My Fortune Teller Revealed…

The fortuneteller gave me a warning

Whats the fuss, love? the owner of the cosy cottage shot me a sharp look, never stopping the way she spread the cards across the table.

I clutched the back of my chair in fear, nodded, and glanced cautiously into the old womans nightblack eyes.

You remind me of Nella! The heavens will smile on her! she sighed, crossing herself. A faint, nostalgic grin tugged at her lips. Your granny was a striking one tall, regal, neck and shoulders like a swans. Brilliant too! Shame she only finished primary school the war cut her short, otherwise shed have gone far, believe me

She fell silent for a moment, then perked up again. And what a tongue she had! The lads were scared of her. She worried only about her proper husband! she chuckled wickedly. Its clear: Nella may have been married, but the moment she set her eyes on a man, hed vanish like a puff of smoke, and shed have the nerve to laugh right at his face! Yet your granddads love was loyal and true. As for her looks at boys just mischievous fun, she added, smiling warmly.

Gran Jen, you were friends with my granny? I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.

Oh, love, we were as close as a needle to thread, she winked, her eyes flashing like tiny gold lanterns. You ever wonder who taught me this? she asked, squinting playfully.

My eyebrows shot up. Could it be Nella? I breathed, thrilled.

Shes the best! the old lady confirmed with a puffedup nod.

What’s the fuss about those painted cards at first glance? she ran her fingers over the fan. Nella just glances at them and instantly knows everything past, present, future. She can tell a persons whole story. Ive been picking up her wisdom little by little.

Gran, is any of this true? I burst out laughing, staring at the silly, hornlike grey strands poking out from under her headscarf.

Dont laugh, girl! the seers voice dropped, pinning me with an icy stare. A chill raced down my spine.

Gran Jen, sorry, I was just teasing! I pleaded, eyes wide.

Ah, Tom the sceptic! she muttered, less fierce now. Fine, Ill let you off. Youre still young, what can I take from you? Just remember this: you cant outrun your destined partner or a horse you ride!

Gran Jen, do I have a destined one? I asked, eyes glued to the cards.

Ah, looking into the future, arent you, pretty thing? she smiled, her wrinkles deepening. We old witches can see anything! She lifted a fresh deck and said, Maybe when you think of me again, you wont make such silly jokes, as she laid out kings, curvy queens, moustached gentlemen in berets a whole waltz of characters on the tablecloth.

Look, dear, the roads fallen away, and its a long one. Youll be traveling with someone, and youll have suitors, no doubt, she mused aloud. Your eyes are already sparkling, your face is cute, but all thats hollow. Those lads wont touch your heart. Here, she pointed at a crimson king, youll love him, but hell be a rogue. Dont get involved, love, or youll end up crying bitterly! She sighed, shaking her head. Can you really stop lovestruck fools? she waved her hand helplessly.

She then drew a couple more cards and brightened. This one, the second, the crosscard, will be a proper chap! With him everything will go sweetly, trust me, she beamed. Just not anytime soon, my dear! she teased, twirling my chestnut curls, and we both burst into laughter.

***

Id been popping over to Gran Jen quite a lot. I never got to meet my own grandmother she passed long ago but Gran Jen lived alone and adored me, her granddaughters best friends kid. I could feel it, even when my heart hammered with fear if she was in a sour mood.

She was a proper reputationmaker. Folks from all over the county came to see her. She never charged a penny, but she was never shy about offering tea and biscuits. She was generous to a fault.

Even now wed sit together, sipping tea and tucking into a hefty slice of cottage pie with peas and mint.

Gran Jen, could I ever learn to read fortunes? I asked, pushing another bite of pie into my mouth.

The question seemed to catch her off guard. She stopped chewing, stared at me with coalblack eyes, and after a moment she softened. Maybe you could Come back tomorrow, if youre still keen, she said firmly. Ill teach you.

***

Time flew like a swift swallow. It feels like only yesterday I was splashing in puddles with my mates, skipping rope, flying paper kites, and now were wrapping up Year 7, finishing work experience, and the summers wrapped us in its warm embrace. Oh, summer! Swimming, sunbathing, the lot.

I raced home, report card in hand, eager to brag about the mostly As. As I stepped through the front door, Mums tearstreaked face met me, envelope in hand. A letter from Aunt Nell, I thought, shes coaxing us again.

Dad was staunchly against it.

