Free The Cinderella Reflex by Joan Brady Page A

Helene to stop being a bully, for Jack McCabe not to take over the radio station and throw her out of her job. To be back in Bali. Or to have a different job altogether, a fantastic high-profile career so she could swan into the reunion Chris Conroy was organising with her head held high.
    “But the point is,” Grandma Rosa rolled her big brown eyes dramatically again, “this is going to affect my living. That’s why I hired a webmaster to get me on the Net. Is that how you heard of me?”
    “Er … yes, actually,” Tess replied.
    “Well, it must be working then.” Rosa looked satisfied. “He’s going to set me up on Facebook and Twitter next. So,” she sank down into the sofa beside Tess and looked at her sharply, “what can I do for you now? Tarot, the crystal ball, tea leaves?”
    “Well …” Tess began but stopped at the sound of the front door knocker banging again.
    “Just give me a minute.” Grandma Rosa sprang off the sofa and marched out to answer the door. Moments later she returned with a man in tow.
    “I have another client,” she announced cheerily. “That Net is a miracle. Now if you can both wait here while I go and clear the parlour of Mrs O’Brien’s aura, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
    Tess smiled uncertainly at the newcomer. He was tall and rangy-looking with very dark hair curling over his collar and a natural tan he hadn’t acquired in Ireland – not at this time of the year, anyway. He was dressed in faded blue denim jeans and a light cotton shirt. No jewellery. No wedding ring. Gay?
    He raised his eyebrows and Tess flushed as she realised he knew she was checking him out.
    “So – is she any good?” He jerked his head in the direction of the kitchen door.
    “Haven’t a clue – I’ve never been here before. It’s your first time too then?”
    “Yeah.” He gave a wry smile. “My sister says it’s cheaper than therapy. And more fun.”
    Tess frowned. “I don’t think fortune telling is suitable for serious problems that require therapy . ”
    “Don’t look so worried – my problem isn’t that serious. I just need some advice about something I can’t make up my mind about. So, in the interests of being open to new experiences – here I am.”
    He flopped down into an armchair. Tess thought it weird that a guy would go to a fortune teller. Still, if he had a problem …
    Her eyes widened a fraction as her brain caught up with what he’d just said. Here was someone sitting in front of her who had a problem and was looking for advice about it. Exactly what she was looking for! She took a deep breath.
    “So what sort of problem do you have then?”
    He let out a sigh. “It’s a very boring sort of problem, I’m afraid. It’s not a big love triangle or anything as interesting.”
    “So.” Tess looked at him speculatively. “Let me guess then. Is it to do with a dysfunctional family?”
    “Sort of.” He sounded impressed. “Hey, how did you know that?”
    Hah, she thought triumphantly. All that swotting up on the agony columns had paid off already.
    “I happen to have a particular interest in people with problems, that’s all,” she said, shrugging nonchalantly.
    “Really? Why?” He steepled his fingers in front of him and watched her closely.
    “Well, it’s just at the moment. I mean …” she hesitated – she hoped she wouldn’t sound slightly insane, “I’m actually looking for people with problems. So I can solve them.”
    “Really?” He gave her a disbelieving look.
    “Yes, really. It’s part of my job. Well,” she amended, “what will be my job – if I can make it work.” She took another deep breath. “ My problem, you see, is that I don’t actually have any people to tell me what their problems are.”
    “What sort of a job is that?” He looked baffled.
    “It’s in a radio station. I’m a producer there at the moment. But I’m about to become … er … an agony aunt.”
    He sat up straighter. “A radio agony aunt?