‘You are really so afraid of the future, you don’t want to see what it says on a card that, according to you, means nothing?’ Ethelinda asked with a smile that was, quite frankly, more than a little bit smug.

‘Thank you, this was a fun game,’ I told her as I made for the exit. ‘I hope you have a lovely evening.’

‘Francesca, wait,’ Evan called as I swished through the silk curtains that stood in for a door and barrelled out into the hallway.

‘What shall we do now?’ I asked, eyes darting around the dimly lit corridor. ‘Do you need another drink? Let’s find a bar, I think I’m ready for one now.’

‘You know that was kind of weird, right?’ he replied, his forehead creasing with concern. ‘They’re only tarot cards, it’s just for fun. Why are you freaking out?’

‘I’m not freaking out,’ I said, squeezing my bag tightly. ‘I don’t like that stuff, that’s all. We decide what happens to us, no one else. I’ve got enough people telling me what to do without Ethelinda and her bullshit cards getting in on the act.’

He let out a low whistle. ‘You weren’t kidding when you said you like to be in control, huh?’

I looked down at the floor and waited until I was sure of what I wanted to say.

‘If you have other friends you would rather hang out with tonight, I completely understand,’ I said.

Even I was surprised by the coldness in my voice but not nearly as surprised as Evan.

‘What are you talking about? Francesca, come on.’

But now I’d started, I couldn’t stop.

‘Well, you don’t really know me, do you?’ I replied. ‘Maybe I’m really moody. Maybe I’ve just had enough.’

He looked confused and hurt and I hated myself for it. ‘Where is this coming from?’ he asked, lowering his voice as a group of people pushed each other through the curtains to the tarot room. ‘Ten minutes ago we were having fun. What happened?’

‘I don’t know what you think is going to happen tonight, but I really do have a boyfriend, a fiancé actually, so this isn’t going anywhere,’ I told him, mentally screaming at myself to shut up as I brought down all my walls, but it was too late for that. ‘You ought to go and find someone who’s available. I don’t think you came here to not get off with someone, did you?’

‘Is that what you really want?’ he asked, catching my wrist in his hand. ‘Is that what you really think?’