Anna, whats wrong with staying here? Weve got our cosy cottage, chickens, geese, a cow the river right by the back! he protested bitterly.

My girls havent seen a blooming apple tree, theyve never tasted cherries, theyve never buried their noses in watermelons! Mum sighed. Kolya, I long for the homeland! her goldenbrown eyes pleaded to Dad.

Ah, the power of a womans tears! I mused. Maybe Dad just loves her deeply, our Anna Regardless, we suddenly packed up and headed for the fragrant fields of Wales.

***

On the first day of September the whole school stared at my sister and me. At the assembly we stood in pretty dresses, frilly aprons, huge bows, standing out among the modestly dressed classmates. It didnt bother me much; I was more worried about what the other pupils would think. As soon as I stepped into the classroom, a girl approached.

Im Blythe, she said, flashing a sincere smile. Anna, dont worry, the lads here are nice! She asked, Want to sit at the same desk? I nodded gratefully. Thats how I became friends with Blythe for life, as it turned out.

During the big break, Tom grabbed his guitar and started singing. The lighthaired, slightly plump boy sang with such yearning that my heart fluttered like the sea. It seemed he only saw the girl he was singing for, tears welling in his eyes.

Do you think hes fallen for you, Vera? Blythe whispered, eyeing his changed expression.

Hes singing for you, Blythe added sadly.

Are you joking? I asked, bewildered.

Blythe shook her head, her lips barely moving: Poor TomVasili

Why does life work that way? We dream of one, yet our eyes chase another. Hes a halfgrown lad, likes a nip of ale, and his head is full of lovebirds.

Hes a smooth talker, his words as sweet as honey, and my heart, without asking, flew to him like a bird to the sky. I was terrified and swore Id steer clear of him forever. I wasnt about to become another pretty boys victim.

Meanwhile, Anatoly was clearly intrigued by a new object. The lad kept sneaking glances at a slender girl with braids. His eyes held her captive.

Answering at the blackboard was torture. The teasing look from the boy slid up my legs, higher and higher. It was absurd, but I kept my cool, ignoring his antics. That coldness annoyed the schools resident heartbreaker, and on PE, Tolley decided to win attention. He sprinted the 100metre dash faster than the wind, launched the discus so far the PE teacher whistled in surprise.

When the boys played football, there was no one like him! All the girls cheered, shouting for the football star, yet one girls eyes stayed unreadable. Tolley grew gloomy even lost a few pounds! He clearly fancied that aloof girl, but every attempt to talk to her fell flat. It frustrated and infuriated him. Why dont I matter? he thought, for the first time feeling his heart protest.

***

Autumn crept in like a sly thief, followed by a brightblonde winter. School buzzed with excitement New Years ball was just around the corner. We rehearsed poems, sang songs, and crafted the oddest costumes.

Tamsin and I chose our characters: the Larkin sisters. Tom liked carefree, bubbly Olivia; I was drawn to thoughtful, gentle Tatiana. Aunt Nell stitched us both gorgeous floorlength dresses; our hair turned into waterfalls of goldencopper curls.

When we pushed open the club doors, we stepped into a fairytale world. Hussars, bandits, princesses, fairies, cheeky monkeys, and dwarfs swirled around. In the crowd, Kashchey strutted, and a wildly merry, hilariously wild Baba Yaga ran about.

Then Cinderella our Blythe slipped through the throng. Girls, you look stunning! she beamed, crowning us with bright smiles.

After the introductions, the dancing began. The first to take my hand was Tolley! His usually serious eyes melted with a pleading look.

Anna, will you dance with me? he asked, his voice a little shaky.

I didnt resist. Every fibre of my being reached for his strong shoulder, and we whirled together to the waltz, forgetting the world. The music lifted us higher and higher, a feeling of otherworldly bliss that stayed with me forever.

***

Our meetings were utterly unique and wholesome. Who could forget that first embrace, that honeysweet first kiss? I drowned in his deep eyes, melted like a snowflake in warm hands. His words rang like a magical symphony: I love you, Anna! I love you eversomuch!

That night I turned to the cards again. What does tomorrow hold for me? I asked, hoping for a bright answer.

At first the kings and queens promised that everything would be fine with Tolley. I pictured our lavish wedding carriage, but then a spade queen slipped out, staring at me with a poisonous glare. My heart ached as if claws were raking it.

