"It's been 5 years since Sofia died, and she and the other spirits "upstairs" continue and watch the dramatic events and devastating consequences that unfold on the earthly plane. This is book 3 in the Sofia Trilogy."
There's still time to read the first two books, LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER and SOFIA'S LEGACY. Simply send a message on the comments, or they are available from Amazon, other online retailers and good book shops. Don't want to buy them? Borrow them from your local library.
Howde Folks!
Sofia still here. I hope you're one of those whose life I've made better. Have my mantras and bucket list inspired you?
This week I thought I would take you back to the very beginning; that day in June 2004 when I visited a clairvoyant. Oh boy, I'm so pleased I did.
CHAPTER 1
June 24th, 2004
There’s
a reason for everything. Nothing happens by chance, Sofia West Bridgford semi but it served its
purpose. This was a suburb of Nottingham; the city famous for its lace, castle,
Sherwood Forest and the legendary Robin Hood.
Sofia
wondered what she would hear today. What did the future hold for her? Was there
any escape from her mundane lifestyle? Would things improve? But then, what
does the future hold for any of us? It was a hot, still, June
afternoon when every sound seemed to be accentuated. Through the open window
she could hear traffic noise from the nearby town centre; it was interspersed
with a neighbour’s dog barking and the unmistakable sound of a lawnmower. All
of this faded slightly as jet engines roared above. A plane had taken off from
the East Midlands airport; it was heading for
the clear blue skies and on to foreign shores.
Life went on outside as she
was about to hear her destiny; what fate had in store for her for the next two
or three years from John Taylor, the highly respected clairvoyant and medium or
JT as she fondly called him. He claimed a 95% accuracy in his readings and that
they were usually two to three years into the future although timing for any
event was always the most difficult to predict. She had been having regular
sittings for almost ten years and was always amazed at his predictions. She
felt that he or the Spirits were guiding her through this life and for that she
was eternally grateful.
JT sat opposite her, looking relaxed and cool, wearing denim jeans,
sandals and a Notts County tee-shirt. That infuriated her. He should be a Forest supporter like her father. John
was middle-aged, medium build, with a mass of blond hair that any female would
die for. His dark blue eyes were a prominent feature of his small round face. A
long beard and moustache hid most of his visage but more importantly for him it
hid the scars which were a reminder of the awful car accident when his near
death experience had resulted in him having “the gift”. Some scoffed at his
claim to communicate with the other side but she knew from personal experience
that JT genuinely had the ability to communicate with the Spirit world.
He was preparing for the sitting, eyes closed and mentally tuning
into the other world. She inhaled the citrus and sandalwood, still aware of the
lawnmower and hoping the neighbour had a small lawn. When ready he looked
across at her, initially captivated by her natural beauty. She was one of Nottingham ’s finest: tall, slim, late-twenties or early-thirties,
dark shoulder-length straight hair with middle parting and a fringe in
proportion to her long face. She had brown eyes, natural rosy cheeks and deep
full lips. She wore no makeup or perfume. Her only jewellery were a silver
cross and chain, wedding ring and watch. She was wearing a long plain
tan/orangey dress with short sleeves, buttons down the front and a belt. Her
cream sling back low-heeled sandals were the perfect match. She reminded him of
a pretty porcelain doll, looking so demure, seated with her hands resting on
her lap showing neatly manicured nails at the end of long fingers perfect for
playing the piano. Her feet were firmly together on the floor. Only her ankles
were visible beneath her dress. She wore no stockings. Her torso was neatly in
the ‘S’ position on the left-hand side of his sofa with her cream leather bag
next to her.
‘Nice to see you again. You know how this
works.’ His voice sounded angelic, soft and soothing, unusual for a man.
‘Yes, just say “yes” or “no” but do not give
any information.’
‘How long has it been since your last
reading?’
‘2002, January. Just over two years.’
‘Things working out well?’
