Here for the Seer

by Andie M. Long

  He looked at the floor and scuffed one trainer against another. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Shelley. There’s just something about her rubs me up the wrong way.”

  “Well we need to get you two rubbing up together the right way.”

  His eyes went wide, and I realised what I’d said.

  “Oh is that the time? I need to be at Jax’s. Excuse me, Henry.” I dashed from the room before I said anything else embarrassing.

  After spending ten minutes working out getting Charlie in her car seat into the taxi, we were on our way. Ebony had gone quiet.

  “Ignore what Henry said. He’s just being a dick because of you getting at him. I told him he went too far.”

  “He was right though. I’m telling you what to look like and you’re happily married with a baby. I never let my manicure chip and I have no-one. It only hurt because it was the truth.”

  “Well I told him that we’re having a house meeting to clear the air. He can apologise.”

  “He has nothing to apologise for. This time.”

  “Well, you’ve seen your wedding anyway in visions, so what does Henry know, eh?” I tried to jolly things up a bit because I’d been so excited to get out of the house and now it was like I was in a funeral cortege.

  “Well, Kim said that I only actually saw myself at the wedding and indeed in my second vision I was asking where my groom was, so like she said, I could get jilted at the altar.”

  I was going to kill Kim when I saw her.

  “I joined the dating agency yesterday. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to go on some dates. It’s been a while. Kim said I should focus on the right now and if it happened, it happened.”

  Okay, you managed to rescue yourself Mrs Wild.

  As I got out of the taxi, I noticed in the wing mirror that a black car had pulled up a little way down the road. Since having Charlie I’d become more paranoid.

  “Ebony, have you had any visions of danger regarding me and Charlie?”

  She shook her head. “I’d have told you.”

  “Do me a favour. Get back in the taxi.”

  She gave me a weird look but did as asked and I made the taxi set off around the local roads. Sure enough the car started again and followed a way behind.

  “We’re being tailed.” I asked the taxi driver to pull into the Aldi car park. “You take care of Charlie while I go deal.” I told Ebs. The taxi driver didn’t bat an eyelid. He was a friend of Lucy’s and from Angel cabs.

  “Okay.”

  I parked at the top of the car park and watched as the black car pulled into a space at the opposite end. I muttered an invisibility spell and teleported to the side of the suspect vehicle. Becoming visible again, I made all the doors open, and I sent blue webs out to wrap around anyone in the vehicle.

  “Shelley, it’s me. Fuck, get these things off me, they tickle.”

  “Rav, what are you doing following me?” I dropped my webs and looked at Theo’s friend who was wearing a guilty expression.

  “You’re going to be mad, so it’s better I don’t tell you.”

  “With one spell I can make you tell me, Rav, so c’mon… spill.”

  “I’m earning a little extra money from Theo. He hired me to be your bodyguard. With me being a demon he thought I could help if you needed someone while he was asleep.”

  “He did what? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  “I know. I know. And I told him that, but he wants to feel he’s protecting you. You’re so powerful now, Shelley, and the baby will be too. I think it’s threatening his manhood. You need to let him feel you need him. He feels powerless, especially while he has to be asleep all day whereas you are getting to swan around as usual even though you are part vampire.”

  “Swan around?” My eyes narrowed.

  “I just meant you can go out and he cannot. Just let me do my job and then he can feel better and I can afford to move out of my mother’s house. She keeps going on about how I should be married by now and raising little hellions all over the place. I need some space.”

  I sighed. “You follow at a distance and don’t get in my way. Okay?”

  “Yes, yes, absolutely fine. Thank you, Shelley.”

  I walked back to the taxi shaking my head and then returned to the coffee shop. I was going to consume a bucket full of the stuff.

  “A bodyguard. Pahahahahaha.” Kim giggled.

  “Rav will be a great bodyguard. He does a grand job in Hell.” Lucy added.

  “The sooner the bed-and-breakfast opens the better, then Theo will have something to occupy his time and he can leave me alone.”

