Huda waited as Ally eyed the cups of coffee. Not long ago, she’d believed the young woman was so easy to read, but nothing was clear anymore, not even Ally. Finally, the young woman pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Remember, my dear, you must think of a question while you drink.” Huda offered another counterfeit smile. “You can ask yourself, will I take a journey soon? Are there any adventures coming up in my life?”

“Adventure?” Ally frowned. “Not likely.”

“It sounds like you need a holiday. You should take a trip to Jordan.”

“I’ve got to admit, I’ve been thinking about taking a little break from Baghdad.” Ally paused and lowered her voice. “The problem is, with all this tension with Washington, some of the other embassies are starting to withdraw nonessential staff. If I go, the bureaucrats in Canberra could decide to keep me out too. After all, I’m the poster child for nonessential.”

“Don’t say that,” said Huda quickly. “You deserve a little holiday. You like scuba diving, yes? You should go to the Red Sea. You can see a whale shark there.”

“I don’t know.”

“They have some lovely spas too. You could really relax.”

“I’m worried if I go, I won’t be able to come back. Maybe in a few months, when things calm down . . .” She raised her coffee, gulped the last few mouthfuls, then slid her cup across the desk.

“Okay, my dear,” said Huda. “First, you must take your cup and saucer back in your hand. Do you remember? Follow what I do.”

Ally copied Huda’s motions, slipping the saucer on top of the cup and swirling the pieces at her chest.

“Careful now,” said Huda.

She flipped the china upside down. Ally held her breath and did the same. Her cup slipped sideways, squealed like a tiny mouse. Ally caught it with her fingertips and slid it back into place.

“Now,” said Huda, “close your eyes. Forget about everything but the question you want answered. Put that at the center of your mind.”

After waiting a few minutes, Huda broke the seal between Ally’s cup and saucer, and turned the cup upright. In places, the congealed grounds rippled like tides. In others they were pockmarked with craters. Huda’s pupils widened: three signs stood out, clear as day.

“What’s that?” Ally sat forward and pointed at a grainy squiggle. “Is that a snake?”

Huda ransacked her mind for the most convincing lie.

“You won’t believe this.” She faked a chuckle. “But there is clearly a sea or an ocean in your future.” She pointed at two grainy puddles. “See, it is parted down the middle, like the Red Sea before the Prophet Moses.”

Huda flicked her finger toward a blob of grinds.