‘OK I guess.’ She made a poor attempt at a
smile, ‘it was as you said. Obviously, I can’t tell you until after the
reading.’ She, too, had a soft voice but spoke as if she had come top of the
class in elocution lessons. Everything about this woman said “class”
‘You’ve
got the hang of this. Well, I see a lot of people and I can’t remember what
I’ve said before. I remember you as an individual and I know you spiritually. Ready?’
‘Yes.’
He
switched on the tape recorder just as another jet could be heard heading for
the skies.
‘I
hope that doesn’t spoil it.’
‘It won’t. Trust
me.’ He closed his eyes.
‘As we come to this moment in time in Spirit
I’m getting a lovely blue aura around you and that means someone close to you
who’s died is coming through. It’s a lady. I’m getting the letter ‘B’ Brenda . It’s your mother. Is your mother in Spirit?’
‘Yes.’
‘She’s telling you
that you should not have given up your career as a nurse. Housewife, mother and
Women’s Institute meetings are not enough for you. Were you a nurse?’ He asked
almost in disbelief. She did not look the type to him and he had no
recollection of that fact from previous sittings.
‘Yes.’
‘She
was taken into Spirit early in life wasn’t she? It was illness. I’m getting cancer,
bowel no breast cancer.’
‘Yes.’
‘How old was she?
Forty-two?’
‘Yes.’
‘She
definitely wants you to go back to work or take up a new interest, something
that will give you a new lease of life. You’ll be happier then. You’re not
happy now, are you?’
‘Sofia
sighed and put her hand to her head. She knew she ought to be happy with her
lot in life; a husband who earned a large salary and two lovely children. There
were many women who would swap places without a second thought but her mother
was right, she was not happy; she was dissatisfied. Something was definitely
missing and had been for some time. She hoped that today she would receive the
answer and guidance she so desperately needed to move forward.
‘Are
you going to Greece for your holiday this year?’ JT had moved on possibly
sensing her answer.
‘No. Cyprus
‘Well, they’re
showing me the Acropolis. I’ll leave it with you as something for the future.
Do you understand that?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m
getting the name Donald.’
‘Donald. My
husband’s twin brother.’
‘Your
brother-in-law?’
‘Yes. Is he dead?’
Sofia
‘No, he’s
downstairs, but there’s a strong attraction between you. The Spirits are giving
you a warning. Be careful with him or it will end in disaster. Have I told you
before that you have an Indian Spirit guide?’
‘Yes.
Is he my parking angel as well?’
This
comment caused JT to open his eyes and smile just as the neighbour stopped
mowing his lawn and another plane flew overhead.
‘Parking
angel? Are you one of these people who ask for a parking space?’
‘Yes and it
usually works.’
‘I’m sure it does.
Do you do the Lottery?’ He closed his eyes again.
‘No. Why?’
‘There’s
some money coming to you in the near future. They’re showing me a large wad of
cash. Does the number 5 mean anything now? Can you take it now or in the
future?’
‘My house number
is 5.’
‘That’s
not it. They’re saying it’s a date, something will happen on the 5th
in the future. Anyone getting married?’
‘Neighbour’s
daughter.’
‘Maybe. Is it on
the 5th?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Have you ever worked in a shop?’
‘No. Never. Why?’
‘You’d be good
with your own business. Perhaps you should start up one. They’re suggesting
hairdressing and beauty salon. You need something else in your life. Have I
told you that before?’
He had but the
comment made her think about her husband. She knew that he would never allow it
or make her life so miserable that she would inevitably give up whatever she
started. Then she would see that silly smirk on his face. Once again he had
won, scored another victory over her and she would be back to square one and
even more depressed than before. He had persuaded her to give up nursing after the
birth of the twins. His flourishing and lucrative career meant that there was
no need for her to work and for the last eight years he had been controlling
her. His favourite comment was that her purpose in life was to look after him,
the home and their children. He was not a “new” man but a traditionalist who
considered a wife to be a possession owned by her husband who she must always
obey.
