A Fortune Teller’s Predictions Came True for Me…

Tell me, dear, whats on your mind? the proprietor of the snug cottage shot me a sharp glance, never pausing as she spread the cards across the oak table. I clutched the edge of my seat, nodded, and dared a wary look into the old womans nightdark eyes.

What a striking resemblance you bear to Nora! May the heavens smile upon you! she sighed, crossing herself. A faint, nostalgic smile flickered on her lips. Your grandmother was a formidable ladytall, graceful, her neck and shoulders as regal as a swans. She was clever, though she only finished Year 4 before the war tore her away. She could have gone far, if not for those terrible times.

Grandma Evelyn fell silent, remembering something, then straightened and continued. The girl was sharptongued, and folk feared her. They worried for their loved ones. Its no wonderNora, though married, could fix a mans eyes with a glance and hed vanish, and shed grin in his face! Yet your grandfather loved you devotedly and stayed true. As for the boys just a bit of harmless teasing, Evelyn chuckled warmly.

Betty, did you ever know my grandmother? I blurted, unable to hold back my curiosity.

Oh love, we were as close as a needle and thread, the old lady winked, her eyes sparking like tiny gold lanterns. Do you know who taught me this craft? she asked, squinting conspiratorially.

My eyebrows rose. Nora, perhaps?

Yes, the very one! she affirmed with a proud nod.

She ran a finger over the fan of cards. What do they show at first glance? she murmured. Nora would look at them and instantly know everythingwhats past, whats to come. She could read a persons fate like an open book. I picked up a few tricks from her.

Is any of this true, Aunt Betty? I giggled, eyeing the silver strands peeking from under her kerchief.

Dont laugh, child! the seer warned, fixing me with a stern stare. A chill raced down my spine.

Betty, Im sorry, I was only joking, I pleaded, eyes wide.

Ah, you foolish Tom! she grumbled, softer now. Fine, Ill let it go. Just remember this: you cant outrun your destined partner or your own horse!

Betty, do I have a betrothed? I asked, hope glinting in my voice.

Ever the curious one, she replied with a grin, wrinkles deepening. We old crones can see anything! Lets shuffle a fresh deck. She dealt the cards onto the tablecloth, laying out kings, queens, bearded gentlemen in berets, all twirling in a merry waltz.

The road ahead looks long and winding, she said, pointing to a distant card. Will you leave with someone? She laughed. We old fey can make anything happen! She spread the royal court, then whispered, When you remember old Betty, youll stop making foolish jokes. She placed a redking card and continued, Youll fall for a man, but hell be a bit wayward. Best not to cling to him, lest your heart break.

She turned another card, a crossshaped one, and smiled brightly. This one is a decent fellow, and with him things will turn sweetthough not immediately, my dear. She ruffled my chestnut curls, and we both burst into laughter.

I visited Aunt Betty often. I never met my own grandmother; she had passed long ago, and Evelyn lived alone, doting on me as if I were her own granddaughter. Though sometimes my heart quivered when she was in a sour mood, I felt her love keenly. Aunt Betty was renowned in the county; folk travelled from York to Cornwall to seek her counsel. She never charged a penny, though she accepted fresh scones and a cup of tea with a grateful smile. She was famed for her hospitality.

One afternoon, as we shared a slice of egganddill pie, I asked, Betty, could I ever learn to read fortunes?

The question caught her off guard. She paused midbite, stared at me with eyes as dark as soot, then softened. Perhaps come back tomorrow, if you still wish, she said firmly. Ill teach you.

Seasons slipped by like a swift lark. Not long ago I was a cheeky girl, skipping stones, hopping rope, and flying paper kites. Now Id just finished Year 7, completed my work placement, and the warm embrace of summer lay aheaddays of swimming and sunbathing.

With my report card in handfull of AsI raced home, eager to brag. Instead, I found Mums eyes wet, a printed letter clutched in her hand. A letter from Aunt Nora, she whispered, she wants us to come and stay with her. Dad, ever practical, objected.

Anne, why would we leave our homeour chickens, our cows, the river beside the field? he protested bitterly.

Mum sighed, Our girls have never seen the orchard blossoms, never tasted the ripe cherries, never dug our faces into a watermelon Her goldenbrown eyes pleaded with Dad.

Ah, the power of a daughters tears, he muttered, perhaps softening a little. The thought of moving to a blooming garden in the English countrysideperhaps the Cotswoldsseemed both thrilling and frightening.

