The Garden of Stars by Zoe Chamberlain Read Free Book Online Page B

on both feet, the lunging warrior pose.
    Â I concluded the yoga session after twenty minutes and moved on to astrology. I didn’t want to overexert anyone, although they seemed disappointed it had come to an end so quickly.
    Â â€˜OK,’ I said, feeling much more positive and capable than half an hour ago, ‘everyone please gather round the table in a circle.’
    Â They did as they were told instantly.
    Â â€˜Here before me is an almanac, it lets us know which are auspicious days for each of us. It is governed by the moon, the stars, and our birth dates. I can read each person’s individual horoscope over the course of the next few weeks but I shall only be able to do one person’s at a time. Tonight I feel it’s important for me to read Maureen Sprockett’s. I shall perform the astrological reading in front of everyone, if that is acceptable to you, Maureen?’
    Â Maureen nodded.
    Â â€˜Let us commence. Please feel free to ask any questions as we’re going along. What is your date of birth, Maureen?’
    Â â€˜September 23, 1955,’ she said. The date was actually irrelevant. I had no idea how to read full astrology, only the bare basics my mother had taught me and, in this instance, I wouldn’t even be using that because all I wanted was to find out how she was getting on with the research.
    Â â€˜Maureen, according to Saturn’s alignment with Jupiter, you are looking for something. Is that right, Maureen?’
    Â She nodded.
    Â â€˜I feel more than that, I feel like you’re searching. This has something to do with your history, your background, am I right, Maureen?’
    Â She nodded, once more.
    Â â€˜Does this search leave you feeling bewildered, confused or unable to cope?’
    Â Maureen shook her head. That was good.
    Â â€˜Ah, so the search into one’s self is a positive one in this instance. How close do you feel you are to finding all that you are looking for?’
    Â â€˜Very close,’ said Maureen, solemnly.
    Â â€˜That’s good. Is there anything you feel you’re lacking in this search?’
    Â â€˜Yes,’ said Maureen, ‘I’m struggling to correlate all the information …’
    Â â€˜In your mind,’ I jumped in. I didn’t want her blowing our cover by being too direct. ‘I see. Perhaps it would help to physically write down what you’re finding, I’m feeling a strong sense someone in this room could help you with that. And that person is Mrs Donaldson. Do you think you could offer some assistance, Mrs Donaldson?’
    Â Mrs Donaldson nodded. In fact she looked delighted. I could see she understood and would call into the library at the first opportunity she had. It was obvious that try as they might Maureen and Janice could not physically get through all the volumes of historical reference in the library between just the two of them.
    Â â€˜Good. That concludes the end of today’s reading. We shall look at someone else’s next week. Thank you all for coming; please do feel free to bring a towel or blanket to lie on next time so that you can feel as comfortable as possible.’
    Â Everything seemed to be going to plan. While I was afraid the mayor and vicar may have enjoyed the yoga a little too much and be keen to return next week, I had little doubt they were so confused by the astrology session they would write off the whole thing as claptrap.
    Â Meanwhile, Maureen had managed to communicate her problems to me and we had been able to resolve them without giving anything away. It seemed, with a little luck, everything was on schedule. I just needed her to remember to put up the sign on the church notice board when everything was ready but I had little fear she would forget.
    I watched as they made their way back down the hill, arm in arm, until all I could hear was the odd chuckle in the distance.
    I was right about the