George’s Street Arcade was pretty busy. Loads of people were browsing the stalls. I walked down the aisle filled with Hello Kitty merchandise, where you could get anything you wanted with Hello Kitty on it – from trainers to wallets to phones. After that was a stall with multicoloured tights and bowler hats and fairy wings. Next there were tables with manga and anime merchandise, comics and superhero action figures; you could also buy records or rare books or vintage dresses or powdery pink Turkish delight. The arcade was a wonderful mix of knick-knacks and clothes and sweets.
I could see the fortune-teller sign up ahead, a painting of an old woman holding a crystal ball, with silver and gold swirls coming out of it. I arrived at the stall, pulled back the purple velvet curtain and stepped inside. Lauren was sitting there, with a book open in front of her.
‘Oh, hey,’ she said. ‘Jacki, right?’
She was wearing a green silk shawl, which gave her a mystical look. Her brown hair was tied up in a bun. She was also wearing big gold hoop earrings and lots of bracelets.
‘Hi,’ I said. ‘Thanks for seeing me today. I know you’re really busy.’
‘Yeah, sure, have a seat,’ she said. ‘I know, it’s crazy busy these days, lots of people wanting to know their futures. I’ll have my student loan paid off in no time if things keep going the way they are.’
‘What are you studying?’ I asked.
‘Commercial Law,’ she said. ‘I’m in my final year. This is really handy because I get to pick my own hours and the money is pretty good.’
‘How much do you charge, if you don’t mind me asking?’
‘Sixty euro a session,’ she said. ‘That’s for about half an hour.’
‘Wow.’
‘You should start doing it yourself,’ she said. ‘If you’ve got any sort of psychic ability, then you should give it a try.’
I laughed. I didn’t think it was my sort of thing.
‘So, you want to ask me about the party?’ she said.
‘Yeah,’ I replied. ‘Do you remember much about it?’
‘I got there kind of late because I was waiting on my dad to get home so he could give me a lift. I’d got Kayla this really cool fake fish-tank thing to hang on her wall, but it was super-heavy so I couldn’t bring it on the bus. I got there and the party was packed already. I knew most of the people there, but not everyone. I was in Kayla’s year, but not in her class. I knew her really well from camera club though, and also through Hazel because I used to work at Rage at weekends. I went home pretty early too because my parents are super-strict about studying, and we had the mocks coming up. I was out of there by twelve thirty. So I’m not much help, I’m afraid.’
‘Do you remember noticing anything… now, looking back on it?’
‘No, I can’t really remember much at all; it’s all kind of a blur. You know when you’re not consciously observing stuff things just slip past you? I couldn’t even tell you what most of the people were wearing. I’m not even sure what I was wearing. It’s weird.’
‘Did you know Kayla was seeing Luke?’
‘No, she kept that one quiet! She probably wouldn’t have told me anyway. We weren’t that close, but I’m surprised Amy didn’t know. Although I think Kayla kept it quiet because she didn’t want Kev to find out. I think she still really cared for him, even though she didn’t want to be with him any more. Although that’s just my opinion. I’m not really sure.’
‘Thanks,’ I said.
‘Sorry I couldn’t really be more help.’
‘No, it’s fine. Anything at all that you can tell me is great.’
‘So tell me, Jacki,’ she said. ‘Do you think Kayla’s dead?’
‘You must know already,’ I said. ‘If you’re a fortune-teller? You must know if she’s coming back or not.’
‘I tell people I don’t know,’ she said. ‘But you’re right, yeah, I have a feeling. I just hope I’m wrong.’
She must have suspected that Kayla was dead too, I thought.
‘Am I wrong?’ she asked, her voice quivering.
‘I probably shouldn’t discuss details of the case,’ I said, ‘without checking with Detective Sergeant Lawlor if it’s OK.’
‘Oh, of course,’ she said, but she could probably guess what I meant by that.
‘I suppose I better get going,’ I said.
‘I have some time before my next appointment,’ said Lauren. ‘Want me to read your fortune?’
I hesitated again, but then thought, What the hell, why not? My life couldn’t possibly get any weirder.
‘Maybe…’ I said. ‘How does it work?’
‘Well, I read palms,’ said Lauren. ‘I learned it from my grandmother. I can tell what’s going to happen to people by examining the lines on their hand.’
‘OK,’ I said. I held out my left hand.
‘You’re going to go through change soon,’ said Lauren. ‘It’s going to be difficult at first, but it will work out for the best in the end. And you’re going to travel, somewhere far away. And you’re going to…’
Her predictions were all pretty vague. As I walked back to Gran’s, I thought about what she’d told me, but couldn’t see any major revelations.
When I got home, I read some more of the book Ger had given me. I flicked to the middle pages.
Methods of Psychic Protection
For additional protection, pick an object that you feel represents security and well-being for you, and wear it every day. When you see the object, think of the peace it gives you. Remember to keep it with you at all times, as a symbol of safety.
I found the guitar bracelet Nick had given me and put it on. Like Ger had said, it was better to be prepared.