Spiritually Speaking: Do You Believe?

By Marion Straver

Josh is a thirty-something clairvoyant - extremely gifted, handsome and kind. Helen is looking for approval from her deceased Mother for her marriage to Jack. Can Josh help? He can, but the situation becomes explosive when he tells her something she really didn't want to hear! A humorous love story with a surprising sting in the tail!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483529318

Book preview

STRAVER

Chapter One

Helen felt her stomach tense as the double doors flung wide to admit a woman of generous proportions. She climbed with unexpected agility onto the platform. Silver curls clung damply to her rosy cheeks and she brushed them away impatiently.  Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I do apologise for being late. She looked up and said with an indulgent smile, they didn’t tell me it was going to rain!

The congregation chuckled.

May I welcome you to our service; I just know you’ll have a pleasant evening. Let’s start the ball rolling straight away with hymn number four.

The congregation rose obediently and began to sing; most so familiar with the words that the leather-bound hymn books remained unopened. Helen joined in enthusiastically, the music and words filling her with the peaceful pleasure she had come to expect at these lovely services.

That was wonderful, the large lady said, beaming with appreciation. For those of you who are new to our church, welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. I’m Iris and I assist with the day-to-day running of this church. Please make yourselves comfortable. It’s going to be a wonderful evening!   She turned to look at the young man seated beside her on the platform and winked.  We are very fortunate this evening to have with us a young man who is not only well known to this church, but to the whole spiritualist movement.  In fact, he’s causing quite a storm wherever he goes! Please welcome Josh Lowe!

Helen tried not to notice his dark curls, his tanned skin or his unbelievably white teeth.

Josh will start this evening by giving us a short talk on how he came to be involved in the spiritualist movement. You will all find this very interesting!

Josh smiled at her peremptory remark. We hope so anyway! he said, approaching the microphone with a lithe grace. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. He spoke with a soft Irish accent, and appeared to be quite at ease; one arm laid casually across the gleaming mahogany podium and the other tucked casually into the pocket of faded jeans.

If someone had told me ten years ago, or even two years ago, that I’d be standing on the platform in a spiritualist church addressing a roomful of people, I would have told them they were raving! But here I am, addressing a room full of people on the platform in a spiritualist church! You never know what’s just around the corner do you?

His audience silently nodded in agreement.

Firstly, let me assure you all that I never wanted or tried to contact anyone in the spirit world – it’s not really cool for a bloke to be talking to people who aren’t there if you know what I mean?

They knew exactly what he meant.

Anyway, after going through various stages of realisation, denial and downright fear, I came to the conclusion that they weren’t going away and that if I was ever going to get to the bottom of what was going on in my head, then I would have to listen to the voices and see if I could find out just what it was that they wanted of me. Of course, once I started listening and stopped panicking, it was really quite painless! All they wanted was to contact their loved ones; people like you who come to church in the hope of receiving a message from someone dear to you. I asked the question ‘why me?’ Apparently, it’s because I’m sensitive to people’s feelings although I’ve a few ex-girlfriends who would disagree with that statement!

Helen smiled and wondered if that were true?

Josh rubbed his eyes. Our friends up there tend to do a group visit on the night before a meeting, and last night was no exception. They kept me up ‘til 2am this morning in fact! His smile robbed the remark of any complaint. They’re very good to me; and in reality I think they come partly to prepare me for what’s going to happen, which often saves me from making a complete idiot of myself on the night!

Helen found herself wondering about this man. He was so self-assured and already held the audience in the palm of his hand. As she tried to read his expression, his gaze came to rest on her and her face suffused with colour. Thank God he doesn’t read minds she thought with embarrassment. She dragged her concentration back to where it should be.

Okay! he whispered to no-one in particular, before turning his attention back to the sea of eager faces before him. They are anxious to proceed! he confided, laughing gently. He was still for some moments.  My own father passed into spirit recently, he said quietly.

Spontaneous sympathy came from his audience.

About four weeks after his passing, I was watching an old black and white movie on TV when I heard a voice in my ear, Good film this one son, haven’t seen it in years!"  You’d think I’d be used to suddenly hearing voices, but on this occasion I nearly fell off the chair! He laughed. You never know when to expect them you see, and I had no clue that Dad was going to visit me that evening. He hadn’t visited before and I began to think he never would. I do know that they come and go as and when they can, and that’s why we can never guarantee a message for you. I will give it my best shot tonight though, I can promise you that! "

The audience smiled as one.

He continued to speak about his father who he obviously loved very much. My father loved practical jokes; he had a good old chuckle about making me jump!  Proof positive I think that people don’t change just because they’ve passed to the spirit world. If they loved a bit of fun down here, then you can bet they still love it up there. It’s a remarkable thought don’t you think?

Helen nodded in unison with the whole congregation.

