Decisions

Evie Greyson yawned and stretched her arms high over head as she took in the morning view from her balcony, overlooking the still, turquoise waters of Airlie Bay.

‘Beautiful one day, perfect the next. Isn’t that what they say?’ Even her best attempt at an Australian accent was heavily coloured by her own, still strong after all this time spent in Northern Queensland, 15000 miles from her home in the south of England.

The sulphur-crested cockatoo, perched proudly on the balcony railing, tilted its head in reply.

‘Of course, that was some time ago. The slogan has probably changed since I was lured to these shores by the promise of beautiful weather.’ Evie gave a pretty shrug of her shoulders and sat down at the iron patio setting. ‘Time for my reading.’

She picked up the purple velvet bag, containing her treasured set of angel oracle cards, and carefully pulled them out. She drifted her eyes closed and knocked three times on the top card to clear the energy of the previous day, then shuffled.

‘What do I need to know today?’ she muttered. The sulphur-crested cockatoo took flight, as a black tabby cat slunk out onto the balcony, and jumped gracefully onto Evie’s lap.

Maybe today is the day.

Evie opened an eye. ‘Why would you bring that up?’ The cat purred in her lap, unwilling to provide further justification. Evie gave a quick shake of her head, the white-blonde curls piled high on top of her head and secured with a scarf bounced around as she did.

‘First card— the past.’ She pulled a card from the back portion of the deck. ‘“Shower of abundance”.’ She worried her bottom lip for a moment, considering the message. ‘Oh, of course! It was dividend day yesterday.’ Pleased with herself, Evie pulled the second card. ‘The present— “What do you desire?”’ She gave a trill of laughter. ‘Ever so many things. You are having a laugh this morning, aren’t you?’ she said, seemingly to no one in particular. ‘Third card— “Time to go”.’

Abruptly, Evie stood from the table, tipping the tabby cat from her lap. ‘It must be shopping day!’ She gave the cat a satisfied grin and turned for the sliding door back into the apartment.

He awaits your answer.

Evie froze and turned slowly back towards the tabby cat. ‘I know,’ she said slowly, her teeth rather close together. ‘He will get it, when I’m ready.’ With a quick clear of her throat, she continued on her way.

* * *

The soft, billowy cotton of Evie’s summer dress moved in the breeze as she made her way down the main street, poking her head every now and then into a store, and raising a dainty hand to acquaintances. Despite the many tourists, Airlie Beach had never lost its small-town appeal. There was always someone to greet, or with whom to discuss a trivial observation. Visitor she may be, but Evie felt like a local, and was eagerly embraced as one.

Having browsed the stores, purchasing trinkets here and there with the assistance of her trusted oracle cards, Evie made her way into the local grocers, and made for the fruit and vegetables.

‘I don’t need a lot,’ she remarked, plucking a few oranges and apples from the shelves, and placing them into her basket. ‘But some fresh fruit never goes astray, does it?’

‘Indeed, it doesn’t.’

Evie turned quickly to see who had spoken. A tall man, with silver grey hair, neat and tidy in a short-back-and-sides, and a lazy Australian drawl, smiled at her. ‘G’day, Evie.’

‘Good morning, Louis.’ A tenant of the same apartment block in which she lived, Evie often ran into Louis.

‘Shopping day?’

‘It was destined to be.’ Evie smiled, and her cheeks flushed as Louis smiled back. She quickly turned her attention back to the plums.

Remember your position.

Evie’s head swung round at the ominous warning, and her brows furrowed. She bent down, scanning at ankle height down the aisle. ‘Of course, I remember my position,’ she muttered, as she straightened. ‘Now, the plums.’ Three varieties, each as succulent as the next. ‘My goodness, how can I choose? Black, red or the ever-juicy Montagues.’

She drew her angel cards from the canvas shopping bag, and shuffled. Carefully, she drew a card from the deck. ‘“Change in direction”.’ She tutted and considered the plums. ‘Well, I did buy red last week. Perhaps it’s black today. Or Montague…’ She twisted her lips. The cards were meant to provide clarity, but the decision was still hazy.

