Jackie Jones Sees The Path Uncoil

By Kristina Evans

John Turner crossed paths with a white witch and transformed Jacqueline into Jackie. But during the change, she asked for help from the devil.
In order to end the karma, she had to deal with past life issues but fortune and fame took over and she became confused. Forces provided signs but when she realised, why the snakes were following her, it was too late to see what was in front of her.
To uncoil the path, towards the supernatural, she began another cycle and found the reason why she lived her life as Jacqueline Jones.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristina Evans
• Release date: Oct 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005986490

Kristina Evans

Kristina Evans spent her childhood in Wales and while the adults shared stories at the local pub, she stayed at home with spirits of a different kind. Her grandmother provided protection but the experience remained until the family moved to Australia. Kristina learned how to block out the supernatural and being busy helped to strengthen the barrier.As time passed, energies tried to make contact and signs were provided but always ignored. Then a change of events found the author writing. Kristina was asked to work in a shop and experienced boredom. Trying to keep busy was impossible so she took up reading and heard the voice. Hoping that it was the chatterbox in her head going into overdrive, she turned to scrap-booking and wrote in her daughter's book.For a moment, the voice was gone but once pen was put to paper, she knew she was no longer writing about her daughter. The spirit came through with her message for others so Kristina left the shop and opened a laptop to allow spirits to share their stories of what they learnt when they lived amongst us.

Book preview

Chapter one

Through Jackie’s eyes

‘Jacqueline Jones, aaggghhhh, Jackie!’

The desperation from the voice outside my window, terrified me. I wondered if I was hearing things as the hour was early in the morning but I must have dreamt my name being called out. My room was dark and I should not be awake but my mind kept wandering back to the nightmare that woke me. To distract myself, I decided to catch up on my book report but still my thoughts strayed off track. Doodling on my writing pad, I noticed I have outlined the shadow from my lamp. It was going to be impossible to concentrate on anything and I should go back to bed.

My curtains were closed so I walked towards them, knowing there was nothing out there but darkness. Still my curiosity got the better of me. If I had dreamt of someone calling my name, then there should not be anything to be scared of. Slowly, I pulled apart the curtains and what appeared was not what I expected as I looked at a face which was pale and lifeless.

The boy, hanging from the tree, appeared to be my age and it was a tragedy that the teenager had gone to such lengths to end his path. My life hadn’t been good or bad but I couldn’t imagine having the need to end it. His dark eyes stared at me and normally, I would be horrified but for some reason, I felt quite calm. He seemed familiar as if he were a relative but being a boy, I knew it wasn’t possible for him to be part of our family. The only male in my life was my father and even he had been banished by my grandmother.

Taking in further details, I noticed his rope which resembled a snake and I was taken back to my dream. I was woken by a pair of fangs coming for me and now, this was outside my window. Maybe it was a warning but what for? Nothing was allowed near me and I’m not allowed out of the house without my grandmother. My mother thought I was too shielded and I agreed. I would do anything to be able to go to the local school and hang out with the other kids but I stopped nagging a long time ago.

‘Jacqueline!’ My name is being called again but by my mother this time.

‘I’m in my room!’ I wanted her to see what I was looking at.

‘Come downstairs!’ she stated, urgently.

There were a lot of questions that needed answers and I would have preferred if she came to me but as I heard her call out again, I knew she wasn’t coming. Taking the robe from the back of my door, I dragged myself to the kitchen for an early breakfast which my mother had prepared. Normally, my grandmother would be there to eat with us but for some reason she was nowhere to be seen.

‘Mum, there’s someone hanging from the tree outside,’ I told her too calmly for my liking.

My mother was worried but she refused to let on. ‘Your grandmother is dealing with it.’

I realised I had been summoned downstairs to be kept in the dark about the situation, hence the early meal. ‘Shouldn’t you ring the police or call an ambulance or something?’

‘No, don’t worry about it,’ said my mother, completely agitated.

My porridge was too hot to eat quickly and I was sure my mother deliberately did it to slow me down. Together we sat at the laminated table but any chance of my mother answering my questions was put to a stop when my grandmother walked in.

‘This might take a couple of days.’

My grandmother never ignored me so I knew something was wrong as she hadn’t even acknowledged the fact that I was sitting in front of her.

