Page 14 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘Thanks.’

Rosemary gestured at a doorway to their left then she started to climb a staircase to their right.

‘I’ll be about an hour, Jack,’ his mum said, pushing her grey bob behind her ears. ‘You’ll be OK?’

‘I’ll be fine.’ He watched as she followed Rosemary then went into the lounge, sucking in a breath at the assault to his senses. The room was painted a bright yellow but even so, it felt dark because the window that overlooked the street was small and the walls were groaning with framed photographs and paintings in all shapes and sizes. Heavy navy velvet curtains hung either side of the window seeming to swallow any light that did make it through. There was a small fireplace with an empty grate and on the hearth was a fat red candle with three lit wicks. Jack suspected that was responsible for the potent cinnamon aroma permeating the air. To the left of the doorway was a table with a coffee machine, a sugar bowl filled with sachets and some mugs. A small sofa sat against the wall opposite the window and there was a chair to the side of the fireplace — both covered with patchwork throws. It was a colourful and homely room, he thought, as he perched on the sofa, if a bit full and garish for his taste.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he opened one of the apps and started to play a game that had entertained him through many a shift when the ambulance was stuck outside a hospital. While patients slept in the back of the ambulance, the paramedics often had hours to spare, and games and ebooks had been his saviours. He was lost in the game when the hairs on his arms rose with the sensation that he was being watched.

Looking up, he saw a young woman in her early twenties standing in the doorway. Long, white-blonde hair fell over her shoulders in two plaits, and she toyed with the ends of the one as she gazed at him. Her skin was so pale it seemed translucent and her eyes were grey, but a lighter shade than Rosemary’s. He guessed this must be her daughter, Luna.

‘Hello,’ he said.

Her thin lips curved upwards, and she stepped into the room. ‘Jack.’

‘You know my name?’ he said, lowering his phone to his lap.

Her laughter sounded like tinkling bells. ‘My mum told me you were waiting down here.’

‘Oh.’ He exhaled. ‘Right.’

‘Help yourself to coffee,’ she said.

‘Thanks. I’m all right at the moment, but maybe in a bit.’

She nodded without taking her eyes from his face and he felt nervous, worried that she was reading his thoughts. What was it with these women and their grey eyes that he suspected could see right through him. He tried to clear his mind but random things spiralled through it and when her smile broadened, he felt certain that she knew exactly what was on his mind.

‘Relax, Jack. Everything’s fine. You have a very calm energy and I just wanted to explore it for a moment. You work in something to do with medicine, don’t you?’

‘That’s right.’

‘In a green unform.’ She held her head on one side and placed a hand to her ear. ‘You make people feel safe and comfortable. You’re very kind and you’ve reassured many people. Even the ones who haven’t made it after they’ve left your care. They’re grateful to you for what you did for them and their families.’

He swallowed hard. What she was saying could be pure conjecture, and she could well have heard his mum talking about his job. He wasn’t sure about psychics and suspected there were a lot of con artists out there pretending to have so-calledgifts, but something about this young woman and the way she was looking at him made him feel…seen. It was weird. Unsettling.

‘I try to be kind and reassuring,’ he said, finally.

‘If you ever want a reading, I’d be happy to see you.’ She flicked her plaits over her shoulders.

‘Great.’ He gave a small nod but she’d already turned and left the room.

He picked up his phone again, but it was several minutes before he swiped the screen and returned to his game. He didn’t foresee himself returning for a reading but he’d never say never. Some people, like his mum, found this type of thing helpful and as far as Jack was concerned, people should do whatever helped them through.

Soon enough, his mum appeared in the doorway. ‘Ready love?’ she asked.

He stood up and tucked his phone into his pocket. ‘All OK?’

‘All good.’ She turned and called up the stairs. ‘Thanks, Rosemary. See you in the new year.’

‘Take care, both.’ Rosemary waved from the top of the staircase. ‘And Jack… whenever you see mistletoe hanging over a doorway, get yourself underneath it.’

‘What?’ he asked, frowning.

‘I’ll explain later.’ His mum patted his arm. ‘Let’s go and get some air.’

They descended the steps and walked towards the car. ‘Shall we find somewhere else to park or leave it here and come back for it?’ Jack asked.

‘We could leave it here. I’d like to stretch my legs.’ His mum zipped up her quilted coat and pulled a hat from her bag. ‘Better wrap up warm though.’

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