Second Chances at Samphire Bay (Samphire Bay Village #1)

Chapter 13

The vicar’s prayers had been answered and a glorious sun shone in a cloudless blue sky for the Tea by the Sea charity event. An area of grass ran along part of the bay before sloping down into sand dunes. Opposite it stood a row of pretty white cottages, with colourful front lawns divided by picket fences, a medieval church and a village hall. There was a cobbled square containing a large stone cross. The grass area was large and flat, making it the perfect place to set up the tables, chairs and the tea tent. Various stalls containing cakes, books and bric-a-brac had also been put up. Jim, the local farmer, had supplied his shepherd’s hut for Bunty, as arranged at the church committee. She had dressed it up with bunting and made the interior as cosy as possible, whilst adding an air of mystique. Well, she’d covered the table with a silver cloth and lit a few tea lights. The ‘crystal ball’ looked surprisingly good, considering she’d kept to her word and tipped a goldfish bowl upside down and filled it with fairy lights. Her fortune teller costume really finished the whole effect off nicely. She had an array of bandanas to choose from but opted to put her hair up in a bun, not wanting to seem her usual self. She wore large, gold hoop earrings, a long, black dress and a red shawl. She added more rings and bracelets and her make-up was a touch bolder: brighter lipstick, heavy eyeliner, lots of blusher and black nail varnish. All in all, Bunty was quite pleased with the result.

Ned had made sure he’d taken enough photographs of her and the gypsy caravan for the church website. He was going to have enormous fun choosing from all the pictures he’d snapped of everyone involved in the event.

‘Well, Bunty, you certainly look the part,’ grinned the vicar.

‘Yes I do, don’t I?’ She gave a toss of her head, enjoying how her earrings swung dramatically with the motion. ‘Just you wait, vicar, we’ll soon have that church roof repaired,’ she quipped with a nudge.

‘Hmm, let’s hope so.’ With a faint smile, he turned and moved on.

Down of the beach, Jim had also brought Melvin, his cute little donkey, for the children to ride on. Poor old Melvin was carted out twice a year for Samphire Bay, once for the outdoor Christmas nativity and this Tea by the Sea occasion. He took it in his stride and plodded on. Today Melvin wore a jaunty straw hat, out of which poked his ears.

Trish was in the tea tent getting more flustered by the minute. She rather envied Bunty sat down nicely in her gypsy caravan without all this commotion. Already dreading the busy day ahead, she promised herself a sit down and decided she’d get a ‘reading’ from Rosy-Lee, despite her original reservations.

Meanwhile Jack and Robin had showed their support by buying plenty of cake and sat scoffing them at one of the tables.

‘So, how did the big date go then?’ asked Jack between mouthfuls of Bakewell slice.

‘I told you, it wasn’t a date,’ Robin said, before swilling the rest of his tea down.

‘Yeah, yeah, course it wasn’t. So, how did the friendly-meal-with-your-neighbour go then?’

Robin couldn’t help but grin. In spite of Jack being a pain in the backside a lot of the time, he did enjoy the banter they’d always shared.

‘It was good.’ he said with a nod.

‘How good?’ Jack arched an eyebrow.

Robin laughed. ‘Just… good. Time flew. Jasmine’s really good company.’

‘Did you kiss?’ Jack asked directly, as only he would.

‘No. Not that it’s any of your business.’ Robin stared him out.

‘I get it, not a friend with bene—’

‘Hello, Jack, Robin,’ a voice interrupted from behind, causing them to startle and turn around abruptly.

‘Hi, Jasmine,’ Robin said, getting up. ‘Here, sit down, I’ll get another chair.’ He left them momentarily to fetch one.

Sat facing Jack, Jasmine saw he at least had the grace to blush, having caught the tail end of the conversation. She felt sure Jack was referring to a ‘friend with benefits’ and didn’t care for the expression. Even more so when she suspected he may have been talking about her, albeit teasing Robin. None of this did much to change her opinion of him. Looking at Jack now, it was pretty clear he knew this too, judging by the way he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

‘So, how are you settling in on Samphire Bay?’ he attempted polite conversation.

‘Fine, thanks,’ Jasmine replied, looking him straight in the eye.

Thankfully for Jack, Robin soon reappeared.

‘Have you seen Bunty?’ he laughed, thumbing behind him to where her gypsy caravan was.

‘Yeah, I think I might just pay her a visit,’ said Jack, taking the opportunity to leave.

Jasmine couldn’t help but snort at the idea. ‘What, get your cards read?’

‘Why not? It’s just a bit of fun,’ he replied, a touch defensively.

‘And for a good cause too,’ joined in Robin, then turned to Jasmine. ‘Fancy getting a reading?’

‘I will if you will,’ she countered with a grin.

‘You’re on.’ He held out his hand to shake on the deal.

Jack left them to it, feeling somewhat of a gooseberry. Regardless of what his mate said, the chemistry between those two was palpable. Reaching the shepherd’s hut, he read the sign outside it:

￡10 for a tarot card reading. Let gypsy Rosy-Lee reveal your

fortune!

Ten quid? Bloody hell, Bunty better give him good news, thought Jack as he reached for his wallet and climbed up the wooden steps into the hut.