The mood changed and my mother was now trying to get rid of me, by telling me to eat up and go to the bathroom. I felt as if I was a pawn in a chess game and I was sick of it. Wanting to find out what was going on, I obliged and pretended I wasn’t aware of anything different.

They both sat at the table, waiting for me to disappear into the bathroom so I turned on the water and snuck out to stand behind the door of the kitchen which was now closed.

‘Is it who I think it is?’ my mother asked.

‘Yes, and I can save him if you want me to,’ my grandmother replied.

‘That’s not like you.’

My grandmother whispers, ‘I may have been too harsh with only wanting females to be part of our foundation.’

I wondered what organization she was referring to so I stayed perfectly still behind the door to listen.

‘I did the right thing by getting rid of your husband though,’ my grandmother stated as if she were referring to a piece of rubbish. ‘Imagine if he was still here. Jacqueline would have turned out a lot differently. My poor granddaughter, being born into this realm only to hear from her father that she is bloody hopeless.’

‘I suppose you’re right,’ my mother answered, remembering what he was like.

‘Of course, I am,’ my grandmother stated. ‘If I hadn’t knocked him out then who knows what he would have done.’

The sound of laughter echoed from the kitchen but I wondered why it was funny to hurt my father. They rarely spoke of him and I wished they would say more. I continued to listen but they had made a decision. My grandmother was leaving to take care of things so there was no time to think. I quickly dashed to the bathroom as I heard my grandmother leave.

The water soothed my body but not my brain as I had many questions for my mother. Normally, after a shower, I would go and study but today I was going to speak with my mother. I rushed to be with her while she was alone but stopped when I saw her standing at the window, looking over the fields enclosed by brick walls. I wondered what her thoughts were but I couldn’t get distracted. ‘Tell me about my birth.’

I broke her train of thought as she was surprised to see me. ‘You’re what?’

‘My birth and my father,’ I said, trying to act defiant and hoped I could get away with it while my grandmother was out of earshot.

She contemplated and I wondered if she was going to tell me the truth as the only explanation, I had ever received about my father was that he worked interstate.

‘Alright,’ she said as she took a cup of tea over to the table to sit down.

‘Being New Year’s Eve, your father had drunk a bit too much. For some reason, it was a cold night, very unusual for summer, so your father wasn’t happy with people coming into the house to visit me. He kept complaining about the house losing its heat, every time the door opened. Anyway, his moaning grew when the fire started to disappear. But I must say, it was strange because normally the house is good at keeping its heat during winter. I think it’s because the walls are made of such thick stones.’

I knew why my mother was getting sidetracked so I brought her back, ‘I know about the house.’

My mother’s eyes squinted. ‘Anyway, your grandmother came to help me with the birth and organised for your father to go and work in a warmer climate.’

‘What about my birth, Mum?’ I said, determined not to let her change the subject.

‘Like I said, it was cold and your father had drunk too much. You were born in the spare room next to the lounge.’

‘Tell me everything, Mum.’

You wanted to know about your birth and I’ve told you,’ said my mother as she got up to look inside the cupboard.

I hoped she was going to show me something but instead she told me to go back to my studies.

‘You know what time it is! Shouldn’t you be telling me to go back to bed?’

She glared so I left.

Really, I should have demanded the information from her as it was probably the only chance I was going to get but instead, I obeyed my mother’s wishes. Sometimes, I wished I could be brave and stand up to my mother and grandmother but they seem to have some power over me, especially my grandmother. I was always told they were protecting me for my own good but what was the use in being shielded if I couldn’t live! Being sixteen, I was old enough to know that other girls my age didn’t live like I did. Why wouldn’t they let me experience what life had to offer? If it meant I had to live this way all my life then I didn’t want to be protected. Whatever it was that was after me, I gave it permission to confront me.

Chapter two

Through the author’s eyes

Jacqueline went to her bedroom to finish her book report as her mother looked in the cupboard at a crystal ball. Normally, the ball would be transparent but today it was alive with visions. Things were about to change and there was nothing she could do about it. Margaret Jones had led a life of freedom and it broke her heart to see her daughter trapped in her own home. Since the birth of Jacqueline, her mother knew there was going to be trouble after sighting the mark of a serpent on the base of her daughter’s spine.

The wooden kitchen, in amongst the bluestone farmhouse, had seen many stories but now it was going to see one that was incomprehensible. Knowing that Jacqueline was studying, Margaret took the crystal ball and placed it on the table. It had been years since the ball had seen the light of day as she had wanted to avoid what wasn’t factual. But today was different and the supernatural was lurking outside.

