Love at Second Sight Read Free Page A

all. She told me I needed to focus on what I want to do when I leave school. That I have a tendency to start and stop things,
not see things through.’
    ‘Well, she got that right,’ I said. ‘But no mention of soulmates or anything?’
    ‘Nope. Nadah. I wish she had.’
    ‘Nor me,’ said Tash. ‘She told me that I would probably go abroad in the future and that it would be a good experience.’
    ‘Gap year. That one’s easy’ I said. ‘She guessed your age. Loads of people travel before college or uni so it’s not hard to put two and two together there. Hey, did
she do the deep voice and swaying?’
    ‘No,’ Effy and Tash chorused.
    What deep voice?’ asked Tash.
    ‘Like she was possessed. Bit spooky if I’m honest but I guess it’s part of the act. Did she really not do it when you were in?’
    Tash and Effy shook their heads.
    ‘It was probably her spirit guide coming through. Loads of mediums have them,’ said Effy. ‘Usually Native Americans or great souls.’
    ‘What if it was the spirit of Ethel, the dinner lady, or Fred, the dustbin man?’ I said. ‘Why do the guides always have to be exotic?’
    Effy shrugged. ‘I don’t know. They just are.’
    ‘I think what she said sounds wonderful,’ said Tash dreamily. ‘Someone you’ve known in a past life. Maybe even lots of past lives. A love destined to be time after
time.’
    ‘Oh, come on. I mean look at me, Tash. Look at my jacket, my style. Victorian, vintage. She took one look at me and that set her off. Because I dress like this, she made up a story about
me being a governess in Victorian times. She must take her clues from people’s appearance. She’s got a good imagination, I’ll give her that.’
    ‘But maybe that is why you dress like that, Jo,’ said Effy. ‘Because you were Henrietta and you’re still stuck in the past.’
    I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. ‘God, you two are so gullible, you’d believe any old tosh. I simply like vintage style. Me and hundreds of others. Does that mean we were
all Victorians in our last lives?’
    Effy looked put out. ‘Maybe.’
    I rolled my eyes. ‘I despair. The here and now, that’s all we’ve got, Effy, the present moment and Minted are about to play. I’m going to forget all about what Betty said
and go and get a good place to listen and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. End of.’
    Effy glanced mischievously at Tash. ‘OK. Lead the way . . . Henrietta.’
    I playfully went to swipe her but she ducked. ‘Nutjob,’ I said.

Chapter Four
    Finn O’Brady. Tall, fit, tousled black hair, a teenage girl’s dream. He had charm, charisma, a wicked twinkle in his dark brown eyes, and knew how to work a crowd,
directing some of the slower numbers to girls in the audience. He even sang some lines to me. As he looked into my eyes, I felt the words right down to my toes. Maybe he had noticed me at the
magazine meetings after all.
    ‘Maybe he’s Howard,’ whispered Effy.
    ‘Hope not. He’s way too full of himself to be good boyfriend material,’ I said as Finn turned away from me and directed the rest of the song to a stunning girl with long dark
auburn hair in the middle of the crowd. She had a tender look in her eyes as she smiled back at him.
    ‘I think she’s with him,’ said Tash. ‘I saw them together before the band went on stage.’
    The girl looked every inch a rock singer’s girlfriend in a tiny denim skirt and cowboy boots. I should have known he wouldn’t be single. Not that I care , I thought.
    ‘Hey, look,’ said Effy. ‘The bass player. Isn’t that Ben?’
    I looked over to where Effy was pointing. ‘Ben who?’
    ‘Ben Fraser,’ replied Effy.
    ‘He was the year above us in junior school. Bit of a loner.’
    ‘Can’t say I remember him, junior school was a while ago,’ I said as I looked over at the boy Effy was talking about. He was tall and slim with dark, longish hair and was
wearing shades so I couldn’t see his face properly. I