  “Yeah, you have just given birth to his daughter. His first born. Dream on and get used to him breathing down your neck just before he bites it.”

  “Kim, sod off.”

  She grinned.

  “So, you had a baby four days ago. There should be laws against you looking so good. But why are you already out of the house and here calling a business meeting? We only took over yesterday. A little faith in us would be good, bestie.”

  “I just remembered it was Valentine’s Day tomorrow and wanted to check in with you. I’d forgotten to warn you how mad it gets.”

  “You do remember I’ve been here since day one right?” Kim’s jaw had set. “I’m well aware of what happens on Valentines.” She turned to Ebony. “A shit ton more people apply. When I was single, I absolutely loved it, because the men are all desperate. I used to have them eating out of my hand and then eating-”

  “Stop right there.” I yelled at my best friend. “So everything is in order then?”

  She and Lucy nodded. “Yes, all running smoothly.”

  I sank in my seat. “Oh, so I didn’t really need to come running?”

  “It’s good to see you and Charlie again though.” Samara said, her blonde curls bouncing as she spoke.

  “So are you actually working tomorrow?” I asked her.

  “I suppose I’ll probably do an hour. They’ve sent me the latest state-of-the-art bow and arrows. Might as well try them out. But I don’t want to take away from your business so I won’t shoot too many.”

  “Oh that reminds me. Kim/Lucy, I want you to find Mary a date. Is there another ghost hanging around that she could spend some time with?”

  “We have a few on the books. I’ll have a look. Can she complete an online application as she can’t leave the house can she? Actually how will she get to her date?” Lucy frowned.

  “They’ll have to come to her. So she needs one that can move. Make sure he’s young and fit okay?”

  “And how does Theo feel about his mother dating again?”

  “Yeah, like I’ve told him. Look she’s feeling the backsides of any men who enter the house and then half the time she disappears after. If I don’t get her a date, she’s going to have me sued for harrassment.”

  “Okay, young, fit, and can travel. I’ll look once I leave here.”

  “Thanks, Lucy.”

  Jax came over which rendered the supernatural talk over.

  “What have I missed?”

  “Just cuddles with Charlene, nothing else of importance.” I handed my daughter over to her.

  “At least your nanny isn’t around today to get all possessive about the baby.”

  “Right.” Kim stood up. “We’re going to have to make a move because we’re really busy, like you say, with it being the run up to Valentines. I could rush you a date through Ebs, if you like?”

  “No, I can wait until afterward.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Ebony,” I pushed her arm. “Go for it.”

  “Oh, okay. Find me a date for tomorrow evening, but please not someone desperate.”

  “Even though they’d be all over an ‘all you can eat Ebony buffet’?”

  “Especially for that reason. Just a nice, calm individual.”

  “Can they be human?” Kim blurted out.

  “What else are they going to be?” Jax laughed. “You
started a new section matching people with pets?”

  “There’s always a desire for pussy.” She kissed my cheek. “Later, tater. Bye bye, Charlie K.”

  Jax went back off to serve her customers as she still didn’t have a replacement for Seth yet. Samara said her goodbyes and returned to her pet grooming salon and that left me and Ebony.

  “I don’t feel needed.” I told her. “We might as well just go back home.”

  “Or we could have a chocolate doughnut.” She said glancing at the counter.

  I didn’t need much persuading.

  Before we returned home, Ebony opened the shop, and I helped her with a few stocktaking tasks while she opened post and made sure everything was okay.

  “Ebony?” I looked around.

  “Yeah?”

  “Have you thought of having an online boutique? That way you could still work while you’re at the house. It must be kind of boring just waiting for my visitors to arrive.”

  “Well, I didn’t want to complain as it has only been a few days, but with me missing time here when I was ill also, I’m worried my customers will move elsewhere, and I do love matching people to outfits. I wouldn’t know how to start though.”

