‘I didn’t know she was dating again.’ Alice remembered her mother trying speed dating not too long ago. She went to a single’s night at a local pub, but not much came of anything.
Plodding up the stairs, she hoped her mum would at least listen to what she had to say about Jamie.
‘Is that you, Alice?’ called Lizzie from the kitchen.
Alice smiled to herself. Her mother knew everyone’s footsteps. ‘Yeah.’
‘In here.’
Alice entered the kitchen to see her mum had a tarot spread laid out on the table. ‘Who you doing a reading for?’
‘No one. I’m just wondering why I’ve got a card missing.’ Lizzie glanced up. ‘What you after?’
‘I’m here to talk because I don’t like the tension.’
Lizzie patted the chair to her side. ‘I’ve not got a problem with you, girlie.’
‘Yeah, I know, just Jamie, and you’re worried he’ll lead our Benny astray or something.’
‘Oh, Alice, he was just such a rotten egg. Stealing cars, and shoplifting. I don’t know what else. You can’t find me a mother out there who would want their daughter around someone like that.’
Alice started fiddling with the black crushed-velvet bag on the table. ‘Mum, he changed in prison. He doesn’t like that person he was, and I need you to give him a chance so I can have a peaceful life.’
‘It’s not as though he’s your partner, love. So what does it matter what I think of him? He’s not part of our family. Right now, he’s just one of your guests, and if he keeps his nose clean, stays to his room, and hurries and saves some money to move on, then I’m okay with that.’
It wasn’t exactly what Alice wanted from her mother. She was hoping for a bit more forgiveness. It wasn’t like her mum to be so cold towards anyone.
‘Okay, Mum, spill the beans.’
Lizzie looked up from her cards. ‘What do you mean?’
‘There’s more to this. You’re one of life’s helpers. Always have been. You’re a huge fan of reform, and you don’t believe in back shaming, so why are you so different when it comes to Jamie?’
‘Because you’re too close to him, that’s why.’
‘He’s my best friend.’
‘I know what you’re like with that lad, and I worry about just how far you’d go for him.’
Alice chuckled. ‘I promise we won’t turn into Bonnie and Clyde.’
Lizzie huffed. ‘I just want someone trouble-free for you.’
‘Mum, he wasn’t all bad. He just got in with the wrong crowd.’
‘See, there you go again, making excuses for him. Can’t you see yourself when it comes to him? You’re giddy, love. Giddy.’
Alice snorted a laugh. ‘I’m not giddy. We just have a really strong connection.’
‘Yeah, it’s called soulmate, love.’
‘Oh really? Well, if you think he’s my soulmate, you would want me to be with him, wouldn’t you?’
‘It’s because I know he’s your soulmate that scares me.’ Lizzie waggled a hand towards the door. ‘Your nan isn’t the only one around here with psychic abilities. We’ve all got it in us. Don’t you pick up on anything when you’re with him?’
Alice shrugged. ‘Just our bond.’
‘You love him, girlie. About time you dropped your walls and started admitting that to yourself. That way, you might be able to save your heart from a thrashing.’
