Eighteen Kisses

gold swirls coming out of it. I arrived at the stall, pulled back the purple velvet curtain and stepped inside. Lauren was sitting there, with a book open in front of her.

‘Oh, hey,’ she said. ‘Jacki, right?’

She was wearing a green silk shawl, which gave her a mystical look. Her brown hair was tied up in a bun. She was also wearing big gold hoop earrings and lots of bracelets.

‘Hi,’ I said. ‘Thanks for seeing me today. I know you’re really busy.’

‘Yeah, sure, have a seat,’ she said. ‘I know, it’s crazy busy these days, lots of people wanting to know their futures. I’ll have my student loan paid off in no time if things keep going the way they are.’

‘What are you studying?’ I asked.

‘Commercial Law,’ she said. ‘I’m in my final year. This is really handy because I get to pick my own hours and the money is pretty good.’

‘How much do you charge, if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘Sixty euro a session,’ she said. ‘That’s for about half an hour.’

‘Wow.’

‘You should start doing it yourself,’ she said. ‘If you’ve got any sort of psychic ability, then you should give it a try.’

I laughed. I didn’t think it was my sort of thing.

‘So, you want to ask me about the party?’ she said.

‘Yeah,’ I replied. ‘Do you remember much about it?’

‘I got there kind of late because I was waiting on my dad to get home so he could give me a lift. I’d got Kayla this really cool fake fish-tank thing to hang on her wall, but it was super-heavy so I couldn’t bring it on the bus. I got there and the party was packed already. I knew most of the people there, but not everyone. I was in Kayla’s year, but not in her class. I knew her really well from camera club though, and also through Hazel because I used to work at Rage at weekends. I went home pretty early too because my parents are super-strict about studying, and we had the mocks coming up. I was out of there by twelve thirty. So I’m not much help, I’m afraid.’

‘Do you remember noticing anything… now, looking back on it?’

‘No, I can’t really remember much at all; it’s all kind of a blur. You know when you’re not consciously observing stuff things just slip past you? I couldn’t even tell you what most of the people were wearing. I’m not even sure what I was wearing. It’s weird.’

‘Did you know Kayla was seeing Luke?’

‘No, she kept that one quiet! She probably wouldn’t have told me anyway. We weren’t that close, but I’m surprised Amy didn’t know. Although I think Kayla kept it quiet because she didn’t want Kev to find out. I think she still really cared for him, even though she didn’t want to be with him any more. Although that’s just my opinion. I’m not really sure.’

‘Thanks,’ I said.

‘Sorry I couldn’t really be more help.’

‘No, it’s fine. Anything at all that you can tell me is great.’

‘So tell me, Jacki,’ she said. ‘Do you think Kayla’s dead?’

‘You must know already,’ I said. ‘If you’re a fortune-teller? You must know if she’s coming back or not.’

‘I tell people I don’t know,’ she said. ‘But you’re right, yeah, I have a feeling. I just hope I’m wrong.’

She must have suspected that Kayla was dead too, I thought.

‘Am I wrong?’ she asked, her voice quivering.

‘I probably shouldn’t discuss details of the case,’ I said, ‘without checking with Detective Sergeant Lawlor if it’s OK.’

‘Oh, of course,’ she said, but she could probably guess what I meant by that.

‘I suppose I better get going,’ I said.

‘I have some time before my next appointment,’ said Lauren. ‘Want me to read your fortune?’

I hesitated again, but then thought, What the hell, why not? My life couldn’t possibly get any weirder.

‘Maybe…’ I said. ‘How does it work?’

‘Well, I read palms,’ said Lauren. ‘I learned it from my grandmother. I can tell what’s going to happen to people by examining the lines on their hand.’

‘OK,’ I said. I held out my left hand.

‘You’re going to go through change soon,’ said Lauren. ‘It’s going to be difficult at first, but it will work out for the best in the end. And you’re going to travel, somewhere far away. And you’re going to…’

Her predictions were all pretty vague. As I walked back to Gran’s, I thought about what she’d told me, but couldn’t see any major revelations.

When I got home, I read some more of the book Ger had given me. I flicked to the middle pages.

Methods of Psychic Protection

For additional protection, pick an object that you feel represents security and well-being for you, and wear it every day. When you see the object, think of the peace it gives you. Remember to keep it with you at all times, as a symbol of safety.

I found the guitar bracelet Nick had given me and put it on. Like Ger had said, it was better to be prepared.

Chapter 16

The Electric Unsigned gig got off to a fairly shaky start. Rage looked great – Ellie had decorated the place really well. The entire ceiling was covered with fairy lights, which made the bar look even more magical than before. There was a projector in the corner, beaming up images of Electric magazine covers on to the back wall. There was a slight problem though, as one of the acts had pulled out at the last second.

‘What the hell are we going to do?’ said Ellie. ‘They were meant to be on in an hour; how are we going to get somebody to replace them in an hour?’

‘Can you not call somebody?’ said Michael. ‘Like one of your friends’ bands? Ask them to step in?’

‘This is meant to be the best of Dublin’s unsigned,’ said Tim. Ellie looked even more anxious now that her editor had joined the circle. ‘There are invited industry professionals here – we have a reputation to uphold.’

‘Yes, I understand that,’ said Ellie. ‘But we need to fill the slot.’

‘Can you find a solo artist?’ said Tim. ‘It would be the least hassle.’

‘Jacki’s a solo artist,’ said Dillon, smiling brightly and nudging me with his elbow.

‘Do you write your own stuff?’ asked Ellie.

‘Yeah,’ I said.

‘Cos each act tonight is doing one cover, but they also have to sing their own stuff.’

‘Hold on,’ said Tim. ‘I think I’ve seen you play before. Were you upstairs in Whelan’s last week?’

‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘I was.’

‘You’ve found your replacement, Ellie,’ said Tim. ‘You’re on at nine.’

I didn’t have time to feel nervous or excited, except about using a strange guitar. I had this thing about always using my own; I felt like I was jinxing my performance by using somebody else’s. But there was nothing I could do about it now, so I’d just have to get over it. I don’t think I’ve ever had somebody hug me as hard as Ellie did.

I wasn’t on for another hour though, and in the meantime I had to help out, taking money from people at the door, showing the bands to the dressing room, making sure there were bottles of water on stage – that sort of thing. Hazel waved at me from behind the bar. She was wearing a ripped black tank top instead of the orange Electric Unsigned T-shirts that the rest of the people working in Rage that night had to wear. I guess when you’re assistant manager you don’t have to look ridiculous.

It wouldn’t have been that bad if I hadn’t also been concentrating on the people in the corner. Libby’s boyfriend Rob was here, along with Andrew and a very drunk Calum. Every time I walked past them they tried to engage me in conversation.