The Fortune Teller

Marie smiled with satisfaction as she counted up how much money she'd made so far today. It had been a brisk business day. Early January was always good. People wanting to know if this was going to be their year. What did the new year have in store? Would they get that dream job, win the lottery or meet the love of their life?

It never failed to amaze Marie how much these schmucks would pay to hear her tell them what they wanted to hear. Not that she was complaining. They paid her rent.

Marie hadn't gone into fortune telling because of any particular psychic gift. She'd never seen a ghost; she didn't communicate with spirits - she wasn't even sure she believed in them. The only gift she had was the gift of the gab, and that seemed to her more than enough to make some easy money from gullible people.

All she needed was a costume and a few props. She'd found a floaty skirt, a peasant blouse, a colourful headscarf and some large hooped earrings in a charity shop. A purple bedsheet from the same shop served as a tablecloth. The biggest outlay had been the crystal ball, from eBay. Now she was fully equipped, all the saps believed she was the real deal, and really could tell their future. All she had to do was tell them what they wanted to hear, and they'd all happily cross her palm with a twenty pound note.

Always cash. She didn't even have to tell the tax man.

She knew exactly what to say to all the common questions. Will I meet the love of my life this year? Yes. You'll meet a tall, dark, handsome man through your work in October. (By then, you'll have forgotten what I told you anyway, so there'll be no comeback when it doesn't happen.) Will I get my dream job? Yes, if you work hard and take every opportunity offered. (If you do complain it didn't happen, I can say, you didn't work hard enough, or the opportunity was a tiny classified ad you neglected to read.) Will I win the lottery? A small win is possible. But not very likely.

Today, Olivia sat in the chair opposite Marie. She seemed nervous. She clasped and unclasped her hands several times. 'What is it you'd like to know?' Marie asked.

Olivia bit her lip. She opened her mouth to speak twice before any words came out. 'I want to know if this is the year I'll get up enough courage to leave my husband,' she blurted out, finally.

'How long have you been married?' Marie asked.

'Five years.'

'How long have you wanted to leave him?'

'Four years and ten months.' Olivia brushed her hair back from her face, an unconscious gesture, but it revealed to Marie an angry bruise on the side of her cheek.

'Does he hit you?'

'Yes.'

'Undermines you in front of your friends?'

'Yes.'

'Do you work?'

'No. He won't let me.'

'Children?'

'We tried. I didn't get pregnant for ages; of course it was all my fault; I wasn't woman enough. Then it finally happened, but he saw me talking to a male neighbour one day. We were only talking about why the bin men hadn't been, but Larry took it to mean I was sleeping with the guy and the baby wasn't his. So he beat me and I lost the baby.' Olivia paused and dabbed her eyes.

What a complete and utter asshole, Marie thought. 'If you did leave him, do you have anywhere to go?' she asked.

'I'm in touch with a women's refuge. They say I can turn up there any time; but I'm too scared to do it. I don't know how I'll survive without Larry. I haven't worked for four years. I keep hoping one day I'll be brave enough, but I never am. Do you think I'll be brave enough this year?'

Marie knew exactly what she needed to say. 'Absolutely. Definitely. In fact, I can see you being brave enough this week, never mind this year.'

'Really?'

'It's not easy, I know that - but this really is your year. You've had just about enough.'

'Oh, thank you! Thank you!' Olivia gushed, handing over a twenty pound note.

For once, Marie waved it aside. 'My guide is telling me not to take your money today. Keep it for your taxi fare to the refuge.'

Olivia left. Marie closed the flap of her tent, and began packing away the tools of her trade. It would be what you call a self-fulfilling prophecy. Olivia had needed that one final push; to be told she had the courage. Now she'd been told she had it, she'd find it. If Olivia hadn't asked that question, she might never leave. Perhaps now, thanks to Marie, she would, and soon, ideally before Larry went too far and actually killed her.

A month later, Olivia came back. The difference in her was all too noticeable. She was more smartly dressed, had had her hair done, made up her face, and the bruises were mostly gone. 'You were right!' Olivia said. 'In fact, the very day after I came to see you, I called a cab and went to the refuge while Larry was out at the gym. They found me a job, and I'm saving up for a deposit on my own place. I can't thank you enough.'

'Well done you,' Marie said, 'but don't thank me. I didn't do anything but tell you what you wanted to hear. You always had the courage - I only made you aware it was there.'