‘Soulmates don’t beat up each other’s hearts.’
‘No, but if he ends up back in the slammer, your heart will shatter.’ Lizzie folded her arms as she sat back. ‘Be honest. Tell me how hard it was for you knowing he was locked up?’
It wasn’t something Alice liked to think about. The first couple of years had been a nightmare. Not only was she trying to live a life that didn’t include Lisa, she had struggled to cope with Benny’s grief, not knowing what was best for him. Hiding the fact she was in contact with an inmate made things difficult, and each time she went home after a prison visit, she had cried.
‘It was tough until I got used to it,’ she muttered.
‘I don’t want anyone to hurt my baby,’ Lizzie said quietly, taking Alice’s hand.
‘He’s never done anything bad to me.’
‘You need someone who is solid, Alice. Reliable.’
‘He’s that way now, and he’s going to stay that way. Look, I can prove it.’ She tapped the Four of Swords. ‘Do a reading on him. Go on. Check out his future for yourself.’
‘Maybe I would if I knew where my missing card was.’
Alice scanned the floor, noticing it poking out from under the fridge. ‘There it is.’ She grinned as she picked it up. ‘The Lovers.’
‘Hmm,’ muttered Lizzie, shuffling her deck.
‘Three-card spread. Past, present, future.’
Lizzie tutted. ‘Let me just do my own thing. Anyway, we all know his past.’ She turned over four cards and simply stared at them.
Alice tilted her head to have a read, knowing the meanings, having been taught at a young age, just like Luna had taught Lizzie. ‘Ooh, Wheel of Fortune. Seems to be turning in his favour.’
‘My attention is more on the Two of Cups.’
Alice had already spotted that card too. ‘If it is a deepening connection between him and me, at least it shows a positive outcome.’
Lizzie sighed loudly. ‘All right, love. You win. I’ll give him a chance.’
‘You will?’
Lizzie bobbed her head. ‘I won’t lie. I will be wary for a while, but if he’s changed, I guess we’ll all see in the end.’
‘Benny vouched for him, didn’t he?’
‘Well, there is that, as well.’
‘Thought so.’
Lizzie put her cards away in the black bag. ‘I only want good things for you, love.’
‘I want good things for me too, and I have that in my life. Jamie is just finding his feet and could do with a mate or two for support. That’s all I’m being.’
‘What’s he up to now?’
‘Putting our Christmas wreath on the door. The competition winner will be announced in a few days. Why don’t you put one on the shop? It’ll look nice with the fairy lights.’
‘I’ll pop to Berry Blooms later. See what they’ve got.’
‘You’re supposed to make your own.’
‘Yes, I know. I’ll have Lottie teach me, but right now, I need to get back behind the counter and give your nan a rest.’
‘Okay. I’ll be off. And, Mum, thanks.’ Alice kissed her cheek. She practically skipped down the stairs, giving her nan a kiss as well at the bottom before heading home.