But by morning, when I saw Tolleys loving eyes, the worry melted like spring snow.

***

Six months later a new trainee arrived at school raven curls, big eyes, a tiny waist, and a generous bust. She was brilliant, and we seniors were all smitten with Miss Maya, our beloved teacher.

On Saturday, Tolley promised a date he never showed. I hoped for Sunday, but he didnt turn up either. Finally, I spotted him at school, beaming, heading straight for his dear Maya. He didnt even notice me; he was rushing to her. When I ran after him, both froze a heartbeat apart, eyes locking. In that instant I knew they were meant for each other forever.

My heart, it pounded like a trapped bird. I felt the ground slip, but Blythes steady hands saved me.

The balls over now, I whispered, feeling the weight of everything. How do we go on? Can we trust anyone, even men?

***

Anna, forget that fool! Tom said, wrapping an arm around me. Youre brilliant; hes not worth a penny! She squeezed my shoulders, and we both burst into tears.

Girlhood happiness is a fickle thing, isnt it?

On Saturday, Blythes birthday came around. Shed invited us over, and her mum baked a massive Napoleon cake. After the guests left, Blythe leaned in and whispered, Anna, can you read our fortunes? Youre the only one who knows how!

I stared, astonished how did she know?

I saw you doing it once, she confessed.

Sounds fun! Blythe chirped, eyes gleaming like mice eyeing cheese, as she handed me the cards.

Tamsin drew a heap of suitors countless! And two husbands!

Why do I need two? I laughed, halfserious. Your kings are lying! Tamsin frowned.

Her friend beamed: a mutual love awaited her.

A baby is on the way! I told Blythe, continuing the spread.

My fingers trembled. I knew this card combination well, but it scared me.

No, that cant be right! I stammered, and then, like a clap of thunder, Blythes mum shouted, Anna, thats the death card!

Ah, Aunt Vera, Im just a silly fortuneteller, I tried to joke, shivering.

I think so too! Tom declared authoritatively. We thanked them for the night and said goodbye.

***

Later, Tamsin whispered to my mum (on the sly) how much Id been spilling stories to her and Blythe. Mums lips curled in an ironic smile. Remembering my childhood visits to Gran Jen, she asked, Darling, could you read my fortune?

Why would I? I replied, then saw the sadness in her eyes and realised it wasnt idle curiosity. I agreed and began laying out the mysterious queens, waltzes, and kings, explaining what they meant for Anne.

Dad was staying with my brother Michael at the time. The cards hinted a long journey and a serious blow of fate for Mum, and also that Dad was actually staying in a government house, not with Michael.

Mum, dont be upset, Im not going anywhere! she laughed.

But the next morning a telegram arrived: Anna, come quickly Nicholas has had a stroke.

Mum looked at me, uneasy. Seems your cards werent lying

Within an hour she was on a plane.

***

Years passed.

One night I woke up, locked in my own bedroom. Suddenly I heard heavy footsteps down the hallway slow, deliberate, huge. Moonlight slipped in, the door shuddered, then rattled someone was trying to get in! Our houses doors were locked from the inside, so no one could have come through the front.

Whos breaking into my room like a steam engine? I thought, panic flooding me. What if the door gives way? I prayed desperately, Lord, if Youre there, protect me!

The moment I finished, the door stopped trembling and silence settled in the corridor.

In the morning, Mum saw my pale, creamcoloured face and gasped, Sweetheart, what happened?

She shook her head, Anna, stop dabbling in fortunes! Thats not a gift from God It looks like the Unclean has visited you! I burned the cards straight away, and life felt lighter without them.

***

In the end, Gran Jens predictions and mine did come true. Blythe married for a great love; they had a beautiful blueeyed daughter, but tragedy struck and they both perished in a car crash. My friend turned twentyone, and my goddaughter was just a year and a half old the hardest loss Ive known.

Tamsins second marriage blossomed; the first one never worked out. Maya finished her training with flying colours and left for good; she wasnt called back. At home she found a waiting fiancé, a splendid wedding, an unforgettable bride.

Tolley knelt, begging forgiveness, but I couldnt, even though I loved him terribly. He later married the kindest, most reliable man from our class, Vasili. We now have three sons and plenty of grandchildren. Im over sixty now, and I can honestly say lifes a rich, colourful tapestry. You just have to live it and relish the beautiful moments.