by Carrie Stone
'Wow' he grinned widely. 'That was something else.' So he had felt it too. My heart leapt.
I laughed biting my lip to stop myself from breaking into the biggest smile imaginable. I had found my Mr Ideal. My eye caught a gold reflection amongst the bushes causing me to squint.
'What’s that?' I asked, intrigued at the mysterious gold sparkle. Edward followed my gaze towards the glinting light. Walking forward, he bent down between the bushes pushing aside the branches.
'It's a plaque' he said, dusting across the large gold sign with his hand. I joined him to take a closer look, my eyes widening in surprise as we read aloud an epitaph wording together.
'Here lies Lord Emmanuel Henry Bowen Parker 1872 – 1953 & Lady Margaret Anne Bowen Parker 1877-1947. May they rest in peace.'
Edward looked above and around us, as the realisation dawned that we were lunching and kissing upon the grave of deceased. I burst into laughter as Edward looked at me horrified.
'I had no idea; I’d always assumed this gazebo was purely an aesthetic feature.’
'Don’t worry; at least we put on a good show for them. Imagine how many years they've been lying under those trees waiting for some entertainment!' I exclaimed light heartedly.
Edward pulled me close and grinned.
'You have a wicked sense of humour' his eyes bore into mine 'and for that I must punish you with a kiss.'
We stood kissing for what felt like an eternity. I had found the man I wanted to kiss forever. Out of nowhere, droplets of rain began to fall harshly against my face and arms. I pulled away from Edward.
'Quick, it's starting to rain. We need to get undercover' I said, looking around for shelter. My white jeans would never survive a heavy shower of rain. I'd be exposing my off grey thong within minutes.
'Don't worry – it's all taken care of' Edward said, taking my hand and leading me away from the gazebo, in the direction of the castle entrance.
'The staff at the house agreed to take care of tidying everything. The estate chauffeur is waiting to take us back to my car.' Our pace picked up speed as the sky clouded over threateningly above us.
Chauffeur? I hadn't even thought of how we'd be getting home. Edward had truly thought of everything. Never again would I refer to men as being useless at organisation.
We ran together the half mile towards the black car waiting discreetly at the entrance of the castle gates. I looked back towards the property, my heart a little heavy; I hadn’t even managed to get a peek inside. I'd even deleted memory space on my mobile to accommodate a few photos. Edward had found it funny that I'd spent most of the balloon ride taking shots. Little did he realise I would be spending the rest of the evening daydreaming, whilst I looked over my treasured photography. I had tactfully managed to capture him in almost every picture. I couldn’t wait to show Mel.
The chauffeur opened the door of the car as Edward waited for me to climb inside.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
As I walked past the rows of terraced houses, I was a little disappointed to discover that number thirty two was just a few more doors along. It was all too normal.
Mel had led me to believe that the mysticism and uniqueness of the experience was different to anything I’d encounter elsewhere. Her insistence that I book a reading with Psychic Rose had been compounded by my new found love of all things alternative.
Number thirty two was a white rendered terraced house. A red chalk drive hosted a Ford Fiesta. Although I hadn't expected a broomstick as the preferred method of transport, the sight of the car dampened my excitement. Scepticism began to descend upon me. I was rather fond of my assumption that Rose would have gypsy roots and a basketed push bicycle, accommodating overflowing lavender sprigs.
Walking towards the porch area, I pushed the doorbell. A fat ginger cat pounded past me, meowing at the door. She did at least have a cat. Albeit not a black one.
As the door was opened I struggled to contain my dismay. Rose was a tiny middle aged woman dressed fashionably in jeans, chunky jewellery and wedge shoes. Her hair reached just below her chin in varying honey tones. It was the work of a talented colourist. In essence, she looked well kept and trendy.
'Hello, do come in love' she turned sideways to allow me space to walk past her.
'Hi' I said as the cat took the opportunity to rush past. I followed its lead into the very ordinary, half wallpapered hallway. Not a pendulum or candle in site and certainly no whiff of joss sticks. Only a distinct smell of burnt toast floating in the air.
