The Soft Whisper of Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

was all nonsense, a small part of her was superstitious enough to believe there might be a grain of truth in it. Her eyes gradually adjusted to the dim interior after the glare outside, and she went and sat down opposite a dark, elderly lady seated at a table.
    ‘Hello m’dear. Cross my palm with silver and I’ll tell your fortune.’ The woman was small and birdlike with piercing dark eyes and her hair, although threaded with grey, was still quite black and lustrous. She wore the customary colourful costume with layers of scarves and a multitude of dangling bracelets. Maddie tried to relax. It was all just an act. She took out the required amount of money and handed it over. It disappeared rapidly into a small cash box.
    ‘Right then, young lady, give me your hand please.’ Madame Romar took her hand and studied the palm carefully, tracing the various lines with a wrinkled finger and turning it over several times. ‘Hmmm.’
    Maddie waited in tense silence.
    Keeping hold of her hand, the woman then gazed into a small crystal ball on the table in front of her, and Maddie could have sworn she saw a swirling mist start up inside it. She blinked. Madame Romar stared fixedly into the ball for what seemed an eternity and Maddie tried not to fidget on her chair. Finally, when she was about ready to scream, the woman began to speak.
    ‘You are troubled, my child, and it is understandable. You’ve had a difficult time and it will be a while yet before your troubles are over.’
    Maddie frowned. This wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
    ‘I see a tall, dark, handsome man,’ the woman continued, and Maddie almost snorted. That was just too predictable, but Romar’s next words made her sit up and listen again. ‘He shares my blood and he will try to help you.’
    ‘Help me? With what?’
    ‘Shhh, do not break my concentration. I see danger. There is another dark man, he is evil, and there is a red-haired man, he is good. You must face them both before you can find happiness. But take care, the danger is strong.’
    Maddie stared at the woman. A dark man and a red-haired one, just like in her dream. How could the old gypsy possibly know about that?
    ‘But, how will I find them?’
    The gypsy patted her hand, looking sympathetic. ‘Perhaps they will find you? But don’t worry, there will be happiness in the end, as long as you let yourself believe in it. Remember that, have faith.’
    She wouldn’t say anything else, and Maddie stumbled out into the bright sunshine in a daze.
    ‘Finally! You’ve been in there for ages. What on earth did she say to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Kayla pulled her towards the ice cream stand, where the others were waiting.
    ‘I, that is ... oh Kayla, it was really weird. She said all sorts of strange things, and she talked about a dream I often have, at least that’s what it sounded like. How could she possibly know about that?’
    ‘I don’t know. Maybe she is truly psychic, like that other one I saw? That means I really will have a daughter …’ Kayla smiled happily.
    Maddie shivered despite the heat. ‘I hope she’s not. She said I’m in danger, but that I will find happiness eventually.’
    Kayla frowned. ‘Well, that was a pretty stupid thing to say. She must know she won’t get any more customers if she goes around telling people things like that. Forget it, it’s probably all a load of rubbish anyway.’
    Maddie wished with all her heart she could believe her friend, but now she wasn’t convinced any longer.
     
    Alex listened to the exchange between the two women with interest, although he pretended to be doing something else. He knew Madame Romar, as did Wes, although neither of them had let on. She was one of the gypsies who came to camp on Marcombe land once a year and they’d come across her already as children. She’d never told their fortune though, or at least not Alex’s. He wasn’t sure about Wes, but suspected his brother would have steered