‘Why?’ asked Julia.
‘I’ve just had a tiny incident. I ran Mystic Martha off the road, but she’s okay.’
Julia’s eyes widened then she chuckled. ‘Well, she should have seen that coming!’
The door to the B&B swung open and Bea was greeted by a younger woman whose facial features resembled Martha’s. Unlike her, though, this woman was dressed in khaki overalls and wellies and there was a faint whiff of cow dung around her.
‘What’s my granny been up to now?’
‘This is Isla, grand-daughter to one psychic and dating guru,’ said Julia by way of introduction.
‘I’m Bea, arrived ten minutes ago, broken-hearted, and may just need a dating guru.’
‘Don’t go asking my granny, otherwise Tinderella you will become and you will go to the ball with every right swipe and your love life would be more of a mess than it is now.’
‘I’m not sure that is even possible.’ Bea grinned.
‘But as much as my grandmother is as mad as a box of frogs, her psychic powers are off the scale. Honestly, she knows what is happening in your life before you do!’
Julia laughed. ‘I can vouch for that. There are no secrets in Heartcross.’
‘Martha might be worth a visit. I need to find out what direction I’m heading.’
‘Third van on the right up at Foxglove Farm.’ Isla thrust her hand forward. ‘Isla, wife to Drew, mother to two, and owner of Foxglove Farm.’ She shook Bea’s hand. ‘And Martha is the reason I’m here.’
‘Tell me more,’ encouraged Julia, folding her arms on the counter and leaning forward, giving Isla her full attention.
‘Grandmother Martha is soon to be eighty years old.’
‘NO way!’ chorused Julia and Bea, causing Isla to laugh.
‘Yes way!’
‘I would never have said she was eighty, more mid-sixties,’ exclaimed Bea, genuinely surprised. ‘It must be the mountain air.’
‘More like Botox in three areas,’ replied Isla. ‘I kid you not.’
Everyone laughed.
‘We are holding a surprise birthday gathering – an afternoon at The Lakehouse. It’s also the River Festival and the magnificent firework display will end the night perfectly.’
‘Or with a bang, you mean,’ joked Julia.
Isla leaned forwards, looked behind her and lowered her voice. ‘And this is top secret.’ She looked between the two of them. ‘No one is to breathe a word.’
Both Julia and Bea automatically put up the three-finger salute. ‘Scout’s honour,’ they both whispered.
‘Were you in the scouts?’ asked Bea, looking towards Julia.
She shook her head. ‘No, were you?’
Bea shook her head too, laughing. ‘No, never.’
‘As I was saying… My mum is coming back from New Zealand for the occasion!’
‘Woah!’ exclaimed Julia. ‘That is going to be a tearful reunion. How many years has it been?’
‘Too many to count.’ Isla handed Julia an invitation. ‘For you and Flynn, and that’s the second reason I’m here.’