'I'm sorry I might be a bit early, I didn’t want to miss the bus' I rambled, heart pounding with anticipation as she led me to a door on the left. Rose chuckled knowingly.
'Not to worry. Try to calm your nerves, dear, as I can feel your anxiety from here.' She pointed towards a small table with two chairs either side. ‘Now pop yourself down on the chair there and I’ll fetch you a glass of water.’ She disappeared with a clonk of her wedge shoes and I took the chance to survey the room.
Dusky mint green walls surrounded me, the large bay window adorned with elaborate swag curtains and white muslin nets. There wasn't anything to suggest this woman was remotely interested in things alternative; let alone that she was psychic herself. I waited nervously for her to return, hoping the newspaper article Mel had read about the accuracy of Rose's 'gift' hadn't been fabricated. I'd waited three weeks for this appointment.
She was back within minutes carrying a glass of water which she set down on the table, and took her seat facing me. I noticed she had French manicured nails. Didn't psychic people care more about planting herbs to make essences, than having their nails done?
'Now dear, I don’t work by using any tool, by which I mean tarot cards, crystal balls or suchlike. So I’ll only be able to tell you what I feel, hear or see. OK?'
Nodding my head willingly, I held my breath as she said she was preparing to connect. Did this mean she'd start chanting, tribal dancing or calling upon the dead to have spirits join us? I was relieved when all she did was smile. Moments later, her face suddenly took on a serious look.
'Firstly dear, I'm shown that the recent past hasn’t been easy. There's been a separation from a man. Another woman taking his attention.' My heart started to pound.
'I'm given the name William and I feel this man is better left in the past. Hampering after him dear will only cause you more heartache. You must shut the door on him to allow a new love to enter.'
I felt the hairs on my arms stand up. How on earth could she know about Will?
'The new love has already crossed paths with you. He is closer than you think. I am shown a bear. I feel this has relevance. I am also shown a recent change of job that involves travel overseas. This job is part of your destiny. It has appeared for a reason, dear.' She paused to look at me.
'I feel there may be a desire to seek new pastures with work. You should stay where you are. It’s very important for all that’s about to unfold.'
I frowned; I wasn't planning to leave RJ Travel. And what was about to unfold?
'A close friend will leave on an overseas journey with a man that holds her heart. She will return a different woman. The letter ‘S’ is shown and I want to put 'sister' with this name. She is harnessing a secret she wishes to share. Love links again with this. There will be a great reveal dear. Sooner than you think. Spain is shown to be of significance.'
She stopped talking, finally meeting my eyes and looking as if she was no longer in an altered state.
How could she pick up so much in such a short space of time? Speechless and astounded, I suddenly had a new found respect for the small, very ordinary lady sitting in front of me. She had no way of knowing about Will, Stella, work or my upcoming visit to Spain. I found my voice.
'I must say I'm amazed at the accuracy of information given. Everything you've said has made some sense. I’m unsure about the change of job or new love but hopefully someone shows soon as you've predicted' I said optimistically.
In truth if so
meone didn’t show up soon I'd be forced to consider buying wool in bulk and a few kittens. There was only so many years left to avoid becoming the old maid cliché. But she said I’d already crossed paths with this new love. Could it be Edward?
'Just out of interest will I have any children?' I asked curiously as she stood up to indicate the end of the reading. I glanced at my watch. Sure enough, twenty five minutes had passed already.
'Yes dear. Three children will link to you and one will be a child that isn’t of your blood.’
'Isn’t of my blood. You mean adopted or fostered then?' What did she mean? Did I really look the adopting type? I couldn't even imagine having my own child let alone willingly adopting somebody else’s.
She didn’t answer. Instead she held out her business card and waited for payment.
'It doesn't matter' I said hurriedly, fishing in my purse for money and handing her the payment. It was typical that even my psychic reading couldn’t be straight forward. Story of my life.
The ginger cat from earlier bounded into the room and jumped up on the table.