Stifling a laugh, he sat down to face Bunty.

‘Hello, Bunty,’ he said, straining to keep a straight face when seeing the goldfish bowl.

‘It’s Rosy-Lee,’ she corrected, reaching for the pack of tarot cards.

‘Of course, sorry Rosy-Lee,’ he replied, pursing his lips.

She placed a row of cards face down on the table before him.

‘Pick a card, Jack.’ He did as she told him and pointed to the middle one. ‘Ah, the Lovers,’ announced Bunty as she turned it over. The card showed a man and woman stood in the Garden of Eden, with the tree of life behind the man and the tree of knowledge behind the woman. She described what the figures represented. ‘Relationships and choices, Jack,’ she declared in a mystical voice.

‘What relationships?’ Jack said flatly.

‘Not an existing one,’ continued Bunty, ‘but there’ll be a temptation of heart, or choice of a potential partner.’

‘I see,’ said Jack, not wholly convinced. It was a good job this was for charity, or he’d be demanding his tenner back. Outside the hut he could hear giggles. Recognising them as Jasmine’s he got up to go. ‘Thanks Bunt— Rosy-Lee.’ He smiled and made his leave.

Outside, Robin and Jasmine stood grinning like Cheshire cats. Jack gave them a cynical look with a raised brow. ‘All yours,’ he told them.

Jasmine went in first, not quite knowing what to expect. At seeing her, Bunty’s face lit up.

‘Ah, Jasmine, come and take a seat,’ she welcomed.

Jasmine too was trying hard to conceal laughter at seeing the whole set-up. She stared into Bunty’s face and was instantly reminded of those photographs Robin had found. From the first time she’d met Bunty Deville, Jasmine had believed there was more to her than met the eye.

Bunty placed a row of cards on the table and requested Jasmine to pick one. On doing so, Bunty then turned it over.

‘The Moon,’ she said with interest.

‘What does that mean?’ asked Jasmine.

‘It represents emotion, reflective and mysterious.’ Bunty held her gaze and Jasmine blinked, a little taken aback. ‘It’s a feminine sign, the yin… to a future yang,’ finished Bunty in a gentle voice. She reached out a hand to touch Jasmine’s arm. ‘Don’t be alarmed, I’m not really a fortune-telling gypsy,’ she whispered, eyes twinkling with mischief. Jasmine smiled.

‘I know,’ she said, then added, ‘but you are quite a character, aren’t you, Bunty?’

‘Am I?’ The corners of Bunty’s mouth twitched.

‘Yes,’ Jasmine said resolutely, but she couldn’t resist asking: ‘Have you ever found a yang to your yin?’

The question floored Bunty. Jasmine took in the initial shock, then the sadness of her expression. There was a long pause before Bunty spoke in a hoarse voice.

‘It’s your cards I’m reading, not mine. Could you send the next person in please?’

Clearly dismissed, Jasmine left the hut feeling rather odd. Robin was waiting outside.

‘You OK?’ he asked with concern.

‘Yes, fine. Your turn.’ She gave a tight smile.

When Robin entered he was a little puzzled to find Bunty looking subdued, still and staring into space.

‘Bunty?’ he queried. She turned at hearing him.

‘Robin, come in.’ She forced a bright smile. Shuffling the cards, she did the same as before and placed a row in front of him. ‘Now then, let’s see what’s in store for you.’ She indicated for him to choose one. When she flipped it over, a slow beam spread across her face, followed by a soft chuckle. ‘The Sun,’ she revealed. ‘The best card, Robin.’

‘Really, why?’ he asked, peering at the card as if it would tell him its secrets.

‘Yes, it represents good fortune, happiness, joy and harmony.’

‘I like the sound of that,’ laughed Robin.

‘Hmm, it also represents the universe coming together and agreeing with your path and aiding forward movement into something greater.’

‘Blimey, the whole universe, eh?’

Bunty sat back in reflection. To her, it was no coincidence that the card that came before Robin’s Sun was Jasmine’s Moon. The yin and yang cards, together they symbolised a time of growth and transformation, as well as a need for balance and harmony; so fitting in her eyes. Together, Jasmine and Robin had only reconfirmed what she already truly believed: they made the perfect couple.

‘Worth every penny,’ Robin chirped.

‘Glad I cheered you up,’ Bunty said but then noticed him stall, as if wanting to say something. ‘What is it, Robin?’

‘Err… Bunty, I found an old chest in the cottage attic and it contained an envelope with old photographs in it.’ He could tell this had made an impact, as her expression shifted.

‘Photographs? What kind of photographs?’ she asked sharply.

‘Of a young couple, probably taken in the Sixties,’ he replied. ‘I think they may be of you,’ he quietly added.

Bunty blinked, dumbfounded. This was the second time that afternoon she’d been caught off guard.

‘I’ll give them to you,’ Robin spoke softly.

Bunty coughed, still not knowing what to say. There was a pregnant pause.

‘Yes, thank you, Robin,’ she murmured.

‘Right then, I’ll let you get on.’ Robin tried to sound as assertive as possible. Bunty didn’t respond, just silently nodded.