Watching the ball, she wondered what it would reveal and as soon as she focused, the dark mist moved to show a vision of her daughter’s birth. The image was real and the picture of herself screaming, took her back to the pain she had felt during labour. It had been an unpleasant experience but then she remembered the woman who had placed her hand on her forehead. The more she looked, the clearer the woman became. Every detail appeared, even the little fireplace in the bedroom that blazed to the point, she felt the heat from it.

The fire crackled and she heard the whining of her husband, Cadel. He was stoking the fire in the adjoining lounge room to keep himself warm and the vision made Margaret smile. But her emotion was short lived as she witnessed the midwife who barged through the front door, like a charging bull. The scene jumped back to her husband whose complaining escalated as the heat escaped through the door. Then the ball became distorted and Margaret wondered why!

Wanting the object to show a clear past, she gave the ball a tap and quickly saw herself giving birth. Tapping had not only fixed the picture but also the sound that allowed Margaret to listen as the woman with a thick grey cloak, spoke another language. She had forgotten about the woman as it had been over fifteen years ago but now, she could see the angelic face who had helped her that night. She wished she knew who she was so she could thank her but when Margaret had asked for her after the birth, she had been told the only ones who had been present were the midwife and her mother, Aerona.

Putting it down to being delirious, she had let it go but now she could see her and knew the woman really did exist. Margaret wondered what else the ball would show so she continued to peer into the crystallized picture but for some reason, the ball was misbehaving and she really had no idea as to why she even picked it up. If it hadn’t been for Aerona putting it in the cupboard, then Margaret would have thrown it out years ago.

Flashes of her past were coming to fruition and with every vaulted memory, came the prominent view of a serpent. She knew of the dangers which came from the snakes who followed their family and that was the reason why she had left the cause. All Margaret had ever wanted was to live a normal life but there wasn’t any normality within her family.

Knowing of the other realms which surrounded her, didn’t mean, she had to be a part of it. Believing fate had brought her to this family, she tried her hardest to use her freewill to change her circumstances. But Aerona had not intervened and found her daughter’s determination amusing. They both knew Margaret would have to face her destiny at some stage as it was impossible to keep energy contained.

Still, it angered Margaret that she was unable to change her paths as she had tried on numerous occasions but what upset her more, was that Jacqueline was going to follow in her footsteps and there was nothing she could do about it. The anger running through her body transferred to the ball and it began showing visions of what was to come. The future involved a lot more snakes than she cared to think of and she would have kept looking for warnings if it hadn’t been for the movement upstairs.

Quickly, she looked around to see if Jacqueline was coming down the stairs but as there was no sign of her, she went back to studying the ball but it had changed back to being transparent. The realisation of what was ahead for her daughter made her more determined to ensure Jacqueline’s happiness. She was going to have a good life, if her mother had anything to do with it as it was the way Margaret was going to score points in her own life before she passed on from this realm to another. This child was going to be her way out and now that the boy, hanging from the tree, was about to be saved by Aerona, it meant that Margaret could end her selfish ways and do what she was meant to do. Hopefully by changing her way of thinking, she might be able to leave the past behind and end her suffering.

The ball had provided hope. Her only concern was Aerona who she knew had a heavy responsibility on her shoulders. For years, her mother had tried to teach her the ways of the spirit but Margaret had been too selfish to devote her time. But there had been no alternative for Aerona other than to try to change Margaret as she also had been a person who found it difficult to transform.

The boy hanging from the tree had been Margaret’s first son and would have made Cadel a proud father but it was Aerona who had sent him to the orphanage as she needed a granddaughter to pass on her knowledge. Cadel had been upset when he learned his son had died and complained constantly. After the birth of his daughter, he grew more irritable at the thought of another female in the house so Aerona had found him a job in another state which he gladly accepted.

Margaret was left on her own but she had always been a free spirit. But with a daughter to look after, she had to conform. In the beginning, she had listened to Aerona with the upbringing of Jacqueline but hadn’t wanted to get involved with the unknown. Today had been an eye opener as Margaret knew there was no way to ignore the inevitable when she saw her son hanging from the tree by a snake.

It had been easier for Margaret as she had never had to deal with shape-changers but now that a family member had nearly been killed by a slithering beast, she knew there was something to what Aerona had always warned of. After what she had witnessed this morning, she was glad Aerona had protected her daughter by teaching her from home.

