All That She Can See(51)

‘You all right down there, Miss Redgrave?’

‘Oh, George. Hello. Yes. Fine.’ Cherry took the hand he was offering to her and he hoisted her off the floor. Her cheeks burned. She needed to pull it together. She couldn’t fall apart every time something bad happened.

‘You looked comfy down there.’ George gestured with his other hand that was holding a cup of tea. ‘I wouldn’t. Disgusting stuff,’ he said when he caught Cherry eyeing the cup. ‘Not even really sure what I’m doing here but everyone loves something free.’ He took a breath and then said very quickly, ‘Listen… I’m so sorry about the other day. I should never have got into that state and I should’ve listened to you about Chase. It’s not like you to get angry and I should have been a more supportive friend to you and stayed away from —’

‘Actually, it’s all okay,’ Cherry said, her breathing back to normal now. ‘Chase and I have… worked things out. We’ve been talking a lot recently. I think we both misjudged each other.’

‘I see,’ George said, an uncertain smile slowly spreading across his face. ‘Well, good for you… I think. Chase is a… handful.’

‘I know.’

‘Then again,’ he said playfully, ‘you punched him, so I guess… so are you.’ George nudged her with his elbow and Cherry’s cheeks rounded up into a smile.

‘Did you get your job back at the library?’ she asked.

‘Nah. I think that chapter of my life is well and truly over.’

‘Oh, George. I’m so sorry. I thought Sally would be able to get it back for you. She was furious when she left.’

‘It’s not that,’ George shook his head. ‘She did get me my job back but… I said I didn’t want it. I kept thinking about what you said, actually.’

‘Oh, no. What did I say?’ Cherry’s stomach somersaulted again.

‘You said “It’s never too late”. It probably wasn’t an original quote but it stayed with me all the same.’

‘It’s never too late for… ? What now? Do you have a plan?’

‘I’m putting my degree to use! Applying for jobs. There’s one in Truro that looks promising.’

‘Cornwall?’

George nodded. ‘I’ve never been, but as they say there’s a first time for everything.’

Cherry couldn’t help but feel impressed. Who would’ve thought George would take a risk like this? She smiled at him. ‘That’s terrific. I’m really proud of you, George.’

He blushed. ‘Well, it’s all down to —’

He was interrupted by the bell above the Psychic Sisters’ door ringing out again, but Cherry was too short to see what was going on.

‘Who was that? Leaving the shop? Was that Chase?’

‘Er…’ George was taller than Cherry but still had to tiptoe to see. ‘Yeah, I think so. Someone’s behind the podium anyway. Passing Velina… two glasses, I think. Champagne, it looks like.’

‘Ah, yes!’ Danior’s voice boomed through the mic. She swiped up her glass. ‘While you all have our,’ she smirked, ‘traditional tea, we thought we’d have something a bit stronger. We are celebrating, after all!’ She knocked back the glass and swallowed its contents in one. Velina sniffed hers first, as it seemed to have an odd froth floating on top, but after seeing her sister’s enthusiasm, she swallowed her drink down quickly too.

‘Cherry!’

Cherry turned to see Chase hurrying towards her. He swerved and ducked through handfuls of coins and the tea-filled cups. He’d cleaned most of the pie from his face but there were a handful of tell-tale stains on his clothes.

‘Chase! What did you do? I mean how did it go?’ She added quickly, turning her face away from George.

‘My aunt and mother never could resist a drink or two,’ Chase whispered, his lips brushing her earlobe. His hand found hers and he squeezed it. Cherry glanced at George, who was staring straight ahead – but she was certain he’d seen the intimacy between her and Chase.

‘Right! You all came here for a show, so let’s get started, shall we?’ Danior swirled the glittery hem of her dress, showing off her liver-spotted thighs, and sat in one of the black chairs.

‘It’s so cold out here,’ Cherry said, pulling her cardigan around her. ‘I don’t know how they both aren’t freezing in just those dresses.’

‘It’s the evil in their veins. It’s made of the fires from hell. Keeps them toasty warm while they carry out their sordid deeds.’

Cherry looked at him in surprise. ‘Will you keep your voice down?’ she hushed.

‘No, do you know what? I don’t think I will. Excuse me! Velina!’ Chase shouted over the crowd but he tried to mask his face with his hands at the same time. ‘Is it true you can’t actually speak to the dead?’

‘Yes,’ Velina said instantly, nodding enthusiastically. Danior looked appalled. She leaned across the table and slapped Velina hard across the cheek and the crowd gasped.

‘And is it true you’ve been taking everyone’s hard-earned money when they ask you for help, even though you know you don’t have any supernatural abilities?’