‘How good?’ Jack arched an eyebrow.
Robin laughed. ‘Just… good. Time flew. Jasmine’s really good company.’
‘Did you kiss?’ Jack asked directly, as only he would.
‘No. Not that it’s any of your business.’ Robin stared him out.
‘I get it, not a friend with bene—’
‘Hello, Jack, Robin,’ a voice interrupted from behind, causing them to startle and turn around abruptly.
‘Hi, Jasmine,’ Robin said, getting up. ‘Here, sit down, I’ll get another chair.’ He left them momentarily to fetch one.
Sat facing Jack, Jasmine saw he at least had the grace to blush, having caught the tail end of the conversation. She felt sure Jack was referring to a ‘friend with benefits’ and didn’t care for the expression. Even more so when she suspected he may have been talking about her, albeit teasing Robin. None of this did much to change her opinion of him. Looking at Jack now, it was pretty clear he knew this too, judging by the way he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
‘So, how are you settling in on Samphire Bay?’ he attempted polite conversation.
‘Fine, thanks,’ Jasmine replied, looking him straight in the eye.
Thankfully for Jack, Robin soon reappeared.
‘Have you seen Bunty?’ he laughed, thumbing behind him to where her gypsy caravan was.
‘Yeah, I think I might just pay her a visit,’ said Jack, taking the opportunity to leave.
Jasmine couldn’t help but snort at the idea. ‘What, get your cards read?’
‘Why not? It’s just a bit of fun,’ he replied, a touch defensively.
‘And for a good cause too,’ joined in Robin, then turned to Jasmine. ‘Fancy getting a reading?’
‘I will if you will,’ she countered with a grin.
‘You’re on.’ He held out his hand to shake on the deal.
Jack left them to it, feeling somewhat of a gooseberry. Regardless of what his mate said, the chemistry between those two was palpable. Reaching the shepherd’s hut, he read the sign outside it:
£10 for a tarot card reading. Let gypsy Rosy-Lee reveal yourfortune!
Ten quid? Bloody hell, Bunty better give him good news, thought Jack as he reached for his wallet and climbed up the wooden steps into the hut.
Stifling a laugh, he sat down to face Bunty.
‘Hello, Bunty,’ he said, straining to keep a straight face when seeing the goldfish bowl.
‘It’s Rosy-Lee,’ she corrected, reaching for the pack of tarot cards.
‘Of course, sorry Rosy-Lee,’ he replied, pursing his lips.
She placed a row of cards face down on the table before him.
‘Pick a card, Jack.’ He did as she told him and pointed to the middle one. ‘Ah, the Lovers,’ announced Bunty as she turned it over. The card showed a man and woman stood in the Garden of Eden, with the tree of life behind the man and the tree of knowledge behind the woman. She described what the figures represented. ‘Relationships and choices, Jack,’ she declared in a mystical voice.
‘What relationships?’ Jack said flatly.
‘Not an existing one,’ continued Bunty, ‘but there’ll be a temptation of heart, or choice of a potential partner.’
‘I see,’ said Jack, not wholly convinced. It was a good job this was for charity, or he’d be demanding his tenner back. Outside the hut he could hear giggles. Recognising them as Jasmine’s he got up to go. ‘Thanks Bunt— Rosy-Lee.’ He smiled and made his leave.
