‘Sixteen,’ I correct him.
‘QUIETEN DOWN NOW EVERYONE, PLEASE!’ Lanyard guy shouts desperately as the voices around us become whispers.
In a lowered voice, Dad answers. ‘No, you were definitely seventeen, Gin. I remember because I was teaching you to drive at the time. We did a lesson on the way to the funfair.’ He pauses. ‘I think you’re confusing your age with how long the fortune teller said it would be before the predictions came true.’
I frown. ‘What do you mean?’ I whisper as around us everyone falls silent.
In the near-darkness he leans closer. ‘Don’t you remember?She said it would be sixteen years until the six predictions came true. She said that a few times, I remember thatverywell. She said they’d begin after your birthday.’
The lanyard guy cues us and the room erupts again into applause as Crystal Ball retakes the stage.
‘But that would mean…’ My frown deepens, my mind whizzing as I process what he’s saying. Have I? I couldn’t have…? Surely not? But if he was there with me, as an adult… and he remembers so clearly…
Dad leans in. ‘No wonder you’ve all been talking about those predictions tonight, given it’s your birthday tomorrow, Gin! I can’t believe you’re turning thirty-three – the year it’s all meant to come true! You must be very excited.’
I stare at him in pure dismay. I’m too far gone, too astonished by his words, so I don’t notice Crystal Ball until she’s upon us.
‘YOU,’ she shouts, pointing directly at me.
‘Oh god no,’ I whisper as every head in the room turns in my direction. ‘Not again…’