Her self-esteem
had reached an all time low. At the back of her mind she recalled JT telling
her about her husband’s domineering nature about four years ago and also that
she should do something about her life but she had not heeded the warning. She
should have gone back to nursing or started a new career as soon as the twins
started school but now it was too late. She had allowed herself to become a
victim, a down-trodden, dominated housewife with no real identity of her own,
just an extension of her husband. Someone he could manipulate and use as he
desired. She was the perfect hostess when he wanted to entertain his colleagues
and the perfect accessory for social functions. Somehow, she had become
isolated from her friends. Before her marriage she had been a real party animal,
full of life and fun with a large circle of friends from her school days,
church, time at university and work colleagues.
‘It’s not too
late. They’re telling me. You just need to take control. The Spirit world will
help you. Do you understand that?’
‘I haven’t worked
since the last century. Who’d employ me now?’
‘There
are schemes and help available but you have to take the first step. Do you
understand me? You make the first move and everything will fall into place.
You’re a “people” person. You miss communicating, they’re telling me. You care,
like helping people and being with people. You need more than the monthly Women’s
Institute, shopping and the school run. Do you take part in school activities? PTA ? Do you live in Coventry
‘No
to all three questions. Wollaton. Why?’
‘They’re
showing me Lady Godiva and Coventry Cathedral as something in the future.’
‘Maybe, we’ll take
the children over this summer.’
‘Do you go to church
regularly?’
‘No. Why?’
‘They’re
telling me that you used to. You were an active member of the congregation.’
‘That’s right.
Like most things it was before the children were born.’
‘You
still say your prayers, though.’
‘Yes.’
‘They’ve
heard you. Never underestimate the power of prayer. You’re asking for a change
in your life and that’s why you’re here today. They’re showing me the Book of
Exodus in the Bible. I don’t know why. I’m getting something else. It’s the
letter D, the name, Derek. Your husband. Is that right?’
‘Yes.’
‘He’s
had a promotion at work.’
‘Yes.
You told me he would the last time I was here. And as usual you were right.’
‘About
a year ago and he’s been unbearable since then, they’re telling me, the new
power has gone to his head. Is he really happy?’
‘What
makes you ask that?’
‘At
the hospital when people complain or moan they call them “Derekisms” after him
because he’s always finding fault. He’s not your typical doctor, is he? No real
bedside manner and his misery has rubbed off on you. You used to be a much
happier person before you married him. You need to find your old self again.’
‘Since
he became a consultant, MR D Haslington FRCS as opposed to a senior registrar
he’s been like a dictator, a complete tyrant and you’re right he’s always
complaining. I hadn’t realised before. I guess I’ve become so accustomed to it
that it just seems natural.’
‘They’re
showing me what he’s like at work. I can see his face. When did he last smile?
He wears gold-framed half-moon glasses and walks around with his collar
permanently up on his white lab coat. He always wears a dark suit and a bow tie
for work. Is he really in cardiology?’ John ’s
angelic voice rose as if surprised.
‘Yes.’
JT
laughed, ‘A heart specialist without a heart. He’s devoid of all emotion; a
hard man. They’re giving me the number 5 again, as to something in the future. Who’s
Barbara ?’
‘Mum’s
sister.’
‘She’s
in Spirit, isn’t she and she’s around you. You’re lucky you have quite a lot of
women upstairs looking after. I’m not saying they’re all around you all of the
time but they’re helping you to cope and they’re telling me there’s light at
the end of the tunnel.’
‘That’s
reassuring.’
‘Did
Barbara play the piano?’
‘Yes.’
‘She
was talented and so are you. They’re telling me that you should learn to play
the piano. You’re a natural.’
‘You’ve
told me that before. I started lessons but Derek
moaned it was a waste of money for me and so I stopped. We have a piano in the
drawing room. He plays occasionally and the children have lessons… ’
‘But
not you. He’s controlling you. He doesn’t know you’re here does he?’
‘No.
He’d have a fit if he knew. He thinks I go shopping on a Thursday afternoon
‘They’re
telling me that you need to sort your life out. They want you, and so do I, to
have some fun. Get the sparkle back into your life. Make some new friends. Have
you thought about voluntary work? Get out of the house more. Is there a Park
near you? I’m getting open space and a lake.’
‘Yes.
