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continued tracing. “Mmmmm,” she murmured.
    â€œYes?” I asked, unable to hide my curiosity. Did she know if I’d live a long life? Marry a cute guy? Have tons of kids?
    â€œIt’s hard to see what others can’t, isn’t it, my dear?” she asked softly.
    I jerked my hand away from her. My heart thudded as I gaped at the fortune-teller.
    How does she know?

CHAPTER 5
    Before I could ask, the doorbell chimed.
    â€œAh, my client has arrived.” Lady Azura straightened her head scarf and shook out her long, crinkled black skirt. Then she headed through the curtain and across the fortune-telling room. I trailed behind, slightly in awe. I’d never met anyone who could sense things about me—things I’d worked so hard to hide.
    She paused in the foyer. “You have my list?”
    I held it up and nodded. She reached her hand out, grazing my arm.
    I shirked away, still unnerved by her touch.
    She opened her mouth as if to say something, but the doorbell chimed twice more. “It’s hot outside. Buy yourself an ice cream and put it on my charge,” she offered before opening the door.
    â€œWelcome, Mrs. McHugh.” Lady Azura ushered in a middle-aged woman with short black hair. She wore a pale yellow cotton sweater that strained across her wide middle and black knit pants. Her sunken eyes peered about searchingly. “I am so glad Mrs. Christie recommended me to you. Please, come in.” Lady Azura grasped both of Mrs. McHugh’s hands in hers and gently led her through the purple velvet curtain. I turned to leave but then paused.
    I stood alone in the red foyer, twisting the scrap of paper in my hands. I’d never seen a fortune-teller at work. Lady Azura’s raspy voice and Mrs. McHugh’s nasal drawl were hard to make out this far from the curtain. I tiptoed closer.
    Just one little look , I told myself. Then I’ll go to the store.
    Peering through a gap in the fabric, I saw Mrs. McHugh sitting at the round table. Lady Azura had plugged an electric teapot into the wall and set it on a hot plate on the table. She perched on the edge of the armchair, directly across from Mrs. McHugh.
    â€œPlease select a handful of leaves.” Lady Azura pushed a white china saucer piled with loose tea leaves toward her client. “Ahh . . . you must choosewith your mind, not your hands,” she instructed.
    She opened the lid of the teapot and motioned for Mrs. McHugh to drop the leaves inside. After replacing the lid, Lady Azura reached across the table for Mrs. McHugh’s hands. “Close your eyes. Empty your mind.”
    Lady Azura hummed and swayed until the teapot whistled. Then she poured the brewed tea into a large white china cup and placed it before Mrs. McHugh. “Let the steam wash over you,” she intoned. “Breathe in the scent. Draw it to you.”
    I watched Mrs. McHugh’s wide shoulders rise as she inhaled.
    â€œNow, slowly sip the tea,” Lady Azura instructed. “Block out all thoughts as you drink. It is just you and the tea. Focus on the tea.”
    Mrs. McHugh seemed deeply connected to the liquid as she drank. Lady Azura reached for the cup. “Now we swirl the tea. Once . . . twice . . . thrice.” She pulled a second saucer close and poured the remaining liquid into it. “Ahhh . . . now the tea leaves remain. Their patterns are the patterns of your life.”
    Both women peered into the cup. I leaned forward to see what they saw, but I was too far away.
    â€œWhat will happen to me?” Mrs. McHugh asked.
    Lady Azura squinted into the cup. “I see a bell shape. This bell is a call to attention. And by the bell the leaves form a cat. This cat symbolizes an untrustworthy friend. Do you have a friend you are unsure about?”
    â€œWell, lately MaryEllen at work has been acting a little strange—”
    â€œYes, yes. MaryEllen is one to watch. Be wary of her,” Lady Azura