  “But Theo is an internet whizz. He’d set you up, I’m sure, if you asked him.”

  Ebony’s face became animated, it was like she’d had an extra shot of coffee. “Oh, do you think he’d be able to help me with an online ‘what would suit you’ style guide type thing?”

  “Ebony, please ask him and get him occupied with something other than having me followed. Until the B&B is finished he’s lacking for things to do.”

  Ebony stared at Charlie for a beat. “Yes, yes. I think that’s a fabulous idea.” She said.

  “Why did you stare at the baby before deciding?”

  “Oh, her outfit was just giving me ideas.” She replied.

  Ebony

  Shelley had come up with the most amazing idea. An online boutique. I could dress people around the globe! Any doubts I’d had were answered when Charlene had told me to ‘Go for it’. I was still finding it strange talking to a newborn but then again my whole life had been one strange occurrence after another.

  Feeling in a buoyant mood, I decided that even the moronic Henry wasn’t going to spoil my vibe and I would be amazingly nice to him all afternoon. I needed to make an effort for Shelley and Theo’s sake, and well, what was more annoying than someone you didn’t like being nice to you? Also, it might stop Shelley calling a House Meeting which would be extremely embarrassing.

  I immediately made him a large mug of tea and walked up the stairs with it, having made sure there was nothing about the mug for him to find offensive. It was large, plain, and white, though no doubt he’d take it as a reference to his skin colour or say I was insinuating he was plain. The word fucktard came into my head and I giggled. Being around Kim and the girls had rubbed off on me a little after all.

  I knocked on the door of the room I could hear him moving around in. The smell of fresh paint hung in the air, making me cough slightly.

  Henry opened the door.

  “Yeah?”

  “I brought you a mug of tea.”

  He eyed it suspiciously. “Why?”

  “Because I just made hot drinks and thought you might like one.” I smiled at him.

  “What have you put in it?”

  “One sugar and some milk, just how you said you took it.” Oh I was enjoying this a little too much.

  “Oh-kay, well… thanks.” He said, just as a vision of him tripping over a paint pot came to me.

  “Oh my God, can you stop that thing with your eyes. It’s so weird.” He complained, stepping backwards towards the paint pot.

  I dashed to it, moving it out of his path and stood up smiling again.

  “That’s what my visions showed me was going to happen. You’re very welcome for the rescue.”

  “It’s nothing to do with bloody visions. I was only not looking where I was going because you went all weird again. Have you been to see a psychiatrist at all?”

  I smiled brightly at him again.

  “Well do enjoy your tea,” I said. “I’ll bring you another mug on the hour as I’m around for the rest of the afternoon.”

  I left the room highly amused at his confused expression.

  Valentine’s Day arrived, and I was on my way to the living room when my phone rang.

  Lucy’s voice echoed down the line. “Hey, Ebony. I have a hot date for you tonight. His name is Alexander and he’s a vicar. Can you meet him at his Parish at eight pm? He’s going to take you to a dinner and dance.”

  “Sounds fantastic. Tell him I’ll see him at eight.” I ended the call.

  Henry had just walked through the door. “You actually have a date tonight?”

  “I do.” I smiled.

  “That’s why you were nice to me yesterday. You’re getting some. Now all becomes clear.”

  “Henry Marston. I have yet to have a date with the gentleman, and he’s a vicar, so I am sure there will be none of me ‘getting some’ as you so succinctly put it. However it will be lovely to get out for the evening and enjoy some hopefully pleasant company.”

  “A vicar? Sounds positively riotous.”

  I lowered my voice. “As for why I was nice to you yesterday, well, Shelley had spoken to me in the car and stated that if we continued to argue she was going to call a house meeting. Now I don’t want that, so I figure why don’t we just call a truce for however long I have to stay here to watch Charlene and you have to be here to decorate? I don’t mind making you the occasional hot drink, if in turn you could stop calling my having visions weird.”

  “But it is weird.”

