Chapter 25
After Sunday’s walk, Sasha felt exhausted. Mentally, emotionally and physically.
She texted Ben: Sorry for the misunderstanding. Still want to help find your match. Text me for a matcha reading in the café soon. Understand if you’ve changed your mind.
That night, she fell into a deep sleep. She woke feeling more refreshed, but she couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in her chest.
Ben didn’t text Sasha back for just over a week. Each time her phone buzzed with a message, she’d grab it, hoping it was him. She was disappointed every time it wasn’t.
Finally, when she’d given up and thought she would never hear from him again, he texted, asking if he could come for a reading on that Tuesday.
Sasha was determined to give Ben a fair and impartial matcha reading, despite these feelings she was having for him.
It was an inappropriate attraction. He was lonely and transferring his need for affection onto her.
But he was consulting her as a professional, akin to consulting a therapist. Por Por’s warning came to mind.
They couldn’t fall for each other. Instead she could help him find someone more suitable.
In fact, she must make it her mission to find him that special someone.
The day of Ben’s appointment, the café was quiet and the morning dragged. Sasha wondered if a hangover could last for over a week. She certainly hadn’t felt herself since the party. She couldn’t stop herself from glancing at the door every time the bell chimed; seconds seem to pass like hours.
Ben was on time for his matcha reading. His lips smiled but he kept his sunglasses on. He glanced around the café and spotted Mollie ensconced in her corner.
‘Hi, Sasha. Can we have the reading in the courtyard?’
‘Sure.’ Sasha nodded. ‘Why don’t you go through, while I get my things? Annie, can you keep an eye on the café? Just call if it gets busy.’
Sasha prepared a tray with the items for the matcha reading and took them out to the courtyard.
Ben sat in one of the armchairs. He’d pushed his shades on top of his head and she spotted dark shadows under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept much.
Guilt speared her chest. Was she the cause of those shadows?
‘Shall we go straight to the matcha reading?’ They’d done enough talking by the river. Any more sharing and she might lose control, throw herself into his arms.
Luckily, Ben nodded.
She sifted matcha into the bowl, poured in hot water and started to blend.
The soothing tssk tssk of the whisk lulled Sasha into her matcha reading trance.
The bubbles of matcha frothed in the bowl.
Light streamed in through the crown of her head, waking up her mind’s eye.
She silently murmured to her grandmother’s spirit.
Por Por – let the matcha bubbles work for the highest good. Help me find Ben his match. Please.
She waited as more and more light filled her mind. Usually, it would clear and she’d see images, a vision. But this time, it was too bright to see anything. There was a sense of swirling shadows trying to break through, but under the blast of light they were fuzzy and unclear.
She took a deep breath and tried to focus, searching for the vision. She glimpsed a shadow – was it the shape of Ben’s profile? Next to it, a cloudy amorphous shape was already dissolving. No clear picture could form.
Her psychic senses were all over the place. Was it Ben? Was it her?
This was nothing like her usual readings.
The light should clear, leaving her with a picture-perfect vision.
For Mr Davis she’d seen a distressed dog – Puddles – yelping on the island.
For Mollie she’d seen the flash of lightning and the pages of a book.
For Rowena she’d seen a huge double buggy stuck on the pavement in front of her, which had turned out to be Mark’s.
But for Ben’s reading, there was no revelation.
The light drained from her mind and she was left in darkness.
She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, coming back into the courtyard. She stared into the ceremonial bowl. The green matcha was flat. The bubbles had disappeared.
She glanced at Ben opposite, his face pale and drawn. ‘Well? What did you see?’ he ground out.
‘I – nothing.’ She flushed. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t seem to be able to conjure up a reading for you,’ she whispered, glancing around to check the courtyard was empty.
No one must hear. It wouldn’t be great for her matcha-reading business if word got out that her vision had failed.
That she hadn’t seen any hope of romance for him.
But if she didn’t see anything, she could hardly make it up.
‘Sorry, I’m not sure what’s going on. It’s not a science after all.
Intuition can be . . . uncertain. Possibly, we’ve got too close and it’s muddied my psychic abilities.
I can’t read things about myself, for example, and it was hard for my Por Por to read me.
She warned me about getting too close to clients. ’
‘Oh.’ He looked down. ‘It’s my fault for kissing you . . .’
‘No!’ she said quickly. ‘I – I wanted to. But – I feel we should keep our distance from now on, if this is going to work. Let’s try again – but maybe give it some time.’
