best, but Iâm not bowing down here.â
Natalie calmly ignored me and began taking off her massive hoop earrings, speaking to the other girl. âGirl, hold these for me. Nat has some bitch-slapping to do â¦â
My eyes widened in horror as her taloned hand drew back, but at the last second, a pudgy dark fist caught Natalieâs arm.
âGirl, what âcho doinâ? Ainât Mama Ruby warned you about raising hell over nothing?â My saviour was a round island woman, with beautiful black skin and an air of authority. She tutted at Natalie. âYou bring dose shoes by my cabin tonight, Iâll see they get back the way they were. And leave this one to me â¦â
Mama Ruby took my arm and gave a ferocious stare to everyone in the vicinity. Natalie said meekly, âYes, Mama â¦â and sat back down, as if nothing had happened.
Propelled along by Mama Ruby, I found myself at the other end of the dining room at an empty table. âThanks,â I said. âYouâre a real lifesaver. Iâm Maddie.â
âOo, child. Mama knows that anâ a whole lot more.â She lowered herself heavily into the chair across from me, her dark eyes like mysterious portals.
âLike what?â
âLike you got a serious case of bad juju hanginâ over you, girl.â She leaned forward, slapping at imaginary bugs around my head. âMama can see it clear as day. You need help.â
Iâd been to a psychic once before, but the broad guesses that occasionally hit the mark werenât all that impressive. I felt myself raise a doubtful eyebrow. âSo, Iâm a klutz. So, what?â
âSo, girly, if you donât wash away the juju, youâll never get him back.â She cocked her head. âThat cowboy came here looking for love, but you and him both be knowinâ what he needs is starinâ him in the face.â
I blanched. âI donât know what you mean.â Stuffing a handful of fries in my mouth, I averted my eyes.
Mama Ruby stood, smiling broadly. âYes, you do, Maddie-girl. When youâre ready, you come see Mama. But donât leave it too late, or both you and he will end up with the wrong people â¦â
I watched her go, my open mouth full of half-masticated potato, unsure if I was more shocked by her accuracy or her use of Tannerâs nickname for me.
She passed Greg on his way over to my table. âGregory, ya beautiful mon! How are those gorgeous babies of yours?â
He hugged her quickly, his arms barely making it halfway around her body. âMama! Theyâre good. My eldest is halfway through school now.â
Something twigged in the back of my brain, but I didnât have time to analyse it before Greg yelled out to me, âOi! Hobo, you ready? Thereâs a party on Beauâs deck and everyoneâs invited.â
Chapter 7
Iâd been on board the ship for around twelve hours, but with meeting my terrifying boss, Tannerâs revelation and my big nap, not to mention almost getting into a brawl over dinner, I hadnât paid much attention to the constant droning of the engines as we chugged out to sea.
I did, however, notice when they stopped. Greg and I were walking back along the Newell when the roaring fell silent, and everyone swayed forward slightly as the ship slowed to a halt.
âGotcha,â said Greg, holding my elbow as I pitched forward. It seemed heâd already worked out how much of a newborn gazelle I was. âOkay, weâve only got a few minutes before we need to be upstairs, and you need to change.â
Looking down at my grubby tee and revealing shorts, I blushed. âUm ⦠I donât have anything else here.â
Greg, bless his heart, didnât harass me with questions like, Really? How is that possible? He knew enough of my story and had seen my half-empty backpack. Instead, he looped his arm through mine. âCome on then, my
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