  “To you, yes. To me, well I’ve been having them for years so it's as natural to me as breathing. Now when they were so painful they drove me to vodka and my bed it was more of a curse at times than a blessing, but at the moment I’m managing them fine which is putting me in a much better frame of mind. I want to enjoy myself while I can, Henry. Life’s short. Hence tonight I shall be waltzed around by a vicar at a dinner and dance, instead of being laid in bed with a migraine.”

  “Jax has had a couple of migraines at times. I know they suck. Yes, let’s call a truce.” He held his hand out and I took it in my own.

  It was warm.

  It was strong.

  It made goose bumps go up my spine.

  Casually, I moved my hand away. I could tell he was staring at me.

  Then it happened again. My sight went dark until a vision came at me. Only this time I felt my arm be grasped, and myself be steered and lowered. I was aware of the couch underneath my bottom.

  As I came around from the vision Henry was looking at me. This time with concern in his eyes.

  “Are you alright, Ebony? I really think you should see a doctor. It could be some form of epilepsy.”

  “Is my handbag nearby?” I asked. He moved to the hallway and returned with it. A smirk tugged at my lips.

  “What?”

  “It’s just you’re all dark vested and muscly and carrying my pale blue handbag. It’s funny.”

  He quirked a brow and passed it to me.

  Rummaging inside, I pulled out my phone.

  “Hey, Lucy. Yeah, it’s me. Cancel that date. I just had a vision of him with his lead chorister. Yeah, a man. I’m no one’s beard. You might want to ask him his application questions again regarding his requirements. Yes, I can hold.”

  Lucy started clattering keyboard keys, and I heard her make a call on another line.

  “Okay, so now you are meeting a Jasper Monroe. He’ll meet you at Hanif’s at eight-thirty.”

  “Hanif’s, eight-thirty, Jasper Monroe. What does he do?”

  “He’s a chef.”

  “A chef! Oh fantastic. Hopefully this will lead on to him cooking me dinner.” I exclaimed. “Thanks, Lucy.”

  “You have another date already?” Henry said, looking annoyed.

  �
�Yes, why?”

  “No reason, just thinking you probably should rest after your little fit thing.”

  “It’s a vision, Henry.” I sat up straight. “There’s more in this world than you’re aware of. Why not try opening your eyes a little more to the world around you? I have visions. Not fits, not delusions, not epilepsy. Visions. I saw your girlfriend dump you and I saw the bird poop on your head. I saw the paint pot whether I caused it or not. Now you can believe me or not, but if I warn you of something and you ignore me, you’ve no one but yourself to blame.”

  At that point Mary flounced into the room. “We’ve lots of visitors coming from tomorrow onwards, Ebony. I told them today was Valentines and they could get lost. I’ve got a date you know? The first since I was widowed. A date with a modern man. I can’t wait. He’s coming here at nine. It’s been a century since my last date. If only I could get changed.” She looked down at her cotton dress. Henry was turned towards me eye-rolling when she disappeared.

  “A century. Likes to exaggerate does Mary, doesn’t she? And why does she wear the same thing every day?”

  “Open. Your. Eyes.” I said to him again. Then I excused myself and left the room.

  Dressing to impress, I put on a black fitted wrap dress and tongued my black hair into ringlets. A blue neon eyeliner made my eyes stand out, assisted by lashings of mascara. I added a bright red lip and I was ready to go.

  “You look lovely.” Shelley said as she stood in the hallway rocking Charlene.

  I can’t wait until I can rock some Louboutins instead of frikkin bootees.

  I tickled Charlene’s chin. “See you later and I promise when you’re older I will make sure your clothes are on point.”

  “Hey, what’s wrong with what she has on now?” Shelley protested.

  A my daddys’ my hero top and the apostrophe is in the wrong place. Please tell her it makes it look like I have lots of daddies.

  “You might want to take a closer look at that top.” I nodded towards it. I couldn’t make Charlene grow any quicker but I could help her mother’s wardrobe choices.