He was gone a week later and, for a few months, I got postcards depicting famous works of art from London, Paris, Morocco, then nothing. I wasn’t too heartbroken. I hadn’t been ready for his intensity. I was only eighteen and, like Sam, wanted to experience life, love and all it had to offer.

36

The following day, I made a start on moving some of my things over to Marcia and Pete’s house. As soon as I’d unloaded the boot, they sat me down in the kitchen and made me bring them up to date about everything; all about the hypnosis session, meeting Eileen and seeing the photographs, though I sensed that Marcia was peeved that I’d gone with Heather and not her. ‘Heather’s absolutely right,’ said Marcia. ‘You have to find him now.’

‘I agree. No more need to persuade me,’ I said. ‘I’m in.’

‘And I’ll help in any way I can.’

‘Yes, but we don’t know if Bea has still to meet her soulmate,’ Marcia pointed out. ‘Saranya Ji never said if she’d met him already, or was to meet him in her future, only that she had to find him.’

‘Good point,’ said Pete.

‘And of course,’ I said, ‘addressing the elephant in the room, what if he was Graham? And I’ve had my time with him already?’

‘What do you think, Bea?’ asked Marcia.

I let out a deep breath. ‘No doubt I loved him and he loved me.’

‘I’m sure Saranya Ji would have said if Graham was the one.’

‘I looked for her on line,’ I said. ‘There are thousands of women with that name, but I couldn’t find our Saranya Ji anywhere. I can keep trying, as maybe she could add something to what she told me already.’

‘So where are you up to with your list?’ asked Marcia.

‘I contacted Kevin Grisham and we’re meeting on Saturday.’

‘Excellent. I remember him but … I know you liked him but there was something – how can I describe it? – a bit limp about him. My gut tells me it’s not him.’

‘Who knows? He sounded friendly on the phone, if a bit eager.’

‘That was it,’ said Marcia. ‘He always came across as needy. Anyway, worth going to see him if only to eliminate him. Next is Bruno.’

‘He’s on Facebook, I’ve sent a friend request but haven’t heard back yet. He was gorgeous. I’d love to see what he ended up doing.’

‘But connection?’ asked Marcia. ‘If I remember right, he was only around one summer. What made you put him on the list?’

‘He was unlike any of the Manchester boys, such a great dresser, charming. We exchanged a few letters after that summer, but then it faded; we were too far away to sustain any real kind of relationship.’

‘Sam Gorman. You liked him and he adored you.’