Ben nodded. ‘All right – fine.’ He tipped down his sunglasses and she couldn’t see the expression in his eyes. She wished she knew what he was thinking.
They went back inside the café just as the bell over the door chimed and Mr Davis and Chloé entered.
‘Ah! Sasha, you’re looking delightful today.’ Mr Davis beamed. ‘Chloé wanted to come and shoot some video footage. I thought I’d take my chance to indulge in a slice of matcha goodness.’
‘Of course – come in!’ Sasha returned to her place behind the counter. ‘What can I get you? Nathan brought in an amazing matcha and salted-caramel tart today – the sweetness contrasts nicely with a smoky Pu-erh if you fancy a pot of tea instead of a latte?’
‘That sounds perfect, my dear.’
‘Chloé – can I get you something?’
‘A matcha latte would great!’ Chloé said.
She smiled at Ben, trying to catch his attention.
He slung on his jacket and headed for the door.
He nodded at Mr Davis as he passed their table and smiled briefly at Chloé.
Her gaze followed him as he left. The gleam in her eye said she wouldn’t mind Ben being served up on a plate.
Jealousy spiked in Sasha’s chest. Chloé had definitely checked out Ben’s butt. She couldn’t blame her. He had a cute butt, especially in those black jeans. What the hell? You have no right to be jealous!
Chloé skipped to the counter, phone out, filming the cakes on display. ‘Can I take some footage of you preparing the drinks?’
‘Er – as long as I’m not in it – I haven’t got any make-up on.’
‘Oh, my gosh, you look amazing, as always – I love your knee-high socks and you always have such cute aprons – I adore the iced-doughnut print. But I’ll focus on the drinks if you prefer,’ she said. ‘Loving the patterns you draw in the foam.’
‘Anything wrong with young Ben?’ asked Mr Davis. ‘He didn’t look himself.’
‘Oh – I just did a matcha reading for him. Having a little difficulty with my psychic powers today – just a blip, I’m sure.’
Chloé’s ears practically flapped. ‘Ooo – are you matchmaking Ben? With a matcha reading?’ she asked. ‘What did you see? Any luck?’
‘I’m not sure I should be discussing it,’ said Sasha brightly. ‘Sometimes it can take a few sessions. Your grandfather was very quick. I guess I know him so well, I saw a clear vision.’
‘Of Puddles in danger?’ asked Chloé.
‘Dear Sasha – I distinctly remember you yapping!’ Mr Davis chuckled.
Sasha laughed. ‘Luckily I turned back into me once the vision was over.’
‘How cute!’ Chloé giggled, showing the gap in her front teeth.
‘I’d love to hear more about the readings.
Not Ben’s, of course – it’s personal, as you say.
But maybe you could tell me more about the matcha readings in general?
I’d love to do a post, my followers will be fascinated!
And – er – I might be interested, if Ben’s looking for a match . . .’
‘Oh, Chloé, my dear, Sasha’s matcha readings don’t work like that,’ said Mr Davis. ‘Sasha asks the bubbles to show her the best match for you, and how you can find your true love.’
‘But what about Ben?’ insisted Chloé. ‘He’s hot – and it sounds like he’s looking? I’d be happy to date him. We could have fun, even if he isn’t my forever love.’
Sasha smiled, but her lips felt stiff. Would Chloé be a good match for Ben?
She was so pretty, with her curly dark hair, green eyes and freckles dusted over her nose.
Most single guys wouldn’t turn down a date with her.
Would Ben? If Sasha was a conventional matchmaker it might have been natural for her to pair them up.
Chloé’d look great with him and she’d certainly made her feelings clear.
Her lively personality might be good for Ben. He tended to be quiet; Chloé would complement him. She’d learn that his serious manner hid a creative soul. He liked old films. Ceramics. And Ben thought deeply about things. What he’d said about the broken crockery had been so insightful.
Chloé could be the one to bring him out of his shell. Help him get over his heartbreak.
But was she a good match for him?
Sasha pictured Ben’s sharp cheekbones and cute dimples. He was very different from the grumpy man she’d drenched with muddy water, that first day. She smiled, remembering. He’d really looked so funny with his hair sticking up.
But he was also sensitive and creative. He’ll make some lucky woman the most amazing boyfriend. As she prepared Chloé and Mr Davis’s order, she drifted into a pleasant daydream of warm, strong arms and a well-muscled chest . . .