‘The Montagues are beautiful this time of year.’ Evie gave a start at Louis’s words. Shoulder to shoulder with her, he reached for one of the plums and gave the flesh a soft squeeze. ‘Ripe, too.’

‘Oh, yes,’ Evie said. ‘But it’s important I make my own decision.’

‘Right.’ Louis piled a few Montague plums into a clear plastic bag and tucked them into his own basket.

Evie’s heart began to race a little, as her eyes flicked between the varieties. ‘Why is this so hard?’ she mumbled. ‘Change in direction…oh, of course!’ she said brightly, and beamed a smile at Louis. ‘All three! One can never have too many.’

Louis gave a thoughtful nod. ‘True. If the overall ratio of fibre in the diet isn’t out of whack.’

‘Out of whack?’

‘You might find yourself a little…bound up.’

‘Bound up.’ Evie pondered the expression, until at last, it dawned on her. ‘Oooh, you mean…’

Louis gave nod, and a grimace.

‘Oh, dear,’ Evie said, with a dismayed glance at her fibre-filled basket. ‘Well, perhaps, it best be no plums this week then, until I can be sure my ratio isn’t out.’ She gave a shudder. Hopefully, the cards would have an answer for her on that point. She would investigate later.

Evie prepared to move on, sensing a pull in the direction of the biscuit aisle, but a gentle hand on her forearm gave her pause. ‘Perhaps we could continue this chat over a coffee?’ Louis smiled hopefully.

‘P-plums?’ Evie stammered, as uncertainty flooded every inch of her.

‘I’d be very willing to change the topic,’ Louis said quickly.

‘Oh…oh, I am sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression. I’m afraid I am s-spoken for.’

A flicker of surprise crossed Louis’s face, but then he smiled in his friendly, easy-going way.’ Not at all. I should apologise. I didn’t realise…I’ve never seen you with your partner.’

‘N-no, he’s back home, in England.’ Still, he waits. ‘He is a patient man,’ Evie retorted, and pressed the back of her hand to her cheek to cool it. ‘I must go. I’m sorry.’ She backed away again, and then turned quickly, making a beeline for the registers.

‘Hi Evie,’ the young cashier greeted her, with a warm smile. Evie returned it and placed her basket on the counter.

‘Good morning, Jessica.’

‘Much on today?’ Jessica asked, as she rang up the items.

Decisions.

‘No. My chores are all done,’ Evie said, her voice little more than a squeak

Jessica’s eyes lifted from the screen in front of her, to Evie’s face. ‘Cash or card?’

Cash or card. Oh, heavens.

‘Just a moment.’ Evie fumbled for her oracle cards. Cash or card. Cash or card. With shaking hands, she drew a card. She frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’ The angel in the white, satin gown stared back at her. ‘“Wedding”.’ Evie’s palms began to sweat as she studied the card, willing it for an answer. ‘It makes no sense. How does that apply to…’ Evie swallowed and tucked the card back into the deck, her mind swimming.

You must choose.

‘I know!’ Evie hissed. A line had quietly built behind her. Evie felt restless eyes upon her, pressure building with each second she took to decide. ‘Cash!’ she cried. ‘No, card! No, cash! Even split, fifty-fifty!’ she finished triumphantly.

Jessica smiled politely, but hesitated. ‘You have ten dollars of reward points. Would you like to use them?’

Evie’s face dropped. She darted a glance behind her. Louis was still in the fruit section. When her eyes met his, he quickly became interested in the bananas, holding two up as if to compare them in best light.

You can’t run forever.

Evie turned back to Jessica. An indiscriminate sound escaped her throat. Then, she ran.

* * *

Evie slammed her apartment door behind her and rested her back against it to catch her breath. What had happened back there? The cards had never let her down before. It was as though…as though dormant decisions were forcing their way through. Tainting her readings.

Evie took another few, steadying breaths. Her mind steadied, also.

‘The cat,’ she said. She rushed to the other side of the apartment, to the sliding door, and quickly pushed it closed. ‘What business does Midnight even have here?’ she muttered, flicking back curtains, and checking beneath the furniture. ‘He’s not even my cat!’ Granted, he had lived with her for the best part of ten years, but how that had come about, she had no idea. It was well past time she put a stop to it. She picked up his food bowl and tossed it into the sink. Hands on hips, she assessed his cosy corner. ‘I’ve been far too accommodating.’

