Page 17 of A Night with Damien Spur

‘Not quite,’ she replied, ‘but close. I read tarot.’

And so the conversation continued, and Damien forgot the paintings and the angry woman.

Clever Claudia edited her thoughts, allowing only a tiny chink of light to tempt him. Her talk of tarot was just enough to fascinate him.

‘Is there such a thing as free will?’ he asked. ‘Can the cards really change the destiny of hapless souls buffeted by the wind?’

‘Do you see yourself as a hapless soul?’ she asked.

Didn’t expect that direct response, did you?said the Voice.Well, are you a hapless soul? Better make sure you think before you speak, cos this tigress is going to pick you up on anything you say and file it in her mind.

‘Depends in what context,’ Damien replied. ‘I know where I’m going in my novels, driving my characters and story through red herrings and minefields, and steering back on course to a satisfying denouement. But me? My personal life seems to have no particular direction. And far too many delicious deviations.’

‘So, Damien, what are you frightened of?’

‘What exactly do you mean by that?’

‘Well, usually anybody who comes up with your questions, my first response would be, do you really want to know theanswer? And do you really know what you’re searching for?’

‘Well, I know what I’m searching for in my work, but I don’t necessarily know what I’m searching for in my life.’

‘Ah, well, the art of tarot is all in the questions asked. So my only question to you would be, what would you like to ask the tarot?’

Claudia read him well. His suave disguise hid the truth.

‘Okay, let’s put the theory into practice,’ Damien said. ‘I would love you to read my cards. When I was a young man, I was interested in Aleister Crowley. Used to dabble in the black arts at Oxford. In fact, I still have a pack of his tarot cards.’

‘My preferred deck is Ryder Waite. Far more subtle and informative.’ Claudia was back in the jousting arena.

‘Well, you’re the expert.’ He saluted her. ‘But I liked the drama. Still do.’

‘Yes,’ she said, ‘I can see you might have been the “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll” type. Addiction and obsession are dangerous bedfellows. It sounds to me like you need to find some answers. Let me know when you’d like to come. Appointments are from 8.15 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. Here’s my card.’

Damien slipped it in his pocket. He’d forgotten about Sophie and Angus.

He was drawn to this fascinating woman, who was both direct and ironic at the same time. She seemed to know, and be smiling, at his dark side.

Chapter 5

Friday morning, 7 a.m., Claudia was up and dressed, emails read, having breakfast with Peter in the kitchen of their elegant house in Holland Park, when Anna rang.

‘Sorry to call you so early, but can you give me a reading in the next couple of days?’

‘Hello, Anna. Why the urgency?’

‘I’ve met a gorgeous man, and he’s going to help me with my book, and I want to see if there’s more to it than that.’

‘You’ll have to wait until next week. I’ve been invited to read at a hen party in Rome.’

‘I just need to know when you’re leaving?’ Anna asked.

‘Later this afternoon. I’ll be back Wednesday.’

‘Too late. He’s coming into the practice on Tuesday.’

‘Look, why don’t you Skype me in ten minutes and I’ll pull a card for you.’

‘Okay, thanks. Sorry again, Claudia. I didn’t mean to interrupt your breakfast.’

---