It wasn’t as if Jacqueline had not had a good childhood. She had learned more than others who had been taught at school. Aerona had showed her spirits, realms, planets, galaxies and the universes. The only drawback was Jacqueline didn’t have other children to play with. She had to converse with the deceased children who roamed the house. Others considered their children using their imagination but as Jacqueline had not had contact with the outside world, she thought it was normal.

Until lately, when Jacqueline noticed real children riding bikes and horses passed her home. She began to question. When she was younger, it was easy to provide an answer but when Jacqueline began to speak with the children, who stopped out of curiosity, she knew something was wrong when she was the only one not going to school.

Aerona had always managed to end the conversations abruptly but never gave an explanation. Now Jacqueline was older, she was more aware and had stood up for herself when her grandmother had embarrassed her in front of girls who chatted at the gate. Sick of the curious teenagers hanging around, Aerona had exploded and told them the only reason they had to go to school was because their parents didn’t want them.

But the anger hadn’t lasted long as Aerona had been able to appease Jacqueline by buying her a horse to ride around the property. Her grandmother hoped that having something to do would keep Jacqueline’s mind busy but she had no idea the horse was about to change everything.

Aerona knew it was only a matter of time before her stories would become unacceptable. Her tales were believable to a child but her granddaughter was now a teenager and Aerona was running out of ideas to avoid the truth. So while Aerona was busy, Margaret watched her daughter walk into the kitchen and knew she was not going to give up with the questions.

‘Why aren’t you studying?’ asked her mother.

‘I can’t. That boy is on my mind. I keep looking out the window and wondering about him,’ said Jacqueline walking over to the window to look outside.

The house stood in the middle of a ten-acre block and her grandmother had been able to keep Jacqueline away from the boundary and away from the prying eyes of the local children but as the years past, the periphery became to close and with Jacqueline’s age, brought on the fascination of the outside world. Lately, her curiosity had taken over from the spiritual world she had become accustomed to within her own home.

‘I’m going for a walk outside,’ said Jacqueline. ‘I need some air.’

Her mother let her go as she knew she was inquisitive and also knew there would not be any evidence. Aerona would have taken the body onto the next dimension by now.

Margaret looked out of the window and saw a group of girls on horses. They walked past the iron gates and suddenly she felt sorry for Jacqueline. Her daughter had missed out on companionship but that was coming to an end as she watched her daughter walk over to chat with them.

She wasn’t sure what to do as Jacqueline appeared defiant and Aerona wasn’t there to deal with the situation. Margaret wondered if she should intervene but with what she had been through today, she knew fate would take its course, regardless of any protection, so she decided to watch quietly.

Jacqueline had seen the girls ride past on several occasions so she decided to speak with them since her grandmother wasn’t there. They were happy to chat and mentioned they had seen her ride her own horse. The girls were curious as to why she only rode at home as there were many trails within the forest. But they didn’t know Jacqueline had always wanted to ride outside of her property.

Margaret stared through the window as her daughter approached. She wondered what she was up to and had no idea, Jacqueline was on her way to convince her mother to let her go.

‘What’s going on?’ questioned Margaret as her daughter walked through the doorway.

‘The girls are going riding and they want me to go with them!’

‘You know your grandmother won’t let you go,’ stated Margaret wondering if she should.

‘Grandma isn’t here!’ declared Jacqueline. ‘I’m riding with the others so I’ll be safe. Please let me go,’ her daughter pleaded and Margaret felt guilty as she had been allowed to make mistakes.

Aerona’s voice whispered in Margaret’s ear. She reminded her of past errors which were not to be repeated so as Margaret shook her head, Jacqueline walked outside. It was now or never as this was the only opportunity, she had to be free of her grandmother.

The horse waited in his paddock and stood still when Jacqueline approached. He sensed something was different and became excited when she put a bridle on him and mounted. Her movements were quick and he felt eager and before Margaret realised, her daughter was going to disobey her instructions, they were at the gate. Jacqueline opened the latch and as she walked through, she felt overwhelmed. A freedom ran through both horse and rider.

Jacqueline’s emotions were haywire and her horse felt the anticipation as he also couldn’t believe they were out of the prison. Everyone quickly took off to escape the repercussions as the other girls knew she wasn’t allowed out. Jacqueline looked back and felt relieved her mother wasn’t there but the escape had been too easy. She became worried but the others had no idea what she felt as she was doing something, they took for granted.