Those twenty minutes of conversation with my Dad were the most incredible I’ve ever experienced and, he said seriously, you can bet I appreciated my gift that night! So, my friends, that’s why I’m here, and I’m looking forward to spending my Friday evening with you and hopefully re-uniting you with Mum, Dad or even Rocky the Labrador!

An unprecedented round of applause broke out as he sat down, heralding a smile of appreciation from him.

Iris signalled the start of another hymn, then as the music died away and everyone seated themselves comfortably once more, she began sheaving through a pile of notes, half glasses perched on the end of her nose. Helen listened with uncharacteristic impatience as she read out the usual notices and requests for healing, and actually sighed with relief when Iris called Josh back to the podium.  Josh will now lead us in prayer before he comes to you with messages from your loved ones. If he does come to you, please let him hear your voice. Answer him clearly when he speaks to you but don’t offer information. He needs to hear your voice to enable him to make that all important connection between you and the departed soul that wishes to communicate with you.

It was no surprise to Helen that the prayer was touching and powerfully emotive, and she wondered if he was having the same profound effect on the entire congregation as he was on her.  Her stomach was in knots! She eyed the lightly pink-rinsed pensioner to her right and was pleased to see an eager look of excitement on her face too.

Josh ended the prayer and was silent for a few seconds as if gathering his thoughts.

Right then! He scanned the congregation quickly. Yes, right… Firstly, I’d like to come to the lady in the second row. Yes, you my lovely, with the beautiful pearl necklace.

The lady in question smiled, and nodded gratefully at him.

Can I hear your voice sweetheart? he asked gently.

Sorry! I forgot, she said, giggling like a nervous schoolgirl.

Josh beamed at her, Helen melted, whilst the lady in question instantly relaxed.

I’m not that good I’m afraid! I need to hear you as much as you need to hear me!

Right! The little lady said sitting bolt upright and setting her shoulders with resolution.

Those pearls. They are very beautiful aren’t they?

Well, I think so. They were a gift, she volunteered, totally unmindful of Iris’ strict instructions.

Yes, I know they were. They were a gift from….. He paused, listening carefully. From Wilf? Yes, on your birthday, he took you out and bought them from a little jeweler's in.... just a moment.... yes, Wilf’s showing me a small arcade by the sea. Do you live by the sea?

No. No, I don’t!

There was an unspoken feeling from the congregation that she must surely be mistaken? If Josh said she lived by the sea, then live by the sea she must!

But I did when Wilf bought me these, she said triumphantly, fingering the pearls lovingly. It was my 60th and I’d always wanted real pearls, but we could never afford them before.

He’s telling me that you thought you couldn’t afford them on that occasion either. Is that right?

The lady nodded. I didn’t think we ought to waste our money on me, but he insisted, and he usually got his way.

He says that you quite often got yours too! He wants me to remind you of the time when you wanted to go abroad for your holiday and he didn’t think it was necessary because you had a beautiful beach right on your doorstep.

She nodded her head. Yes, we went to Spain and it was so hot. But we had a lovely time. A look of pure pleasure lit her face, only to be replaced by a worried frown. Is he looking after himself? she asked, her fingers knotting nervously. Because he never did you know. He was always working away at something or other and he never listened to me when I told him to rest. And look at the result! She shook her head sadly.

Josh laughed out loud. Yes, he’s looking after himself all right. He’s saying that his leg is fine too now and that he could run a marathon if he wanted to, but he’s too busy looking out for you to have the time!

Oh! she said tearfully, how lovely.

I’m going to move on now love, but Wilf wants me to tell you not to mow the lawn yourself. Get one of those strapping grandsons to do it for you and have a rest!  Her smile lit the room at this comment. And you’re to stop worrying about him. He sends you all his love and will be waiting for you up there. He pointed upwards, and then said but he doesn’t want to see you for a very long time!

Oh thank you! she said, thank you so much! She dabbed at her tiny nose with a wisp of lace and Helen wanted to hug them both.

My pleasure. Now.... His gaze swept the rows, and Helen’s heart almost stopped as he looked straight into her eyes.

He moved to the front of the platform, and leant forward towards her pinning her to her seat with his eyes. Why had she sat in the front row? She never ever sat in the front row!

I’m getting the name…..Heather, no not Heather. Helen, yes that’s it, and I’m being told I’m with you. Can you accept the name Helen?

Remembering Iris’ strict instructions and trying for a non-vibrato reply, she said yes, she could accept that name.

I’ve got a lady here who desperately wants to speak to you. In fact, she was one of the visitors last night who refused to let me get to my bed!

Helen mouthed a large ‘O’.

He scanned the distance and then brought his attention back to Helen. Ah, I see, he said with satisfaction. She says she’s not Helen - you are! Is that right?

Helen felt sick! After all these months of waiting and hoping, she was finally getting a message and she couldn’t even open her mouth!