Wollaton.’
‘Of
course. Just go for walks by yourself. You need to relax more. Take up
meditation. Join some clubs. Make new friends. Get a social life. Is your
father in Spirit? I get mum in Spirit as I’ve said before and she’s concerned
about you. I get your father in… oh, no…they’re showing him to me now and
telling me that he’s downstairs and lives with you in a flat in your attic
rooms. They’re laughing about it. Is that right?’
‘It
certainly is.’ That brought a smile to her face and she laughed just as another
plane flew overhead, a car alarm was activated and the citrus candle died a
natural death.
‘He’s
a real comedian. Always up to tricks and makes sure you’re all aware of his
presence. But he certainly cares about you which is why he decided to live with
you; he wants to look after you. He doesn’t like the way Derek treats you. He’s
a laid back type of man. I can see him smiling and he wants you to smile more
like you used to. He’s told you that hasn’t he?’
‘He
certainly has and Derek knows he’s met his match with his father-in-law. My
father is the one person he has no control over.’
JT
carried on, ‘He’s been a big influence in your life. You could not have wanted
for a better dad; he certainly loves you and his grandchildren. He likes a
drink, gets on with everybody and he’s a sportsman: likes cricket and football.
Was he a pub landlord before he retired? Does he call you, Sweet Pea?’
‘Yes
he ran a pub and yes, my initials were SP. Sofia Pemberton. SP somehow became
Sweet Pea.’
‘Who’s
Miranda?’
‘My
sister-in-law.’
‘She
doesn’t like you, does she?’
‘I don’t think so,
but we used to be such friends. I don’t know why things have changed.’
‘They’re telling
me she’s a jealous woman who always wants what other people have. She wants
Derek.’
‘Why?’
‘She thinks he’s
more handsome, intelligent and earns more money. You have an easier life than
she does. You’re more attractive than she is. You could have been a model, you
know. She’s not very tall and slightly stocky build…’
‘What?’ Sofia
raised her eyebrows in total disbelief. ‘Derek and Donald are identical twins.’
‘But Donald isn’t
a consultant, is he?’
‘No.’
‘They’re telling
me he’s a brickie. Is that right?’ JT was amazed at that information.
‘That’s correct.
He’s a builder and works for a large company.’
‘Miranda likes
money and spending it. He doesn’t provide enough for her. She has to go out to
work and would prefer your life style. She hates her job as a physiotherapist.’
‘Really? Perhaps
she should retrain or spend a long period of time with Derek .’
The new word, “Derekism” kept going
through her mind and all she could think about was his perpetual moaning. She
had not been aware of it before but as soon as someone points something out it
suddenly seems obvious and she wondered why she had not realised earlier. Why
had she tolerated his moaning and domineering attitude for so long? In fact,
why had she married him? Oh yes, it was the old story but without the fairy
tale ending. He was a doctor and she was a nurse. She had fallen in love with
him or rather in love with who he was ten years ago when he had shown the
loving, caring and compassionate side of his nature which his children still
witnessed; but she for about the last six years had seen the other side of his
character. He was a true Gemini; a real Jekyll and Hyde man.
Her first reading
with JT had been just before her marriage; he had warned her of storm clouds
ahead as opposed to a rosy future and also predicted the birth of twins and
that it would be a boy and girl before the scan. She had ignored his warning
and gone ahead with the marriage mainly because she was pregnant. As a popular
and attractive nurse in her twenties she could have had her choice of doctors
but the dashing, Doctor Derek was the
one that had captured her heart. She had let her heart rule her head when they
made love without taking precautions and she had not thought to take the
morning after pill much to her later embarrassment. How could she, a nurse have
made such a mistake? JT brought her back to reality,
‘They’re telling
me that you’re not to let her get to you. Has she got children of her own?’
‘Who?’
‘Your
sister-in-law.’
‘Oh no.’
‘They’re telling
me she infertile and can’t have any. That’s another reason why she’s jealous.