'Get down Teddy' Rose said, gently tapping the cat on its bottom. 'You'll put hairs everywhere.' In one swift movement the cat landed on the floor and padded from the room.
Teddy the cat. It was a cute name for an animal.
'I know of a Teddy too, except this one is a man, not a cat' I joked. Rose smiled warmly.
'Do you dear?' she said, eyes twinkling.
I looked at her questioningly. Did I imagine it or did she smirk too? Clever clogs, probably thinks that she knows it all I suppose.
By the time I reached the bus stop, I felt slightly relieved. Rose had confirmed Will wasn’t the one for me and deep down I'd known this was true. Since our supermarket incident I hadn’t so much as given him a passing thought. Edward on the other hand, had taken precedence in my thoughts and was firmly rooted there. Thinking of Will no longer made me feel sad or bitter. I no longer wished him a slow, painful revenge, but instead hoped he'd find a level of happiness.
Edward was the one I had hoped she'd pick up on but the reference to new love had been limited. Especially irrelevant was the connection to a bear. What on earth was that supposed to mean. Canada perhaps?
Mel was sitting on the sofa snuggled in Hugo's arms as I arrived home and walked into the living room, dumping my bag on the sofa.
'You're back. We've been waiting for you. I thought it was only supposed to take half an hour?' Mel said, sitting herself up straight. Hugo absentmindedly pulled her back closer to him.
'It was really enlightening. Stuff I didn’t expect, but no mention of Edward. She said something about a close friend going off travelling with a man, which must be you two. Otherwise it was pretty much about not changing work as its part of my destiny and a great reveal.' I kicked off my shoes and walked towards the kitchen to put the kettle on.
Mel followed me, setting herself down and demanding a word by word account of what had been predicted. She listened carefully as I repeated Rose's words.
'What about this new love then? Surely if you've crossed paths you'd know. It must be Edward? But then wouldn’t she have said you'd been seeing him? Or perhaps you've yet to meet him and she was getting mixed information.' Mel said sceptically.
'I guess so.' I didn’t want Mel picking apart Rose's predictions. I had been going over her words on the bus journey home and it was a comfort to know that if Edward wasn't my new love then at least I was finally about to meet my someone special. Hope was something I’d been waning thin of, of late.
'I’m going to make myself some lunch. Are you and Hugo going out or would you like me to make extra?' I said changing the subject and immediately hoping I wouldn’t be taken up the offer. The last thing I wanted to do was prepare lunch for three people and then have to endure the two love birds feeding each other.
'No thanks. We are going to pop out after. Hugo has been working on some new music and he wants to run ideas past me’ Mel grinned at me knowingly.
'I’m sure he does. Especially as there’s been a distinct lack of guitar playing since you entered his life.' I kept my voice low so he wouldn’t hear me from the other room.
In the month since Mel and Hugo had become an item, Hugo had spent more time in our apartment than his own. It was hardly believable that in less than two months they'd both be hoisting backpacks onto an airport conveyor belt to start their travel adventure together. He had certainly proved that he was in adornment of Mel and would do anything to make her happy. Even the Asia trip. As much as he claimed the idea to be his own, it had been Mel's childhood desire. Mel deserved the happiness. She hadn't had the easiest life.
..........
It wasn’t long before the flat was quiet and empty. I snuggled into the sofa allowing myself the luxury of a glass of Mel's wine with my lunch.
Despite my trip to Spain being in less than twenty four hours, I hadn't begun to pack. The wine and hearty risotto dish would hopefully give me the encouragement I needed to start the momentous chore that loomed ahead. I was looking forward to allowing myself some time to think over Rose's words.
My phone beeped. Mel had undoubtedly forgotten something and I'd be on orders to take it next door to her. I stopped chewing, setting down my fork and picking up my mobile. It was a text message from Edward.
'Hello gorgeous. Just landed in Hong Kong. Will call soon x'
My heart flipped, a smile spreading across my face and my appetite vanishing. It had been a week since our picnic and despite two hurried phone conversations, there hadn't been any further contact.
