‘Of course not. I think people believe in reincarnation because they can’t handle their own mortality. I think, you live, you die, so make the most of it now. All that past life stuff feeds an idea that somewhere, sometime, it was all better than it is now. Grass is greener sort of thing, an escape. And if there is any truth in it, which I don’t think there is, then if you evolve from life to life, then surely this has to be the best one yet, so why look back?’

‘Those were exactly my first thoughts.’

‘And as for soulmates, pff: it’s pot luck, forget fate or destiny. You meet people, sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you’re not, but generally I think you create your own destiny through the choices you make.’

‘Saranya Ji said destiny is fated, the only choice we have is in how we react to it.’

Heather studied me closely. ‘She really got to you, didn’t she?’

‘I … no, oh, I don’t know, Heather. Maybe it is all an escape from what I’m facing. I keep telling myself to get a grip.’

She reached out and put her hand over mine. ‘We’ll get through this, Bea; there’s a lot of sorting out to do but …’ She stopped and laughed, ‘I don’t think looking for a soulmate from a past life is going to help in any way, unless he’s reincarnated as a multimillionaire.’

When she put it like that, I realized that it did all sound insane and I laughed too. ‘You’re probably right. Too much sun and spicy food addled my brain.’

‘It’s not that I’m close-minded, but you have to admit the past life bit does sound way out. Still, OK, just for a moment, let’s go with it. Saranya Ji said that there will be a recognition if you meet your soulmate, in which case, why do you have to do all the running, trying to find him or get Pete or Marcia to find him? It has to work both ways. He should want to find you as much as you him. Let him come to you, find you. You are a strong, independent woman, used to making things happen so, for once in your life, let go. If there’s any truth at all in what your psychic lady said, then it will happen when it’s meant to, as she said: first comes your destiny, then it’s your choice how to react to it. So let it be, let him come to you, then decide if you like the look of him and if there’s any kind of cosmic recognition.’

‘I hadn’t thought about it that way. I like that. Yes, if it’s meant to be, if we’re meant to be and if there’s any truth in it, yes, let him find me.’