She thinks your life’s a breeze. You like reading, don’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘You like to
escape from reality by burying your head in a book, that’s not the answer. The
twins, how old are they? Eight.’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m getting a
girl and a boy, Susan, no Sophie?’
‘Yes. After me
‘She looks like
you as well, long dark hair, rosy cheeks and brown eyes. She loves animals and
wants a puppy
‘Yes, she does.
The answer is firmly, no. Animals need looking after and I know my daughter
well enough to know that I’ll be the one looking after it.’
‘That might not be
a bad thing. Another interest that would get you out of the house. Sophie ’s brilliant at Maths and English. Always top
of the class. Her brother doesn’t like that.’
‘No, close as they
are there’s a healthy competition between them at school.’
‘Donald. Donny ?’
‘Yes. We named him
after my brother-in-law and call him Donny to avoid confusion.’
‘He’s good at
sciences and takes after his father. He wants to be a doctor. You must have
been young when you had the twins. You’re not very old now. What late
twenties?’
‘I’m thirty-six, a
Leo, born August 16th, 1967. I’m a child of the sixties born during
the population boom.’
There was silence.
For the first time ever JT did not know what to say. He could not believe the
information and there was no way he could tell her what he was seeing.
‘Well, they know
when you were born and now they’re asking me if you want to know when you’re
going to die.’
‘We’ve mentioned
this before. You know death holds no fear for me but I’d like to know when and
how.’
‘Are you sure?
It’s your responsibility if you want to know and there’s no guarantee that
it’ll be right. I can only go on what they’re telling me today.’
‘Yes.’ She was
positive. ‘Am I going to live to a ripe old age and see my
great-grandchildren?’
It was hard to tell in the sunlight but she was
sure John had suddenly gone pale.
‘The short answer,
they’re telling me is “No”.’
‘Oh?’
‘Are you sure you
want to know?’
‘Yes. Yes.’
‘Really?’
This presented him
with a real dilemma. ‘They’re telling me that you should enjoy your next
birthday in August and make the most of every moment you have left. Make next
Christmas special for the children. Start a new career and be happy.’
‘Fine, but when am
I going to meet my Maker?’
‘They’re showing
me rabbits, lambs and trees in bud suggesting springtime. Now, pancakes, that’s
Shrove Tuesday; Easter eggs, chickens and cards, a cross, a piece of paper with
a list of names on it, a box, possibly a gift box? Now flowers, snowdrops,
crocuses, daffodils and bluebells. The number 5 again. That’s three times the
number 5 has come in this sitting.’
‘Yes, but when,
next year, next decade?’ she paused as a thought flicked through her mind, ‘It
is next year isn’t it?’
‘I can’t say but
they’re saying months as opposed to years. It could mean anything; time is
different in the Spirit world. We’re all going to die one day and we both know
that death is glorious and nothing to be feared. All they’re suggesting is that
it will be at the beginning of the year as opposed to autumn or winter. They’re
trying to make sure that you enjoy the rest of your life, short or long and
make the most of every moment, every opportunity instead of just existing and
drifting from day to day as you are now. Are you all right?’
There was silence
again. She could feel the tears welling up and then denial. JT was never wrong
and deep down she knew it would be next year, despite how he tried to gloss
over the revelation.
‘How am I going to
die? Is it cancer like my mother?’
‘I can’t say.’ He
definitely could not tell her the awful sight that he was being shown.
‘Illness? Accident?
Am I going to be murdered? Will the children be OK? There was panic in her
voice.
‘Come on Sofia.
You know I can’t see that sort of information.’ He knew he would not be seeing
her again but he could not tell her that and fortunately it was getting near
the end of the sitting. He hoped he had given her some reassurance even though
he knew her days were numbered and she definitely would not see next June.
Somehow, he had to end this sitting on a positive note. He continued, ‘Now I
want to give you a package for the future; something positive. Have you lost a
child? They’re giving me something else. A baby that went straight to Spirit
world.’
‘Boy or girl?’
‘Boy.’
She had had an
abortion when she was eighteen but surely that could not be what he was seeing.
‘No.’
