‘Oh gosh, I’m not sure I want to go in there now. What if Martha tells me something I don’t want to hear?’ exclaimed Molly.
‘You are in charge of your own destiny and your future can be changed,’ the room chorused, leaving Molly chuckling.
‘Martha also predicted I was going to have a son when I was under the impression that I couldn’t have children and she even predicted his name would begin with F and that’s exactly what happened. Against the odds, Fergus was born.’ Aggie gave Molly a knowing look.
‘Who is next up?’ asked Isla, looking around the room.
‘Go on, I’ll go next. Let me get it over and done with,’ volunteered Molly, looking towards the door as Dixie walked back into the room.
Molly stood up and placed her drink on the table then smiled at Dixie.
‘And how did that go?’ asked Aggie before Molly had the chance.
Molly hovered in the doorway and watched Dixie as she sat down on the settee and took a huge swig of her drink.
‘That was a strange one,’ admitted Dixie, looking around the room and holding Molly’s gaze.
‘Don’t leave us in suspense,’ urged Rona, giving her friend a nudge. ‘Let me guess, Martha has found out the winning lottery numbers and you’re going to share the winnings?’
‘Apparently, a scandal from the past is going to change my family’s life.’ Once more Dixie looked towards Molly and gave a little shrug. ‘I know I’ve enjoyed life to the max but I’ve never been involved in any sort of scandal. Always kept my nose clean… It’s certainly intriguing … Let’s see what unfolds.’
‘Yikes,’ replied Molly. ‘I’m worried about going in there now.’
‘It’s not set in stone, just take anything she says with a pinch of salt,’ reassured Isla, giving Molly a look of encouragement. ‘It’s just a bit of fun, not a game-changer.’
As Molly turned and pushed the door open to the snug she felt apprehensive about what Martha would say. But there was only one way to find out her fortune.
As she stepped inside, she parted a curtain to reveal Mystic Martha sitting in dimmed lighting behind a small oak table, running her hands over a crystal ball. Martha was taking this absolutely seriously and didn’t look up but gestured towards a bowl which had one five-pound note. Molly quickly rummaged in her pocket and added to the pile before sitting down in front of Martha. She could feel her heart racing and her throat was dry as she swallowed. She sat in silence as Martha rolled her hands over the crystal ball, looking up briefly before gazing down at the ball again with deep concentration.
‘Don’t tell me, there’s a new arrival on the cards,’ joked Molly, trying to lighten the mood a little.
Martha looked up and arched an eyebrow. ‘Oh there’s definitely that all right,’ she replied. Her voice was low and eerie, making the hairs stand up on the back of Molly’s neck.
‘Just remember you are in charge of your own destiny and your future is not set in stone.’
Molly was mesmerised, her gaze not leaving Martha, and for a split second she could have sworn she noticed a fleeting look of worry flicker across the older woman’s face. ‘What is it? What can you see?’
‘Health issues,’ replied Martha. Molly immediately cradled her stomach.
‘Huge changes ahead. I can see a death, a letter and new beginnings.’
Molly was puzzled. ‘A death? And new beginnings in what way, the baby?’ Her voice was jittery.
Martha’s eyes were drifting in and out of focus. ‘I see a small girl standing in a dark room.’
Molly swallowed, her thoughts immediately taking her back to her childhood.
‘She’s being led away. There are bright colours, happier times. Does this sound familiar to you?’
‘That was me, Martha, that was me.’ The words left Molly’s mouth before she could stop them.
Martha looked up and met Molly’s eyes. ‘I can see a ring of secrets.’
‘What secrets? Who has secrets?’
‘That, dear, I cannot see. However, I can see a scandal, arguments, upset, a niggle that you can’t let go of. My advice is don’t give up on that niggle. It’s going to make the future brighter for another child and your life a whole load easier. Family is everything.’
Feeling confused, Molly stroked her stomach. Martha was talking in riddles. What the hell did any of it mean?