Her concern transferred through her black steed who pranced sideways as they walked away from the boundary. Concentration was needed so instead of panicking, Jacqueline had to focus to hold him back. Really, she was glad he was able to distract her mind but blisters were forming so she was glad when he decided to calm down once they arrived at the forest.

Being able to relax, she was able to take in the dream of finally being outside and with others she had envied from afar. Although, her life had been fantastically different, it had been very lonely. Now with her new friends, she hoped everything would change. She knew they were curious and would have questions but she didn’t need to quiz them as her grandmother had provided information.

Aerona had not been impressed with the girls call out to her granddaughter so had told of their identities. Jacqueline looked at the petite girl who was surrounded with an aura of an ox and knew she was Debbie. Ruth’s family owned a butcher shop in town and Bernice’s family owned the local delicatessen. The three of them had a comradeship Jacqueline envied and she hoped one day, she would be a part of it.

It felt good to be able to speak with others but once inside the safety of the trees, the girls didn’t want to ride. They were fascinated by Jacqueline’s home life and wanted to know about her mother. It was strange to speak with girls her own age who were alive and took a bit of adjusting but her brain responded.

And with a conversation started, they walked through the enchanted scenery. Their surroundings calmed their soul and they began to trot in silence until the trance was broken by what appeared to be, an out-of-control rider coming straight for them. Ruth screamed with fright while the others laughed, leaving Jacqueline confused.

‘It’s only John,’ Bernice said. ‘He always races through the woods at a million miles an hour.’

He pulled up in front of them, throwing mud into the air as his horse came to a screaming halt. While the others cackled, Jacqueline kept quiet. She could feel herself staring at him but she couldn’t help it as he was the most handsome boy she had ever seen. In fact, the only boy she had ever seen or spoken to in the flesh. He spoke with the others for a couple of minutes before introducing himself. His blue eyes pooled as he told her that he wouldn’t forget her as they shared the same name.

Trying to move her mouth to speak was useless as nothing came out. There was a pull in her heart and she didn’t know why. A battle was taking place within her and she wanted to speak to him but he took off without saying goodbye and she wondered if it was due to her being foolish.

Bernice placed her hand on her arm. ‘Don’t worry. He is used to girls blubbering in front of him.’

She felt the heat rise within her and knew the emotion would show on her face. John had had an effect on her and more than ever, Jacqueline wanted to go to school. Somehow, she had to convince her mother to let her go. Scenarios presented themselves and as she thought of excuses, she realised she had been unaware of the conversation taking place on her behalf.

‘Maybe, Jackie for a girl,’ Debbie suggested.

‘What are you talking about?’ Jacqueline questioned after registering she was the reason for the discussion.

‘I mean some call John, Jack. Jack is a nickname for many named John. So, we think that is probably why he mentioned the similarity because if Jacqueline was shortened then it would be Jack,’ explained Debbie. ‘But we think you shouldn’t let him call you Jack. You’re not a boy so don’t let him. If you want to shorten your name then it should be Jackie.’

Jacqueline agreed as she believed her name was too formal for a country school. It was time for a change and on that note, Jackie heard her grandmother’s whisper to return home.

Chapter three

The iron gates squeaked in the breeze as Jackie said goodbye to the others. It was a sound she wasn’t used to as they were very rarely opened. Being with the girls had been interesting and she enjoyed listening to how they lived their lives. Their families were different to hers and she thought of their reaction, if their grandmothers told them they were going away one day but, would always be around to look after them.

From an early age, Jackie had heard the same message. Remember I’m your spirit guide and all you have to do is ask for me and I will be there; dead or alive. The image amused her but the thought of speaking with her grandmother soon wiped the smile from her face. A discussion about John wasn’t appealing but she had a strange feeling that Aerona already knew.

Delaying the interrogation, she waited with her horse until the girls were out of sight before turning to head down the driveway to face her mother who was already waiting with questions.

Jackie knew she had to speak quickly, ‘Mum, I want to go to school and from now on, please call me Jackie.’

‘Alright,’ said Margaret, giving up as she knew it was inevitable. ‘I can understand Jackie but not going to school.’

‘It’s my last chance to go. I want to experience the last year of high school.’