Talk to me Helen, if only to tell me to shut up! His eyes crinkled.

Yes, I’m Helen. She couldn’t say anything else. Not without bursting into tears and making a complete show of herself.

I think I’ve got Mum here? he said gently, obviously sensing her emotions.

She nodded, two huge tears trickling down her cheeks.

Please don’t be upset. He reached his hand out towards her in a comforting gesture, and then fell clear off the edge of the platform, landing in a sprawling heap at her feet!

Tears, this time of laughter, trickled down her cheeks, and she was grateful to him for deflecting the attention from her even if that hadn’t been his intention.

Meanwhile, Iris puffed her way across the floor like a distressed steam engine. Oh dear! Oh my goodness! Are you all right?

Josh regained his feet and, blushing furiously, sat down on the edge of the platform, running his fingers through the dark unruly curls. He whispered to Iris who patted him gently on the arm before climbing onto the platform. She pulled the microphone from its stand and handed it down to him.

I think it’s probably safer if I stay here for the rest of the evening, don’t you? The congregation smiled; as far as they were concerned, he could stand on his head if it would make him feel more comfortable.

Helen tried desperately to still her shaking limbs.

Sorry about that Helen. Now, your mum is saying that you’re almost as clumsy as I am?

She nodded with embarrassment, but remained silent. She wasn’t going to admit it in public.

She says you once fell down the stairs because you were in a hurry and didn’t do your shoes up properly? He cocked his head to one side like a bird listening for a worm. She’s showing me a tree? It was clear by his expression that he thought he had misheard. Something to do with a race up a tree with your brother? He still looked confused.

She laughed out loud as his words evoked a memory long–forgotten. She’d actually fallen out of a tree once when they’d been climbing, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.

Amazing how resilient young bones can be, he said knowingly. Especially falling from that height!

Helen was actually stunned. He was amazing!

Apparently, you’re doing a great job of looking after your little brother, although Mum says he’s not really little anymore?

No, he’s three years younger than me, but about a foot taller!

Now I wonder why that is?

Boys do often grow taller than girls, she said helpfully, then wished the ground would swallow her up as she realised he hadn’t been speaking to her, but responding to something her mother had said.

"It seems that I’ve got to tell you not to do it, only I’m not being told what it is. Does that make any sense to you?"

Yes, it does make some sense, she said hesitantly. Can she tell me why? ‘Oh Mum,’ she thought desperately, please be on my side.

He looked upwards. Very demanding isn’t she? and then he nodded as mum obviously agreed.

Because it will be dangerous apparently! He shook his head, obviously mystified. What are you thinking of doing?  Barrel jumping off Niagara Falls?

Just getting married - not exactly life threatening!

The grin disappeared from his face, and Helen could tell that her mother was talking to him again.

Well, I’m going to move on now Helen, but perhaps we could discuss this further over a cup of tea afterwards?

She nodded, wondering nervously why he had stopped so suddenly. What could Mum possibly have said?

He moved on after that, and gave a young girl a lovely message from her boyfriend who’d died tragically in a fire whilst trying to save their baby from the flames. He was fine Josh said, and watched over them every day. He was so happy that the little boy was the image of him and thanked his wife for taking such good care of his little man. Many tears fell during that message for the young Mum.

She felt emotionally drained and wondered how Josh could possibly cope with it all night after night?

All too soon, the light flickered on the podium telling Josh that he’d used up his time so he thanked everyone for listening and settled back once more onto his seat looking tired but satisfied.

One final hymn was sung, a prayer of thanks said with healing thoughts sent out to all those suffering in the world, and then it was over.

Helen waited for the crowds to disperse, and then headed to the double doors at the back of the room behind which tables were set out for tea and biscuits. She had never stayed behind before and felt self-conscious as she stepped up to the counter, but she soon realised there was no need. The two ladies serving the tea were friendly and welcoming, and she instantly felt like she belonged in this strange, magical place.

She sat down at an empty table; her slim body a mass of nerves as she waited for Josh to join her.

Swallowing the last mouthful of the tepid liquid, she was about to leave when he finally wandered into the room, and after stopping here and there to shake a hand, or bestow a smile, he accepted his own cup and made his way over to her table.

She held her hands up as his tea swayed precariously in the cup, and he laughed but managed to sit down without spilling any.

Hi! Sorry I took so long. He picked up the sugar pourer and filling his teaspoon three times, stirred each spoonful in thoughtfully.

Helen felt the urge to scream. Was he ever going to speak?

Do you fancy something a bit stronger? he asked suddenly, pulling a face at the tea. There’s a nice pub just around the corner, and it might be a bit more private?

She had noticed that they were causing a small sensation amongst the other tea-drinkers.

Why not? she said trying not to sound nervous, but following him from the room on trembling legs.