Although he'd explained he'd be tied up with his Asia and Middle East trip, I had wondered if it was an excuse. The message diminished my fears. Edward was still thinking about me. Surely he was the new love that Rose had referred to?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Mel and I both sat on my yellow suitcase in order to squash down the overflowing clothing encased. Technically I was only allowed 20kg of baggage. However, I was hopeful that as long as I could find a male attendant on the check in desk, I’d be able to flirt my way into extra allowance, free of charge.
Needless to say, that didn't include the extremely overweight wheely case I would be taking as hand luggage. It didn't matter that it was a struggle to pull along. I'd only need the five minutes of breezing it through passport control to convince them that it was as light as a feather. Hopefully my arm muscle workout would pay off.
Ronnie could hardly expect me to appear as RJ's Marketing Manager if I was limited to packing one suit. Even Mel had agreed that the fortnight in Spain would require the nine pair of shoes I'd packed.
Our body weight flattened the case slightly and I grabbed the zip, slowly managing to secure it closed.
'I told you it would all fit' Mel said proudly; standing up.
Agreeably she'd done an impressive job of including everything. It had undoubtedly helped that she'd vacuum packed the first two layers of clothing for me. I stood up beside her, dusting off my jeans.
'All I need to do now is decide what I'm going to travel in.' I walked across to my wardrobe, looking at the two options I had purposefully left myself, to choose between. One being for comfort and the other being for glamour.
Considering I hadn’t seen my mother in four months, it would be wise to make the effort for her. She despaired enough for me as it was, let alone encouraging her by wearing leggings and a long tee shirt.
The trip had come about much faster than expected. Since my meeting with Ronnie, Sam had been drafted in to help make the necessary arrangements with Time & Travel magazine.
I'd been relieved that Ronnie was open to my suggestion of taking an additional one week's holiday leave on top of the one week work trip. I suspected he'd only agreed as a result of my reluctance at booking hotel accommodation on the company expense account. My mother would never have let me hear the end of it, had I not agreed to stay with her. The prospect of having to endure a fortnight of constant criticism and
her new boyfriend wasn't a relishing thought.
On the upside, the meetings with Teddy's office and the tour of the newly constructed hotel wouldn't take longer than a few days. Ronnie had instructed me to establish all correspondence with the hotel Marketing Director, thus keeping Teddy's knowledge of RJ's involvement to a minimum.
I'd already confirmed with my contact Sasha to arrange a photo shoot to accompany the article I’d be submitting to Time & Travel magazine. Sasha had happily agreed to the terms proposed, not questioning the reasons behind the free marketing and advertisement. As far as I could divulge from our conversations, Teddy was simply an investor in the project and his physical involvement was minimal. Ronnie didn't seem to be aware of this.
I was concerned I still hadn't spoken properly with Stella since her visit. Despite a few snatched, short phone conversations over the past few weeks, she had avoided any reference to her situation.
My unannounced visit to her the previous week had resulted in a wasted trip. Stella hadn't been home and Emily had taken the boys to the cinema. I wondered how much longer Stella could continue to avoid me. She would find it much more difficult once I was in Spain with our mother. Her lack of contact wouldn’t go unnoticed.
My case packed, I joined Mel and Hugo in the kitchen. In less than ten hours I’d be on a flight to the sunshine. Despite my hesitations about staying with my mother, I was looking forward to the trip even though she had warned me that there were various functions she would be expecting me to attend. Knowing my mother, my name had probably been listed since she'd discovered I was coming to visit.
I thought back to my many trips to Marbella over the years, each and every one with an unexpected adventure involved. What would the next two weeks hold?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
My metal capped heels click clacked along the polished marble floor as I made my way to baggage reclaim. Arms burning from the strain of pulling the carry on luggage behind me, I continued forward as fast as my feet would allow me. It was no time to falter. I had more important things on my mind. Namely my mother, waiting just a hundred yards through the glass exit doors ahead.