‘Is it just the experience or is there another reason?’ asked Margaret as she walked next to the excited horse who was eager to return to his paddock for a drink.

Jackie’s final year had already started and as it was the end of term, she wouldn’t be able to start for a couple of weeks so her mother decided to let her ride with her new friends in the hope that the novelty would wear off. But when a heart is connected, it cannot break free. Meeting John had not been a coincidence as Aerona knew her granddaughter was changing and as she held a part of a soul, John had been sent to protect her.

With a change, Jackie had something to look forward to so every morning, she rose early to finish her studies. A promise had been made to ride with the girls and she eagerly waited by the gate for her friends to join her. She enjoyed the ride amongst the trees but felt disappointment with not seeing John. A few times, she had dropped hints as the girls knew him but she didn’t want to draw attention to the feelings she had for him. Instead, she kept a look out while wondering why she felt any connection with him. She couldn’t understand it but after a while, everything lost its vigour.

Aerona had kept John away and Jackie had become accustomed to her surroundings. At first, she had been taken by the beauty of the forest and wanted to experience the invigoration of the ride but now all she saw were tracks amongst the trees. The thrill from the ride had disappeared and she only rode with her friends for companionship and a hope she would find John. On occasions, she had glimpsed another rider and intrigue had taken over. She had given chase but to no avail. The novelty was wearing off.

A plan was in motion and one morning her friends were late. It wasn’t the first time they had appeared later than anticipated but as she waited, her horse became eager. He became agitated and kicked out impatiently so she decided to go alone, knowing they would catch up. Normally, her horse wasn’t impatient but for some reason he wanted to get somewhere and in a hurry.

Loosening his reins, she let him go and he quickly galloped into the forest. Not knowing where he was going, she wondered where she would end up but her thinking was diverted when she caught a glimmer of the unknown rider. Trying to see through the trees was useless but then she heard a neigh which surprised her. Jackie’s horse was tense and she wasn’t sure if it was because her horse was alone but she didn’t hesitate when her pumped up animal wanted to give chase.

It was the most thrilling ride of her life as she had never felt so free. She felt as if he would take off into the air and fly. It was an amazing feeling and one she had to contain otherwise she would have ended up decapitated by one of the low branches. The ground moved quickly below her and she wondered how fast the other rider was going. She tried to catch up with the stranger but all hope was lost when her horse stumbled, over a fallen branch and she fell off.

Defeated, she lay on the ground, annoyed with losing the mystery rider but she needed to check her horse. She sat up and a hand reached out to her.

‘Are you alright?’ asked an apprehensive John.

Jackie couldn’t believe it. The rider she was trying to catch was him. The times she had seen him riding in the forest and the moments she had given chase infuriated her. Why hadn’t he made contact? Then it dawned on her, she was in a cat and mouse game but then if he wasn’t interested in her then, why was he holding out his hand?

He spoke and she felt confused, ‘Are you getting up or can’t you stand?’

She took his hand and brushed off the dirt. He stared at her and sighed. Jackie didn’t know what to say so she checked her horse.

‘I have to tell you something,’ he said as he stood behind her. ‘I’ve been spying on you,’

It wasn’t what she expected and she remained silent.

‘I’m sorry, I should have explained and then we could have ridden together but I was worried. I thought you might get into trouble. My parents told me, your mother had given them strict instructions to make sure I kept away from you.’

Everything made sense and Jackie now understood. Revenge was the thought that came to mind but she would wait for the appropriate time to have it out with her mother as she didn’t want to ruin her chances of going to school. For now, she was curious to know why he was spying on her but as she was about to ask the question, a pain shot through her spinal cord.

‘What’s wrong?’ said John as he rubbed her back. ‘You have hurt yourself.’

‘I better get home,’ she said as she felt the energy run up and down her with his touch.

He helped her on to her muscled animal and escorted her back in silence to an awaiting mother and grandmother.

‘Oh, this just gets better,’ groaned Jackie leaning over the saddle to rest her head on her horse’s neck. ‘Grandma, this is John.’ She waited for the lecture but it never came.

Instead Aerona helped her inside as she instructed John to put the horse away.

He eagerly obliged so Jackie didn’t complain when he followed her grandmother’s instructions. Something was going on but the pain took over her thoughts and once inside, Jackie lay face down on the coach while her grandmother put together some ingredients to rub into her back.

