Outside, Robin and Jasmine stood grinning like Cheshire cats. Jack gave them a cynical look with a raised brow. ‘All yours,’ he told them.
Jasmine went in first, not quite knowing what to expect. At seeing her, Bunty’s face lit up.
‘Ah, Jasmine, come and take a seat,’ she welcomed.
Jasmine too was trying hard to conceal laughter at seeing the whole set-up. She stared into Bunty’s face and was instantly reminded of those photographs Robin had found. From the first time she’d met Bunty Deville, Jasmine had believed there was more to her than met the eye.
Bunty placed a row of cards on the table and requested Jasmine to pick one. On doing so, Bunty then turned it over.
‘The Moon,’ she said with interest.
‘What does that mean?’ asked Jasmine.
‘It represents emotion, reflective and mysterious.’ Bunty held her gaze and Jasmine blinked, a little taken aback. ‘It’s a feminine sign, the yin… to a future yang,’ finished Bunty in a gentle voice. She reached out a hand to touch Jasmine’s arm. ‘Don’t be alarmed, I’m not really a fortune-telling gypsy,’ she whispered, eyes twinkling with mischief. Jasmine smiled.
‘I know,’ she said, then added, ‘but you are quite a character, aren’t you, Bunty?’
‘Am I?’ The corners of Bunty’s mouth twitched.
‘Yes,’ Jasmine said resolutely, but she couldn’t resist asking: ‘Have you ever found a yang toyouryin?’
The question floored Bunty. Jasmine took in the initial shock, then the sadness of her expression. There was a long pause before Bunty spoke in a hoarse voice.
‘It’s your cards I’m reading, not mine. Could you send the next person in please?’
Clearly dismissed, Jasmine left the hut feeling rather odd. Robin was waiting outside.
‘You OK?’ he asked with concern.
‘Yes, fine. Your turn.’ She gave a tight smile.
When Robin entered he was a little puzzled to find Bunty looking subdued, still and staring into space.
‘Bunty?’ he queried. She turned at hearing him.
‘Robin, come in.’ She forced a bright smile. Shuffling the cards, she did the same as before and placed a row in front of him. ‘Now then, let’s see what’s in store for you.’ She indicated for him to choose one. When she flipped it over, a slow beam spread across her face, followed by a soft chuckle. ‘The Sun,’ she revealed. ‘The best card, Robin.’
‘Really, why?’ he asked, peering at the card as if it would tell him its secrets.
‘Yes, it represents good fortune, happiness, joy and harmony.’
‘I like the sound of that,’ laughed Robin.
‘Hmm, it also represents the universe coming together and agreeing with your path and aiding forward movement into something greater.’
‘Blimey, the whole universe, eh?’
Bunty sat back in reflection. To her, it was no coincidence that the card that came before Robin’s Sun was Jasmine’s Moon. The yin and yang cards, together they symbolised a time of growth and transformation, as well as a need for balance and harmony; so fitting in her eyes. Together, Jasmine and Robin had only reconfirmed what she already truly believed: they made the perfect couple.
‘Worth every penny,’ Robin chirped.
‘Glad I cheered you up,’ Bunty said but then noticed him stall, as if wanting to say something. ‘What is it, Robin?’
‘Err… Bunty, I found an old chest in the cottage attic and it contained an envelope with old photographs in it.’ He could tell this had made an impact, as her expression shifted.
‘Photographs? What kind of photographs?’ she asked sharply.
‘Of a young couple, probably taken in the Sixties,’ he replied. ‘I think they may be of you,’ he quietly added.