A knock on her door caused her to take an involuntary leap backwards. ‘Silly,’ she scolded herself. ‘It couldn’t be Midnight. Cats don’t knock.’ She smoothed her dress, and with determination, glided towards the door. She peeked through the peephole, just to be sure. ‘Oh.’ With an exhale, she opened the door and painted on a sunny smile. ‘Sharon! How nice to see you.’ The smile quickly dropped, as Midnight scooted past Sharon, and into the apartment.

‘Hi Evie. Can I come in? Need a chat.’

‘Of course.’ Evie stepped back, and Sharon entered the apartment. Evie prepared a teapot and pulled her prettiest teacups from the cupboard above her head, then joined Sharon at the small wooden dining table.

‘Is everything all right with you?’ Evie asked, tucking her own problems neatly back into their box to focus on her friend.

‘Not really, Evie. I was hoping you could help.’ Sharon gave a huff. ‘I need a reading.’

‘A-a reading?’

Evie tried her best to listen attentively as Sharon explained her dilemma. Something about a real estate transaction gone wrong— or was it an argument with a colleague over the best real estate in the office? Evie had no idea. Her thoughts were a jumble; her own situation tugging at her mind like a small child insisting on attention.

‘Anyway, I thought you could help. Your readings are always so on-point.’ Sharon looked at Evie eagerly, and nodded towards the cards that were placed, by habit, on the table beside her teacup. Evie gulped and reached for the cards.

‘I-I must warn you, my readings have been a little…unreliable, of late.’

You can’t ignore it forever.

Evie’s breath hitched, as Midnight brushed against her calf.

‘Are you OK?’ Sharon asked, concerned.

‘Oh, yes.’ Evie pasted her sunny smile back on. She shuffled the deck between her hands and tried to hold Sharon’s problem at the forefront of the mind. But all she could see were diamond rings, and white dresses; flowers and cakes, and the face of a kind and loyal man, kneeling before her. She drew three cards and placed them down.

‘First card— “Notice the signs”.’ Evie swallowed. ‘You must recognise the signs that things weren’t right, Sharon. They were there, even if they were subtle.’ The signs were there. The way his eyes lit up when they met hers, but she could never quite reflect that spark of joy in return. Love, that had settled into deep friendship, and affection.

‘Second card— “Perfect timing”. The time is now. The cards suggest you m-must seize the day.’ Every day longer was a betrayal, not just of him, but of herself.

Evie’s fingers quivered as she stroked them across the third and final card. ‘Third card— “Be Honest with Yourself”. Well, it goes without saying, doesn’t it?’

Her eyes lifted to Sharon’s. Sharon nodded. ‘Yes. Yes, you’re so right, Evie. I must be honest. It’s the only thing to do.’ Sharon stood. ‘Thank you for the tea. I’ll speak to my boss tomorrow and tell him I can’t stand to sit next to him any longer, unless he invests in breath mints.’ She reached across the table and took Evie in a tight embrace. ‘What a gifted woman you are.’

‘Sharon, w-wait!’ Evie called, but Sharon was already departing, raising a cheerful hand on her way out. ‘The reading was meant for me,’ Evie said, deflated, as the door closed behind her. She slumped back down in her chair. ‘Be honest with yourself. The time is now.’ Midnight sprung onto the table, and stuck his nose in Sharon’s empty teacup, then sat back on his haunches; deep grey eyes settling intently on Evie.

‘It’s the anniversary, you know,’ Evie said, swirling her own tea in her cup, as though she could replay the moment in the caramel-coloured contents. ‘I wasn’t ready. I just…needed time. It was so…out of the blue.’

Midnight blinked back at her.

The time is now.

She sighed. ‘I wonder how he will take it.’

***

Evie waited until the warm, rusty colours of sunset disappeared from the horizon before making the call.

‘Hello?’

Evie steeled herself with a breath. ‘M-Marcus. It’s me. Evie.’

