Crystal Balls by Amanda Brobyn Read Free Book Online Page A

given her some indication, Chantelle? I don’t want to be a party-pooper or anything but she could hardly pluck that information from thin air.”
    “I didn’t, Tina, honestly. I know what you’re thinking but I swear I sat there straight-faced and said absolutely nothing. Not a word. I believe it, Tina.” Her voice
quietens. “She said other stuff she couldn’t possibly have guessed.” She fondles the gold locket around her neck. “She knew this was my mother’s. She said it helped
her get a link with her, you know, bringing something that she once wore.”
    A single tear rolls down her cheek and I reach out and touch her arm lovingly, swallowing hard to be strong for her. My heart aches for her. Of all the people who deserve to be loved, it is her
and it’s at times like this you do wonder if there is a God and where the hell his logic is. “To know that my mother is around me is the greatest feeling ever.” She sniffs like a
lost child in much need of motherly tenderness.
    “Here.” I hand over a tissue. “Good for you. I’m made up for you.” I squeeze her tightly, kissing her cheek before releasing her.
    It is rather strange though. I mean, you can tell Chantelle is young, too young to guess that at her age she could have lost a parent. I have a suspicion that she gave it away indirectly. How
else could the woman have known? Peculiar.
    I remember the news. “Oh, you’ll never guess what! Our Sam is engaged, can you believe it?” A heaviness hits me once more.
    “Wow, that was quick!”
    “I know, she probably thought her biological clock was ticking over.”
    “She’s pregnant?”
    “God no! She never said.”
    “I can’t really imagine Sam as a mother, no offence meant.” Chantelle’s eyes regain their mature composure.
    “It’s okay, none taken. I know what you mean but neither can I imagine myself as a mother. I’d probably go out with the baby and forget to bring him back!”
    “What if it’s a ‘her’?” she teases.
    “I’d definitely leave her then!” I snort. “I spent a life time clashing with my own mother. If you think I’m going through that again you’ve got another think
coming!”
    We roar with laughter, linking arms, as we make our way to the car park.
    Today is a great day for Sam and Chantelle. Sam has the man of her dreams and Chantelle the dream of her mother. But I can’t help feeling like the stuffing has been knocked out of me. All
this great news has left me feeling rather self-absorbed. I am so happy for Sam even though Tim is not exactly what you might call dynamic, but he is a good man who clearly worships the ground she
walks on. I, on the other hand, fall for the bastards every time. It must be wonderful to feel so wanted and so secure, never caring whether the total stranger who just walked past you in the
street finds you attractive. It’s totally shallow but true, I’m afraid. The day I stop attracting attention is the day I stop leaving the house and curl up to die. It’s been a
long time since I’ve felt loved up and I guess it will take a strong man to provide me with that blanket of security and to eradicate the need to be aesthetically appreciated by all.
    Most of my ex-boyfriends were the Thespian type, insecure and dramatic. And while there was rarely a dull moment, high-maintenance relationships are bloody hard work. Particularly when
it’s the bloke who does all the demanding.
    Arriving at the car park, Chantelle releases her tight link of my arm and grips me loosely around the neck. Her temporary warmth takes away my internal chilliness and I feel good for supporting
her.
    “Thanks again, Tina. I’m so glad you were with me. I can’t wait to tell Colin, although you know what a cynic he is.” Her car bleeps and the lights flash as she presses
the key-fob before climbing into her convertible blue Mini. She climbs in with a natural grace that could teach royalty a thing or two. “See you Monday, Tina!” Then she