On the first day of September, the whole school turned its gaze toward my sister and me. We stood on the assembly platform in lovely dresses, lace aprons, and huge ribbons, standing out among our modestly dressed classmates. I cared less about the outfits than about how Id be received. A shy girl approached me.

Im Clara, she said with a sincere smile. Dont worry, the lads are nice here! She asked, Do you want to sit at the same desk? I nodded gratefully, and so began a friendship that would last a lifetime.

During a big break, a boy named Tom took a guitar and started strumming. His voice, tinged with longing, made my heart flutter like a tide. He sang for a girl we could not see, his eyes fixed on a distant love.

Has our Tom fallen for someone? Clara whispered, eyes wide.

Hes singing for you, Clara replied sadly.

Are you joking? I asked, bewildered.

Clara shook her head, her lips barely moving, Poor Tom

Why does life sometimes send us one dream while we chase another? The schools star soccer player, Tony, was a whirlwindfaster than the wind, tossing the disc so far the PE teacher whistled in amazement. Hed charm every girl, yet his eyes never lingered on the one who admired him mostme.

Autumn crept in like a sly thief, followed by a whitehaired winter. The school buzzed with excitement for the upcoming Christmas ball. We chose costumes: my sister and I became sisters from a classic novel, while Tom, ever the jester, tried to win my hand.

When the music swelled, Tony stepped forward, his normally serious gaze softening. Emily, will you dance? he asked, voice trembling.

I did not resist. My whole body leaned into his, my hand finding his sturdy shoulder. We spun in a waltz, the melody lifting us higher than any cloud, a feeling of pure, unearthly happiness that stayed with me forever.

Later, under a canopy of twinkling lights, he whispered, I love you, Ivy! I love you more than anything! That night I turned to my cards, seeking what the morning might bring.

What does tomorrow hold? I asked, heart racing. At first the cardskings and queenspromised a bright future, a grand wedding carriage. Then a black queen slipped out, her stare sharp, sending a chill through my heart. Yet by dawn, when I saw Toms loving eyes, the fear melted like snow in spring.

Months later a new teacher arrivedMayaher dark curls, bright eyes, and lively spirit made her unforgettable. She taught us with flair, and we adored her. Tom promised a date on Saturday, missed it, then missed Sunday. When he finally appeared, he was rushing to his own sweetheart, leaving me breathless.

One afternoon, my friend Clara confided, Betty, can you read for us? Youre the only one who knows how! I stared at her, surprised. I saw you reading earlier, she admitted. Its fascinating! They leaned in like mice at a cheese platter.

Claras mother, Mrs. Foster, had baked a towering Napoleon cake for her birthday. After the guests left, Clara whispered, Betty, tell us our fortunes! I shuffled the deck, dealing out knights and lovers, even two husbands for one lady. Why two? she laughed. Your kings lie! I warned, but her friend gushed over a budding romance.

My fingers trembled as a death card appeared. I gasped, No, that cant be! Claras mother, hearing the ominous tone, shouted, Thats the death card! I tried to joke it away, but the room fell silent. We thanked our hosts and left, the air heavy with unspoken fears.

Back home, my mother, curious, asked if she could have a reading. She hesitated at first, then, seeing the worry in my eyes, I obliged. The cards hinted at a long journey and a hard blow soon to come. The next morning a telegram arrived: Anna, come quicklyDad has had a stroke. Within an hour, a plane whisked my mother away.

Years have passed. One night I awoke to slow, heavy footsteps in the hallway. Moonlight slipped through the curtains as the door shuddered, as if something massive were trying to force its way in. My heart pounded. Lord, if You are there, protect me! I whispered. Suddenly the footsteps stopped, the house fell quiet, and the door held firm.

At dawn, my mother found my pale face. What happened, love? she asked. I told her about the nights visitor. She shook her head, Dont tempt fate, dear. That gift isnt from God; perhaps a mischievous spirit visited. I burned the cards that day, and life felt lighter without them.

Some of Aunt Bettys predictions did come true. Clara married her great love; they had a beautiful blueeyed daughter who tragically died in a car crash. My friend Maya completed her training and married a charming suitor. Tony, after many heartbreaks, finally settled with a gentle, loyal man from our class. I am now in my sixties, looking back with gratitude.

Life, like a deck of cards, deals us both triumphs and sorrows. The secret lies not in avoiding the bad hands, but in playing each one with courage, kindness, and a sense of humour. In the end, the greatest fortune is learning to cherish every moment, for that is the true wealth of a welllived life.