‘No, no. You have an unusual aura, that’s all,’ she said eventually.

‘I’m sorry?’

‘I see auras around people. Yours is … distinctive.’

I was taken aback. ‘Oh? In what way?’

She exhaled deeply. ‘Hmm. You give off mainly a blue haze, and green – which is good. But you also have a lot of dark red light around you – and there are holes in it. There’s a fair bit of conflict going on there. Something bad has happened to you – am I right?’

I folded my arms across my chest. ‘I’m sure something bad has happened to most people at some time in their lives.’

‘Yes, but this feels like something really bad. Like something you’re being weighed down by.’ She continued to study me with interest.

I felt a little angry that this woman, who didn’t know me from Adam, appeared to be looking at me as if I were some sort of specimen. ‘You’re mistaken. There isn’t anything in particular,’ I snapped. ‘I’m perfectly happy, thank you.’

She held up both palms towards me defensively. ‘I didn’t mean to cause any offence,’ she said hastily. ‘Maybe I was wrong, perhaps it’s just the light then. I suppose things could be a bit distorted by the canopy.’ She indicated the cover over her stall.

I nodded and turned to walk away.

‘Aren’t you the new people in the cottage next to Mrs Barley’s?’ she called after me.

I paused. ‘That’s right, we only moved in last week.’

Her expression hardened. ‘Just you keep an eye on her. Now there is an aura there’s no mistaking.’

I shook my head and walked back towards Jack, feeling annoyed. I hoped there weren’t many more people like her in the village. I had been having a lovely time and she had put a damper on my mood.

Jack looked round as I clutched at his arm.

‘Can we go home now? I’m feeling very tired all of a sudden.’

He smiled and slid an arm round my waist. ‘Of course.’ He lifted up a carrier bag. ‘That old boy was very persuasive – I’ve treated myself to some rhubarb gin! Come on, I’ll make us a cup of tea and we can have some of that cake.’

I glanced back over my shoulder as we left the green. The woman was still staring after me.

*