Never Close Your Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page B

greys, browns and creams.
    The rest of the ramshackle house made Evie’s head ache, but her bedroom felt peaceful and soothing. The only problem was that Neil was no longer there to share it with her.
    She slipped off her clothes, dropped them on the dumpy little armchair in the corner and pulled on her white cotton nightie. Then she climbed into bed and grabbed the phone beside her. She knew the number off by heart.
    A deep, throaty voice answered immediately: ‘Zelda speakin’.’ She didn’t sound surprised even though it was midnight.
    â€˜Hi Zelda, it’s Evie, Evie Freestone.’
    There was a pause.
    â€˜I hope it’s not too late?’
    Evie heard the sound of a match being lit. Another pause. She knew Zelda smoked. She waited.
    â€˜Of course not, darlin’,’ the voice came back at last. Zelda had a distinct cockney twang. Evie could almost smell the tobacco smoke wafting through the handset. ‘What can I do for you?’
    Evie badly wanted to pour her heart out but she didn’t know where to begin. ‘I’ve just come home from an evening out with friends,’ she started. ‘We went to a meeting then for a drink . . .’
    Tears started to well in her eyes again and trickle down the back of her throat, making her splutter. She couldn’t finish. She hadn’t expected this; she hadn’t realised quite how upset she felt.
    Zelda made a cooing noise. ‘There, there,’ she said huskily. ‘You had a nice evenin’ out and now you’ve got back to an empty house?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Evie whispered. ‘Well, the children are asleep. I feel so lonely. I miss Neil so much. I don’t know what to do.’ The last words came out as a sort of wail. She reached for a tissue and blew her nose. There was a box to hand at the side of the bed.
    â€˜Come now,’ Zelda said softly. ‘No need to cry. Would you like me to do a readin’?’
    Evie felt her spirits lift. ‘Yes please. I could do with some good news.’
    â€˜Shall I put it on yer usual card?’
    Evie didn’t like to think what this would cost. At £1.50 a minute it wasn’t cheap. She’d already spent a fortune on Zelda but she was worth every penny.
    â€˜Now close yer eyes,’ Zelda went on, ‘and concentrate very carefully while I make a connection.’
    Evie sank back on the pillows and did as she was told. It was such a relief to put herself in someone else’s hands, not to have to think for herself.
    â€˜Ah yes,’ Zelda said at last, ‘I can see why you’re upset. Someone wasn’t very kind to you today?’
    Evie gulped. ‘No.’ She waited, ears pricked, for more.
    â€˜A woman?’ Zelda asked.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜An older woman – with glasses? I think I can see glasses.’
    â€˜Yes,’ Evie repeated. ‘Pamela, that’s her name. She was horrible to me at my writing group. Picked my work apart.’
    Zelda tutted. ‘Stay away from her, sweet’art,’ she warned, ‘she’s a negative influence. She has a bad aura. You must surround yourself only with positive people who’ll make you feel better, who’ll help you heal.’
    Evie breathed in deeply and clasped the phone tighter to her ear. Zelda was so perceptive. She was always right. Pamela was no good for her. She took a deep breath. ‘What about the future?’ she whispered. ‘Can you see . . . will Neil ever come back?’
    She had butterflies in her stomach. Was she making a mistake – pushing Zelda too far?
    Zelda was silent for a few moments. It felt like an eternity. ‘No, darlin’,’ she said finally. ‘I’ve told you before.’
    Evie’s brain started to swim. That sounded so definite. Surely there was some hope?
    â€˜But you will meet someone else,’ Zelda went on. ‘Someone who’ll be better for