‘I’m getting the
name Billy. Oh, well, we’ll leave that for now. Something for you to think
about later. Do you live in an old property?’
‘Edwardian.’
‘How old’s the
central heating?’
‘Don’t know.
Seventies, I think.’
‘There’s going to
be a problem with it. They’re telling you to get it sorted before the winter or
you’ll be cold.’
‘This winter? So,
I’m definitely going to see it?’ she laughed.
‘Of course you
are. Did you know your grandparents?’
‘Not my mother’s
side. They died young. Both cancer victims.’ She shivered slightly.
‘There’s someone
in Spirit close to you, around you who you do not know. I think it’s your maternal
grandmother with your mother and aunt. They’re telling you not to worry but be
happy. They’re all at rest and sending their love to the family. I think you
can sense your mother around you.’
‘Sometimes. When
I’m really low.’
‘They know you’ve
been down. It’s only your children that keep you going and give you hope.
You’re living for your children but you must live for yourself. Now, as to the
future…’
‘You mean I’ve got
one?’
‘Of
course you have. We all have whether it’s days, months or years. When it’s your
time someone will come and collect you but that’s not yet.’
‘But
you said…’
‘Yes, I know
what’s come through but it certainly won’t be tomorrow and you’ve got a lot of
living to do yet.’ He hoped he had managed to rectify the situation and moved
her away from the inevitable; he could not tell her the awful truth. ‘I’m
giving you what I’m told in Spirit. It’s up to you to put it all together.’
‘You mean I have
to follow the clues.’
‘Something like
that. In the next twelve months all the answers do come and you will turn your
life around. You will set yourself goals and achieve them. You need to begin
with self-affirmation. You have to tell yourself that you are happy,
intelligent, successful, beautiful, good wife and mother etc and then whatever
goals you set yourself after you have listened to this tape you will achieve. Your
children will be proud of you. You will return to your former self and you will
be happy again. Derek will continue to
moan but he will lose his control over you because your first resolve will be
to cease being a victim, a dominated wife. When you leave here you will take
the first step to a changed identity. You’ve still got a lot to give to other
people, but it will be one step at a time. The Spirits are waiting to help you
and you will achieve all you set out to
do.’ He opened his eyes and leaned over to switch the tape off. Normally he
would ask if the client had enjoyed the sitting but that did not seem
appropriate in this case.
‘Do you feel
better equipped to face the future now?’
‘There’s certainly
a lot to think about.’
‘You
have to be positive.’
‘You
make it sound easy.’
‘Well, it’s really
down to you. Only you can change your life.’
‘I know, but it’s
so much easier to do what Derek wants than to fight. Somehow, I seem to have
lost my fighting spirit.’ She opened her bag and looked for her purse, ‘Still
£30?’
‘Yes. You will do
it. You will achieve all you have to do before your time is up on this earth.’
She took three £10
notes from her purse and stood up. He, likewise, rose from his chair, took her
money and gave her the tape recording of the sitting. He escorted her downstairs
to the front door. As he opened the door another plane could be heard above,
the dog was still barking somewhere along the street, the traffic noise seemed to intensify with the
addition of sirens from emergency vehicles which reminded John of the scene the
Spirit world had shown him that afternoon. It was on occasions like this that
he did not feel privileged to have “the gift”.
She turned to
thank him and say farewell until the next time. He mentally undressed her in
the way that men do when they see an attractive woman and imagined making love
to her. He was sure that beneath her
dress she had the most beautiful body, tall and slim but curvaceous and with
breasts that he could cup and fondle, a 34B, he reckoned and he was usually
right about these things. She certainly deserved better than the dastardly,
devious, devil called Derek . It was so
ironic that he should be a heart surgeon. A lump swelled in his throat as he
said goodbye knowing that he would not see her again.
She walked towards
her car parked about two hundred yards down the road without looking back. He
watched her from his lounge window in dismay. He felt sorrow and sadness for
the children, Sophie and Donny who were soon to lose their mother. He thought
that she was too young and too beautiful to die but then Princess Diana was
only thirty-six.
*********
HAPPY READING!
Love Sofia!
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