Jabbing sensations ran along her spine but the pain had subsided by the time John entered the house. It was too late to warn him about her family as Aerona had him bailed up in the kitchen. Jackie waited for the speech but was shocked to hear Aerona’s approval of him.

Margaret leaned over her daughter. ‘I know you don’t know everything about spiritual protection but it is possible for you to stay friends with this boy and nothing else!’

Jackie didn’t know what to think but it worried her that her grandmother wasn’t concerned. It was not her character nor was it her mother’s disposition to be lenient. She didn’t want to create a problem but it was too late as she had already fallen in love with John. It was impossible to reverse her feelings and when she looked over at him and met his stare, she knew her life was going to change.

Margaret had joined the conversation and Jackie’s first reaction was to tell her mother to leave him alone but then she gave up and buried her face into the cushion. She closed her eyes and wondered what it would be like to bring a boyfriend home to a normal family but considering everything she had been through, she thought herself lucky he was even in the house. A tingling sensation ran up her spine again and she wondered if she had caused herself some damage from the fall. A soothing hand was on her back and she thought it was her grandmother but the voice told her it was someone else.

‘How’s your back feeling?’ John said as he kneeled on the floor to face her.

‘Better,’ she said as she turned her face from the cushion. ‘I thought you’d never get away.’

He looked over at Margaret speaking with Aerona and grinned. ‘I have to go anyway.’

Jackie watched him leave as she contemplated the couple of weeks. It had been unusual to say the least. It had started with a death and ended with a new beginning. If she had known in advance that love would come in the form of John then, she would have gladly listened to her grandmother’s teachings.

Aerona could tell the future and she wished her grandmother had told her of what was to come instead of living a life of resentment. Hoping that it was all for a reason, she went to bed thinking of John while Aerona went to her bedroom knowing there was someone else who would take care of her granddaughter.

Sleeping was a necessity in Jackie’s family as Aerona believed it was a time of healing. And when Jackie woke, she felt better. She expected another morning of studying but when she looked at the clock, she was surprised to find she had slept in. It was unheard of in their family and she couldn’t understand why the house was silent.

A cold chill ran through her and her hairs stood on end as she focused on her peaceful night’s sleep. She couldn’t remember sleeping so deeply and she put it down to John. Going to sleep with an overwhelming feeling of happiness had helped her through the night but at one point, someone had tried to bring her out of the darkness.

She had been too relaxed to respond and she wondered if John had tried to get her attention but she wasn’t going to find out if she stayed in bed. Although, she hadn’t made plans to see him again, she knew she would and pushed back the blankets. The house was colder than normal so she grabbed her robe and walked to the top of the staircase. Whispers were in the air and as she listened, she realised her mother was speaking to a doctor who confirmed Aerona had died in her sleep.

Shocked, she sat at the top of the stairs and waited for her mother to be alone but that was not going to happen. As far as Jackie knew there were no phone calls made to let people know of her death and apart from the odd women that visited, there didn’t seem to be any friends for her to ring. So, the moment the front door shut, Jackie went to console Margaret but she had only made it down a couple of stairs before visitors started to arrive.

Surprisingly, the house was soon filled with women from all walks of life. They came to pay their respects and it wasn’t until she realised her mother was surrounded that Jackie made her move to get dressed. Her mother needed help but there was no time to contemplate or comfort Margaret as the demands from everyone had turned the morning into a blur. Jackie needed time to register the death and she wondered if the chaos was having the same effect on her mother. Margaret seemed to be enjoying the conversations with others but was it a mask?

She attempted to speak about their loss when she noticed her mother was in the kitchen making tea. Her mother poured the brew in silence so Jackie knew she was in no mood to chat. Putting the distance down to her mother being in mourning, she left her alone until the women were gone. She helped hand out the tea and when an announcement was made that the funeral would be held in the afternoon, the crowd began to disperse.

After patiently waiting, Jackie went to speak but was cut off.

‘I don’t want you to come to the burial,’ Margaret said before following the others.

Normally, Jackie would have been upset but she was used to her mother and her lack of explanations. There would be a reason and maybe one day she would find out but due to the situation, she decided to let it be as really her grandmother had not left her.

Jackie knew that Aerona was still with her as she had been brought up with spirits so there was no reason to feel sad. Given that Margaret knew of the spiritual world, she wondered why her mother had become so upset once it was time to leave the house. But as Jackie watched