A heavy silence hung between them, almost tangible despite the miles between them. ‘Evie? Evie Greyson?’ Disbelief coloured the deep, mellow voice.

‘Yes. What other “Evie” could there be?’

‘Forgive me, it’s just…been a long time.’

‘I know. I needed time. To think. To decide.’

A gentle scoff sounded on the other end of the line. ‘Evie, it’s been fourteen years.’

‘I-I know. And you’ve been so patient.’

‘Evie—'

‘But finally, you know, the timing is perfect, and I have to be honest.’

‘Yes, but I must tell you—'

‘No. No, hear me out, Marcus. This has been hard on both of us. And I think the world of you. But, I…I can’t marry you.’ The silence grew heavier. ‘I know this has probably come as a shock. But I was so young, and you caught me off guard.’

‘You were thirty-four. We’d been together for eight years.’ Was that disbelief in his tone? ‘You disappeared, Evie. Never a word. I thought you were dead.’ Exasperation. Definitely exasperation.

‘D-dead?’ She gave her arm a pinch and winced at the sting.

‘Evie.’ Marcus spoke gently; with the great patience he was renowned for. ‘I am married. Ten years, next September. We have three children. I waited, but without any way of contacting you; of knowing your mind, I…gave up.’

Married. Three children. Evie felt faint. She placed a hand on the corner of the sofa to steady herself. ‘I-I see. So, it’s over?’

‘Yes,’ Marcus replied gravely. ‘Yes, it’s over.’

What more could she do than wish him well? Then sink down on the sofa and let it envelop her like a warm hug. Midnight joined her, snuggling into her side, and Evie stroked a hand across his back, absent-mindedly. ‘He’s married.’ Midnight snuggled in closer and closed his eyes. Evie gazed around the holiday apartment she had lived in for the past fourteen years. The management had offered her a longer term lease many times. She had always declined.

The thought dawned on her like a deep winter’s morning back home— dark, and cold, and unbearably gloomy. ‘I suppose I should go home.’

***

Evie passed Louis in the stairwell, as she often did, on her way to the ground floor to speak to management. There was no point delaying the inevitable. Her decision was made.

‘Evie, good morning,’ Louis said pleasantly, and gave her that charming smile. His eyes were lovely, she thought. The same colour as the sky on a clear, sunny day.

‘Good morning.’

‘You’re in a rush,’ he commented.

‘Yes, well, I need to speak to management. The time has come for me to…move on. Move out, in fact. Back to England.’

‘Oh,’ Louis said, with a raise of his neatly-groomed brows. ‘This is…sudden.’

‘No. No. It’s been fourteen years in the making.’ Evie smiled wanly. ‘I was mistaken in my need to avoid going home. It turns out I wasn’t as sought after as I had thought.’

Louis rubbed a hand across his chin. ‘Well, you’ll certainly be missed here. Very much so.’ Evie’s heart gave a gallop. It was rather different receiving a compliment from a handsome man when one didn’t think oneself all but promised to another. ‘I don’t suppose we could grab that coffee, before you leave?’

‘Oh.’ A spark of panic lit up Evie’s eyes. ‘I…I don’t know.’ She patted her side, but of course, her bag was not there, so she didn’t have her cards.

Louis reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. ‘You know, when I have difficulty making a decision, there is a little trick I use.’ He pulled out a ten-cent piece, and held it in his palm, then tossed it in the air. Evie watched it tumble back into his hand, and his fingers close around it. ‘I flip a coin. Heads for yes. Tails for no. But whatever the outcome, I pay attention to how I feel about it. Any hint of disappointment at the fall of the coin, and I know what I really wanted.’

‘Oh, that is clever,’ Evie breathed.

‘Heads or tails?’

‘Heads,’ Evie called confidently. ‘No, Tails!’ She bit her bottom lip as Louis chuckled. ‘Heads. I’ll stick with heads.’

Slowly, he unfurled his hand. ‘It’s tails, I’m afraid.’

Evie closed her eyes, and paid attention. Eyes the colour of a pretty day waited attentively and met hers when they opened. Evie grinned. ‘Let’s go for coffee.’