? That’s basically all your woman there is saying.’
‘I disagree,’ Elise said.
‘You would.’
‘There will be a few more short-term relationships before you meet someone else who you think is The One. He may wear the uniform of your dreams, but he still isn’t The One for you. Unfortunately, it will take you quite a long time to realise this, but when you do finally admit it to yourself, the ending will be very quick and a whole new chapter in your life will start. This is the person I was talking about earlier.’
‘Will I ever get married? All I’ve ever wanted to do is get married.’
‘I know you have. I know you don’t want to end up alone like your uncle and you won’t. You’re nothing like him. In the new chapter of your life, you’ll get together with someone very special. He’ll have the looks and personality you’ve always hoped for and treat you with such care and respect. Would you like to know his name?’
‘Do you know it?’
‘Yes. It is Steven.’
‘Steven?’
‘Yes. But beware, Sarah, your grandma’s saying that it won’t all be plain-sailing. In this new chapter of your life, there’ll be lots of options presented to you and one key moment when you have to pick between two very special men — one who meant a lot in your past and one who means a lot in your present — forcing you to choose between the familiar and the unknown. Make sure you follow your heart, not your head. Following your heart will lead you to the true Steven.’
‘Can you tell me anything else about Steven? Where will I meet him? When? Will I know it’s him straightaway?’
‘I’m afraid your time’s up Sarah. All I’ll say is that your grandma’s telling me you won’t get together until you turn thirty and that you must be patient and remain hopeful.’
‘Thirty? That can’t be right; I’m getting married when I’m twenty-four.’
‘We’ll see, Sarah. I know that’s what your Life Plan says but life doesn’t always turn out as we plan. Enjoy the ride.’
‘Surely there’s something else you can tell me about Steven. How will I know it’s him? Steven’s a common name.’
‘The name isn’t that important. Your grandma says you’ll just know he’s The One. I’m going to give you this tape and I suggest you put it somewhere safe and listen to it on your own in a week or so when you can really think about what I’ve said. Or perhaps when you hit your crossroads and it finds its way back into your life.’
‘Okay. Thanks.’
‘Your grandma says night-night and to please send her love to her two little girls and her grandson. She also says your mum will be devastated in the future when she can’t find your grandma’s bracelet. It’s not lost. It’s under the sofa. Goodbye Sarah.’
‘Thanks again.’ [There were sounds of chairs screeching as I got up to head for the door.]
‘Oh, Sarah! Stop a moment. I’m getting a message through for you from the man I mentioned earlier. Your uncle.’
‘Uncle Alan?’
‘Yes. He says he’s so sorry that you were the one who found him. He’d give anything to not have scared you like that. He wants you to know that, although he may have been grumpy sometimes the time you spent with him meant so much to him, and… Sorry, Sarah, he’s gone now and this doesn’t make sense to me. He says he still has one every day, but now it’s a chocolate one. Do you know what he means?’
‘A digestive,’ [I whispered]. ‘A chocolate digestive.’
With very shaky hands I leaned forwards and pressed the stop button before slumping back against the bed. ‘There’s no way she could have made that up,’ I said. ‘No way at all.’
Chapter 7
* From Elise
Hope your 1st day at the shop goes well. I’ll call you when school finishes & pop by if you’re still there. So excited to have you home xx
* To Elise
Thanks :) Strange being back in my old room last night knowing I’m home for good. Listened to tape again. Search for Steven starts today! See you later xx
‘I still can’t believe you’re here,’ Auntie Kay said while we waited at the counter of The Chocolate Pot on Monday morning. ‘And so quickly. I’d have thought you’d have to work a month’s notice.’
‘I did too, but I’d just finished a campaign and my manager didn’t see the point in me starting another to just abandon it. Plus, I was owed a stack of holiday so she said I could just do a week.’
‘That was good of her.’ Auntie Kay paid, and then handed me a cup of hot chocolate and a bag with a croissant in it. ‘It saves a last minute rush before I fly.’
We headed slowly up Castle Street towards Flowers. I smiled as the early November sun warmed my face and breathed deeply to take in the fresh sea air. Instead of feeling stressed at the unknown that lay ahead, I felt content and relaxed. Definitely the right decision.
‘Good to be home?’ she asked.
‘So far, so good. It feels almost as if I never moved away.’
‘How did Clare take your news?’
‘She sulked all week but she was away on a training course so I didn’t really notice. She came round on Saturday and there were a few tricky moments, especially when Elise turned up a day early. She won’t admit it, but I think she’ll be lonely without me. She’s got lots of acquaintances, but I’d say I’m her only true friend. Does that sound big-headed?’
‘Not at all,’ Auntie Kay said. ‘I really liked Clare when I met her in that London, but I can imagine she isn’t the sort to make friends easily. Would I be right in thinking that women are jealous of her looks and men just want to get her into bed?’
‘Spot on.’
We arrived at Flowers. Auntie Kay handed me her drink and pastry while she rummaged in her bag. ‘You should get her up here as soon as you can,’ she said. ‘Make her feel like she’s part of your new life.’
I grinned. ‘Great minds. I’ve already invited her up for the weekend. She kept saying I have a new life and need time to settle in, but I finally convinced her. I just hope she doesn’t cancel on me.’
‘I’m sure she won’t, sweetie. She probably just needs a bit of time to herself to adjust to life without her best friend on her doorstep. Can’t be easy knowing that Elise is on your doorstep instead. They don’t get along do they?’
‘Never have done.’
‘Classic case of the green-eyed monster.’
‘Jealousy? Of what?’
‘You, of course. They’ve both been part of your life at key moments and both are jealous that they have to share you with the other.’
I mulled this over while Auntie Kay continued to rummage in her bag. It would certainly explain the ridiculous need to be the first to he
ar information and the constant snipes at each other. But it seemed so juvenile. ‘I just assumed it was a bit of a personality clash. Perhaps you’re right.’
‘I think there’s something in your theory too,’ she continued. ‘They’re definitely chalk and cheese and, in their case, I think opposites repel rather than attract. They are a great balance for you, sweetheart, because you’re somewhere in the middle. Gotcha!’ She finally found what she’d been rummaging for; a small bunch of keys attached to a plastic daisy. She handed them to me. ‘These are yours now. Are you going to open up?’
‘I’d be delighted to.’ I handed her the food and drinks and grinned as I unlocked the door to my shop. My shop! It didn’t feel real. The little bell tinkled delicately overhead as I pushed open the door and allowed Auntie Kay to step past me. She stooped down to pick up a small pile of post on her way, giving me my first clear view into the shop. I gasped. What the…? ‘Auntie Kay, what have you done? It’s empty.’
‘I know. Surprise!’
‘Why?’
‘Because I want you to make it yours and you wouldn’t do that if it had all my fittings in it. Now you have no choice but to start again and make it exactly what you want. Consider it your blank canvas.’
I looked for somewhere to dump my drink but she’d even had the counter ripped out. There was nothing except grubby-looking lino and bare white walls.
‘Say something,’ she said. ‘You’re making me nervous.’
‘I’m in shock. You said something about closing the shop for a month while I got sorted out but I assumed you meant opening a bank account and changing names with the suppliers. Not this.’ That earlier feeling of contentment and relaxation was replaced by a feeling of rising panic.
‘This isn’t quite the reaction I was expecting. I thought you’d be pleased.’
‘I am. Sorry. It’s just that there’s so much to do and I don’t know if I can afford it. I’ve only got a few grand in savings, which won’t go far. When Jason sells the car, I’ll get my share, but I don’t know when that will be.’
Searching for Steven (Whitsborough Bay Trilogy Book 1) Page 6
