"Life is hard" copyright Sue2007

A handwritten sign on the red door proclaimed:

"My Rules".

1.Please knock and come straight in.
2.Do not smoke.
3.Do not bring in food or drink.
4.No black cats.
5.Do not bring in packs of tarot cards or bags of runes.

"Is that a bag of runes in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?"sniggered Hector.
"Shhh!"hissed the girls.
"Doesn't look much like a mysterious gypsy's house"he muttered.
"Shhh!"
They looked around.The house was a 1930s semi,identical to the others in the road,but marking its individuality by bright-painted woodwork,and overgrown grass,on which was perched a rusty bow-legged Victorian bath.
Hector hadn't wanted to come .His fiancee's sudden desire to look into a crystal ball he thought was ridiculous,"Madame Zaza" of all things.And then dragging along her giggly best friend Annie for "moral support".Sometimes he felt he was marrying Annie as well as Jane.
Even Annie hadn't wanted to see the future."Nah,reckon what'll happen,will happen anyway.Don't need no crystal ball for that",she'd said.He looked back on his conversation with Jane last week.
"Madame Zaza told Cindy she was going to travel,and then she went on that day trip to Bognor",Jane said.
"Oh well, that's really travelling the seven seas".
"Don't you want to know the future?She can tell us about our married life.The wedding's only next month."
"Surely you don't need Madame Zaza to tell you we'll live happily ever after and have two children?"Whatever will be,will be."
"But if you already knew then you could be excited.It'll be interesting.And if it was bad,then you'd be ready for it at least."
"She wouldn't tell you anything bad,they never do.Its all really vague,like you're going to come into some money,then if you pick up sixpence on the pavement,she'll tell you she was right."
"Oh,you are so cynical.Anyway , I'm going,and you've got to come with me."
"Why do I have to come?"
Jane threw her fiance a withering look."For the atmosphere of course.You're my intended,and I
feel I need your aura near me."
"Aura huh",thought Hector,as Jane knocked loudly,and the trio entered through a narrow corridor.The house was dark after the bright sunlight.They were faced with a fluorescent orange arrow pointing to the left.Clustered around,facing the door,they read another hand-written sign.
"Please wait for Madame Zaza to receive you."
Hector coughed loudly."She should have seen us in her crystal ball while we were walking down the street."
"Shhh!"
The door opened.In all her splendour,the clairvoyant was revealed.She must have been at least six feet tall,and she wore a purple flaming robe adorned with silver stars.Her head was crowned with what appeared to be a pink lampshade.
Hector stifled a laugh."Straight out of central casting"he thought.
Madame Zaza peered directly at Jane.Her hands were weighted by silver rings with huge stones in all rainbow colours.Her face was partly hidden by the pink fringes of her headgear.She could be any age from twenty to a hundred.
"You"she said.Her voice was low and attractive.
"Come in,dearie."Annie began to shuffle in behind Jane,but Madame Zaza firmly intoned "No,just you,alone."
Jane frowned,and Annie looked disappointed."You two,ther's a waiting area opposite."
Hector and Annie went in to a tiny room with a shabby green sofa,and several mismatched chairs."Can't pay much,this fortune-telling."
"Oh Hector,she does it for love,not money,to help people."
"Oh yeah?Anyway,how long do you think they'll be?"
"As long as it takes.I suppose you can't rush these things."
Hector sat down on a hard chair,and jiggled his feet impatiently.He picked up an issue of "Crystal Tomorrow"magazine,and put it down again.Annie stared out at the back garden,wtaching two ravens quarrel on a rickety bird table.
Inside the parlour,Madame Zaza's beringed hands were clasped round her crystal ball.Jane also stared intently at it,hoping to see something.Both of them were gloomily watched by a stuffed owl.The silence grew,and diffused through the dust motes.Jane felt her heart beating,and wished the lady wold speak.She gazed around,feeling awkward.The curtains were drawn,yet the room was still shaded a light grey.There was little to look at,other than the owl and a shelf of Queen's coronation china.
Finally the mystic spoke.
"Life is hard,but sometimes you have to make choices".
"What do you mean?"
"Well,I really shouldn't tell you this dearie,but I have only one thing to say to you today.You aren't going to like it,but I am only an instrument of the sphere,and it tells me this.If you marry that man,you will not be happy."
"What are you talking about?We're getting married very soon!Why won't we be happy?"
"I don't receive all these details,just a picture.That man will not bring you happiness.You will regret it."
Her voice was grave.A cold shiver went through Jane.
"But what if we just postpone the wedding?What can we do to avoid the problem?I love Hector."
"I'm sure you do,but he's not the man for you.Just think about what I've said."
"Is that it?All you're going to say?Nothing else?"
"I'm sorry dear.The crystal is silent now."
Jane blinked back tears,and grabbed her coat.She flung open the door,and almost bumped into the others as they left the waiting room.They filed outside,Annie closing the door quickly.
Madame Zaza gazed after them,shaking her head.Her fringe rattled.
"Well?"chorused Hector and Annie."What did she say?Tell us."
Silence."Well?"
Jane sighed,shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh,nothing much."