A Boss to Love and Hate
Julie looked out the window of the central London cafe and sniffled, she held back her tears before turning to look her best friend, Linda, in the eye. "I've had it up to here with men, I'm now officially unsuccessfully single, I'll just have to get used to it. If this is how it's going to be, then so be it."
Linda shook her head. "You're just going through a dry patch, don't worry, it happens to everyone. It'll all work out in the end, you'll see. The year before I got married I was alone for months, I thought it would never end and then when I least expected it I bumped into Roger and the rest is history."
Julie bit her lip and wiped a tear from her eye. "This dry spell has been going on a little too long. It's 18 months since George dumped me. I've just got no confidence left. Even if I met a great guy right now I don't know if I can handle more heartbreak."
Linda reached across the table to hold Julie's hand and looked her straight in the eye. "Never give up, you hear me? Whoever gets to go out with you will be very fortunate. You have so much to offer. And don't forget it! And remember too, I'm always here for you, you have my complete support."
"Thank you, Linda. I really don't know what I'd do without you. I really don't." Julie sniffled.
Linda stood up and grabbed her coat. "I almost forgot, I have a special surprise for you. There's someone I'd like you to meet, not for a date, don't worry. He helped me when I was losing hope, before I met Roger and he's waiting to meet you, I booked an appointment but we've only got 5 minutes to get there, so let's hurry."
Julie raised her eyebrows and reluctantly reached for her coat. "Oh, a surprise? I'm all nervous now. Ok then, let's go."
They hurried down the street and into the lanes, past an eclectic mix of alternative shops, selling everything from music to trinkets to hand crafted furniture. Linda led the way and opened the door to a small bookshop. "Quick, in here."
At the back of the shop, Linda opened a purple door and Julie cautiously followed her into a small room. They both sat down at a round wooden table and looked around the rainbow colored room before an old man with a long white beard walked in and closed the door behind him.
"Hello ladies, good afternoon, Linda. And you must be, Julie," his eyes lit up and as he shook Julie's hand she felt a wave of peacefulness radiate through her. She liked this unusual man.
"I'm, Merlin the Fortuneteller. But you can call me, Merlin," he smiled. The girls laughed, he took a seat and turned to Julie. "Julie, today I will read your palm, I will look into your destiny and tell you the choices you have, the path that lies ahead, if you like. If you can hold the palms of your hands facing up on the table, we can get started."
Julie did as she was told and winked at Linda. Linda had told her about this place a long time ago. Never one to entertain New Age ideas she decided to go along with the theatre and keep her mouth shut. After all, it would be a bit of fun and it couldn't cause any harm.
Merlin looked down at her open palms and began. "Interesting, very interesting. I see travel in your near future to a country where they don't speak English, not a great distance, somewhere in Europe is most likely. You are not there on holiday you go there to work and you do well. Now, what else? I see you have good health and that continues to be the case, in body and in mind, you are becoming stronger. This is a very intense energy, your aura is bright and radiant. I can tell you often lead people without even trying, people are attracted to your courage and persistence in the face of challenges. You are a born leader and even though you don't always see yourself this way others look up to you.
"Let's look at finances now. Your career is steady and prosperous. New opportunities are on the horizon for you to grasp. And the conditions are excellent for progression. The only caution is that you must
Sharon Kleve, Jennifer Conner, Danica Winters, Casey Dawes