Chapter 27
Sasha booked Chloé’s Matcha Maker Special for the next afternoon and she arrived early so she could take footage of the process.
Would she see Ben in Chloé’s reading? She’d obviously thought he was hot – after all, what woman – or even man – with a pulse wouldn’t find his dark-haired good looks, broad shoulders and lean yet muscular frame attractive? Could Chloé and Ben be each other’s perfect match?
Chloé was keen to document everything involved in the matcha reading. ‘Can you explain exactly how it works? I’ll record you speaking if you don’t mind, but it’s just for my notes.’
‘Sure!’ Sasha broke it down for her, explaining how she would sift and blend the matcha into the hot water – eighty degrees – in the bowl.
‘I whisk in the shape of a W. Somehow the action of whisking puts me in a trance. The bubbles help create a psychic light that carries special powers, enabling me to see a vision in my mind.’
‘A vision – like a picture of a person?’
‘It can be of anything. A vision which can lead to a love match. Like when I saw Puddles needing to be rescued. I didn’t see Gloria, but I saw the moment leading up to your grandfather meeting her.’
‘How amazing.’ Chloé’s eyes sparkled. ‘This is so thrilling!’ She shook out her curls, practically jumping up and down with excitement.
She attached her phone onto a small tripod and snapped photos and short clips of Sasha’s special ceremonial bowl and whisk. And the tin of single-origin matcha powder from the farm in Uji.
‘Please, no photography when I start the actual reading. We need to focus and it could interfere with the energy.’
‘Of course. Can we set up some shots to demonstrate the process afterwards, if that’s OK with you?’
‘Sure. After the reading will be fine. Just so you know, we call on the energy of our masters and ancestors to help see the spirit world. I call on my Por Por’s – my grandmother – energy to help me see the visions.
She taught me psychic skills before she died, and her spirit helps me tune into the higher dimensions. ’
‘That’s fabulous. Can we begin?’
Sasha nodded and gestured to the seat at the end of the counter.
She heated the water to eighty degrees. Then she poured the hot water into the bowl and sifted in a scoop of matcha powder.
She took a deep breath and relaxed her arms. Then she started to whisk.
As she zipped the bamboo whisk in a W shape, she breathed in the fragrance of the matcha.
The sound and actions of the whisking had its usual effect, sending her into a trance.
She gazed at Chloé, her lips curved in a slight smile.
The matcha bubbles frothed up. Light poured into the top of her head, lighting up the silver screen in her mind’s eye. The swirls of light dissipated and a vision appeared.
Sasha saw a barn with rough stone walls. It had a large hall with a wooden floor. The walls and beams were strung with garlands of flowers and fairy lights. She heard smooth jazz music in the background, and a couple was dancing.
She recognized Chloé, happy and smiling, in a gorgeous white lace gown.
She was dancing with a man. He had his arms around her and her head was on his shoulder.
He was tall and his white shirt was stretched over a broad torso and muscular arms. Chloé’s eyes were closed in bliss.
She was completely and utterly in love. Could this be her wedding day?
The gown was long and swept the floor. It must be her wedding gown.
Sasha’s vision focused on Chloé, how happy she was. Sasha tried to see who the man was. A tall figure in a white shirt and dark trousers. She couldn’t make out what he looked like, but he had short dark hair. Could it be Ben?
The vision faded. The screen darkened, obscured by shadows once more.
Slowly, Sasha blinked her eyes open and came back into the room.
‘What? What did you see? You were humming a tune.’ Chloé’s lips parted. She was rapt with excitement. ‘Tell me – will I meet someone soon?’
Sasha took a deep breath. ‘I saw you, dancing. You were wearing a white lace gown, so I think it was your wedding day. You were dancing with your future husband. So, yes – you will meet your true love soon.’
‘Who is he? Any clue where I’ll meet him?’
‘That I didn’t see. There was just you dancing with a tall, dark-haired man. I couldn’t see his face or what he looked like,’ said Sasha. ‘It’s not always clear in one reading. The bubbles give different messages to everyone. But they tell you what you need to know. It’s a positive sign.’
‘Right – you know I’ll get married one day? I’ll fall in love, meet The One?’
‘Yes.’ Sasha nodded, smiling. Chloé would definitely get married one day. The vision of her dancing on her wedding day made her sure of it.
But who would her future husband be? Would it be Ben?