They didn’t speak again until Helen had settled at a table in the garden, lit a cigarette, and gulped a large mouthful of the red wine he’d bought her. She watched gratefully, but with some surprise, as he also lit up. Jack hated her smoking and constantly nagged her about it. The more he nagged, the more she smoked, and no matter how many times she explained this to him, he just couldn’t seem to leave the subject alone. It was nice to see that Josh had at least one vice.

Well, this is very nice, she said, in an ‘okay, let’s lay our cards on the table’ tone.

Yes, isn’t it? he replied, swirling the lager around in his glass, gazing deeply into its amber depths.

Is there something more you want to tell me? she continued doggedly. "Perhaps something that’s not very nice? You seemed to stop dead, forgive the pun, halfway through my message?" She tried not to make it sound as if this were a complaint.

Let’s just chat for a bit shall we? These evenings always frazzle me around the edges and it’s nice just to have a quiet drink without too much pressure.

I’m so sorry! she replied with genuine remorse. He must be totally exhausted emotionally.

He said suddenly, Tell me about yourself Helen. What do you do?

I’m a bouncer. Didn’t Mum tell you? Feel that! She flexed her bicep in front of him and watched with delight as his eyes crinkled, followed by disappointment when he didn’t accept her offer. She had a feeling his touch would not be easy to forget.

Seriously, I need to get a bit of background on you. What job do you really do?

Sorry.... I’m nervous! she said crossing her long jean-clad legs and smiling.  I’m a freelance accountant. She waited for his eyes to glaze over.

Really? How interesting.

She resisted the temptation to respond to his sarcasm, and was glad when he said, do go on, really, I mean it. I’m interested.

She continued reluctantly. I expect you know the type of thing. A small company needs their books doing but haven’t the time or resources to do it themselves. So I go in, take all the relevant documentation to my office at home and put everything in some sort of order. She smiled to herself as she thought of the greasy receipts and jam-covered ledgers she often had to work with. Then I do their annual accounts for submission to the Revenue.

I think I preferred the bouncer story! he said, still swirling the lager reflectively. He looked into her soft green eyes. Do you know just how absolutely gorgeous you are?

She choked, while thinking 'right back at you' and smiled, said a polite thank you, and swiftly changed the subject. Where do we go from here?

He followed her lead. Let me tell you what I already know. You lost your father when you were a child, and when Mum died, you carried on looking after your brother? She nodded. You live with your boyfriend. This was a statement rather than a question.

Mum must have been extremely informative!

She was, he said, ignoring her gentle sarcasm.

What else did she tell you? It’s obviously something that you’re not comfortable talking about? She wound a long auburn curl round her finger nervously.

One thing I learnt very early on is that sometimes what spirit tells me has to be censored before I can repeat it. Otherwise, there could be serious consequences. For instance, imagine that I’d been told by spirit that you’d never be able to have children!

She felt her stomach plummet as visions of hers and Jack’s beautiful children faded before her very eyes.

Josh put his hand on her arm sensing her distress. No, no! he said quickly. That was just an example! But you see what I mean?

She hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath until then.

I do now! she said with feeling.

Where was I? He rubbed his hand over a cheek that was beginning to show signs of very dark stubble on his tanned skin. Now, suppose that having kids was the one thing you wanted more than anything else in the world.

Helen could suppose that without any trouble; it was Jack who wasn’t awfully keen.

How would I get that information across to you without hurting you? And should I even try? How would it benefit you to know before you eventually found out by the usual channels? And would it lessen the shock for you if I gave you a hint in church or would I just be starting the chain of misery before it was necessary? He shook his head with confusion. Sometimes, I honestly believe that ignorance really is bliss.

Helen pondered on his words. I can see what you mean, but I really don’t know what I can tell you about me that will help. I’m not awfully interesting.

He sighed and shook his head with obvious disbelief.

Okay, okay! I’m 25, I love my brother, I love my job and I totally adore Jack! Was it just to her own ears that she sounded defensive?

Ah! The prospective husband?

Yes, the prospective husband.

Tell me all about him.

This also would not be difficult. She took a deep breath and launched into her favourite   subject with pleasure. We met six months ago. I did some work for his company, and he was very helpful and kind to me. You know; nothing was too much trouble for him. Josh grinned at her words. Yes, I know he probably wasn’t being totally altruistic, but I was impressed anyway.

I imagine most men would find it easy to be helpful and kind to you.

Well, I don’t know why you would say that; you don’t even know me, but Jack is certainly very good to me, and he’s considerate and generous as well. I’m very lucky.

Who’s Kev? Josh asked suddenly, ignoring her fulsome praise of Jack.

My brother. You know, the tree climber. Why do you ask?

He shook his head as if doubtful that he should speak.

It’s time I was off, Helen said, suddenly deciding that she really didn’t want to know anything else. She had a feeling that if she was to