Chapter 22

Binky Peverel sat in the fortune-teller's tent, practising on Flora before the fete began. She was dressed. as Flora had correctly guessed, in a full Gypsy costume complete with over-large hoop earrings. Instead of a crystal ball, there were seven tarot cards laid out on the table before her, in a horseshoe shape.

‘You have had great changes in your life recently my dear' she cackled mysteriously, employing all her dubious acting skills. ‘You will have gained much and found your true place in the world.'

‘I wonder how on earth you know that, Madam Morgana? Your fortune-telling skills are truly uncanny' said Flora with mock amazement.

‘Oh shush. I'm practising my skills on you for paying customers. Am I doing all right?'

‘Sounds great. You don't tell anyone if you see anything bad do you?'

Privately, Flora was still finding it hard to believe that Binky had any skills at all in this direction. When she had mentioned this to Peggy, the older woman had told her not to be too quick to jump to conclusions.

‘No, I try to steer them in the right direction away from anything bad. Okay then, I'll read your tarot properly if you want? A Celtic Cross reading I think.'

Flora wasn't sure that she did want - but watched as Binky laid the cards out in front of her. Binky studied the cards for a few seconds, her eyes opened wide and she put a hand to her mouth. She really was a terrible actress, thought Flora trying not to smile.

‘You will have a wonderful surprise very soon. It will make your life complete' she said in a quavering voice as if it was the way fortune-tellers should talk.

‘I'm very glad to hear that. Will it involve work money, family, romance, or my consulting room being finished off next week so I'm not waiting any longer? Now that would make my life complete.'

She watched for Binky's reaction but she wasn't taking any notice. Her eyes were fixed on the cards.

‘Interesting' she said finally in a near to normal voice. ‘The first thing I'm getting is that someone close to you will reveal themselves. This will be difficult to grasp but because of past events, will bring harmony into your life. Now, I see you and someone close to you will be twice-blessed with love.'

Binky suddenly frowned and Flora, as she believed now that her aunt really was seeing something, started to worry.

‘Is it bad? Don't tell me if it's bad' she squeaked.

‘No, not at all. A little confusing perhaps. There are two men who will come to mean a lot to you.'

‘Two?' laughed Flora and was ignored.

‘In both, the past is colliding with the present and there are issues in both their lives that need addressing before you can progress any further. Decisions that need to be made as both come to terms with the present. Do not make any of your own decisions before you feel that it is right to do so. You will know when the time comes. Let go of any resentment from past actions that will bring you pain. Your life is moving forward in the way you hoped and will bring happiness and success.'

Binky looked up at her niece with glazed eyes that gradually came into focus. She took a deep breath.

‘Well!' she said in surprise then looked around her. ‘Do you want me to write it down?'

‘No, I'm pretty sure I'll remember it, thanks Binky. Or should I call you Aunt Bianca?'

‘Nice as that is, I prefer Binky.'

‘ Or even Madam Morgana?' she grinned.

‘ At the fete' answered Binky seriously, ‘yes, so I can immerse myself in my role.'

Flora grinned and went out to finish setting up the stall. Jen had arrived and had a face like thunder. She might have improved vastly but she still had a dodgy temperament.

‘What's wrong?' asked Flora.

‘Nothing' she scowled.

‘Nothing?'

‘I'm just really annoyed with…' Jen sighed and nodded over to where Madam Morgana was emerging in full splendour from the tent.

‘You don't believe she can tell fortunes then?'

‘ What?' said Jen, confused. ‘Yes, she can read the cards with great skill. It isn't that.'

Flora waited for her to continue.

‘It's just that she shouldn't take matters into her own hands.'

Puzzled, Flora changed the subject.

‘These crystals are beautiful. You'll have to tell me what they can do. And the gemstone jewellery, I love it' she smiled, holding up her arm with the citrine bracelet on it. Jen melted by degrees until she came around the table to give Flora a hug.

‘Come on. Help me set these herbal remedies out properly so they look good next to your much prettier things.'

Jen smiled and immediately pitched in to help. There were only ten years between Flora and her aunt and though she was really pleased to have found family, she was beginning to think of Jen as a good friend as well.

*

The fete was in full swing. They had managed to get a famous but normally reclusive artist to open it. He lived in a large house on the far edge of the village on the way out. Well, the way in too as it was the only road there was, in or out. No wonder it used to get cut off in snow and still did in bad winters.

If he was reclusive, he also seemed quite friendly with it today and spent some time afterwards trying some of the stalls out. He bought an amethyst crystal from Jen and then a herb jar from Flora, to put in his studio to aid calm and creative thoughts.

Lots of these and the perfume sachets, along with her special floral teas were sold. She was so pleased as this seemed to bode well for the shop. As soon as the little consulting room was finished, she could clean the dust off the surfaces in the shop and display everything properly. She couldn't wait. The shop could possibly be open by next weekend or at least the week after. She had directed everyone on the flyers to check her website for details of the grand opening.

She had been looking after the stall as Jen had a picnic in the grounds with Steve. He had closed the bookshop for an hour and had come here to see his wife. Flora watched them laughing as they ate. Steve was as ecstatic with the baby news as Jen was. She was so happy for them both.

When Jen came back to take over, Flora walked around the fete taking it all in. She had a go at knocking the witch off her broomstick. This was Bob the butcher, dressed up complete with pointed black hat which came off every time he fell on the rubber mat - which was almost continually.

She also bought a knitted fairy in glitter wool and a crocheted witch with a black cat on her shoulder, like a feline version of Long John Silver's parrot. Flora imagined Freya viewing this with disdain. As most people knew this was the village of the Witches of Farstone, they expected things like this and looked forward to them.

Fortunately, there were many other stalls too. Tombola was run by Peggy, a raffle was run by Philippa and Mary, and Jerry, Mary's dad, ran the popular beer tent. The event was packed out as it was a gloriously sunny day. Flora made for the bakery stall, grabbing a cheese and salad breadcake for now and a scrumptious-looking cherry pie for when she got home. She asked Liv, the woman who ran the bakery, to wrap it in cling film as well as a bag, before packing them in her rucksack.

She finished her lunch in a quiet place on the grass towards the far end of the hall and away from the fete. As she put the used wrapping back in her bag, she was aware of being watched. Her skin prickled - not with fear – but with a feeling of intensity she couldn't describe.

She turned slightly towards the front of the Hall to see a tall slim fair-haired man watching her with a look of complete shock on his face. Her expression must have mirrored his when she saw his eyes - the same pale grey eyes she saw in her mirror every day - leaving no doubt in Flora's mind. This then, was her father.