It's all in the stars. (standard:humor, 3300 words)
Author: red1hols	Added: Aug 22 2002	Views/Reads: 3342/2098	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
An Editor of a small weekly newspaper discovers that he has the gift of predicting the future of a particular reader.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

and watching him intently. Not wishing to disappoint his rapt audience, 
he opened it. The photograph enclosed with the note caused his eyes to 
widen. 

“Well?” Kim enquired. 

“You've got to see this.” Terry held up the photograph. 

The two of them rushed over the office and stood behind the Editors
chair. The picture showed a pretty girl with dark hair dressed in white 
T-shirt and jeans. Next to her, with a tattooed arm draped over her 
shoulder, stood a smiling Robbie Williams. 

“That's one of those terraced houses on East Street.” Derek jabbed a
finger towards the picture. 

“That!” Terry corrected him “Is a good story, get over there and
interview the girl.” 

“Not so fast you two, I want to see the letter.” Kim picked up the
neatly folded sheep of blue notepaper. 

The letter thanked Madame Gerome for the opportunity to meet her hero.
It told of the envy of her colleagues at her gift of six VIP passes to 
one of Robbie's forthcoming concerts, but the previous plea for him to 
drop the Astrology column remained. 

The story, with the photo adorned the front page of the next edition. It
was also picked up by a couple of national tabloids and magazines. 

Now, no one could describe Terry Blyth of being mean or vindictive. Ask
anyone who knows him and they will tell you that he is smart, 
articulate, witty, kind and particularly generous for a journalist. 
This is perhaps why he found himself the editor of a small weekly local 
paper at the tender age of twenty-eight, rather than graduating to the 
Nationals, TV or even radio. 

No one would describe him as stupid either, he knew there was a bigger
story lurking in his weekly stars column and he wanted it. Of course he 
would deny that he felt any pleasure in the wonderful feeling of power 
over the pretty Nina Kingsman who seemed to be fated to follow whatever 
whim flowed from his fingers. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. A local shopping trip on Saturday
morning will result in you being instrumental in the saving of a life. 
Your attention to detail and your recent hard work will result in 
recognition at work and your relationships with colleagues will 
improve. 

Terry had Derek stationed in the small town centre for all of Saturday
morning. He returned without a story. Neither did Nina Kingsman write 
to him the following week. Undeterred, Terry decided to put in more 
effort into the next weeks Astrology prediction. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. Saturday is very much the case of
you being in the right place at the right time. A night time visit from 
a stranger will bring about a process of renewal and past prudence in 
Financial matters will result in you receiving a large cheque. 

Terry had Derek follow Nina Kingsman on the Saturday with strict orders
that he was not to let the lady out of his sight. 

On the Monday morning, Terry summoned Derek to his office. 

“Well, what happened?” 

Derek looked decidedly unhappy. “Nothing. Nothing at all. She went
shopping in the city, she must have gone into every clothes shop in the 
centre and only bought a pair of trousers and then she bought a load of 
electrical stuff. Face it Terry, it was a coincidence, let it drop.” 

At that moment, Kim popped her head round the door “Phone call. It's
Nina Kingsman!” 

Terry nearly dropped the receiver in his rush to take the call. “Editors
office, Terry Blyth speaking.” 

“Hello. This is Nina Kingsman. Are you the editor?” The voice was soft,
almost tuneful, but there was a hint of steel in it. 

“Yes, I'm the editor.” 

“I want you to drop the Madame Gerome column. Please! It's making my
life hell!” 

“Ms Kingsman, I assure you that this is just a coincidence. I'm sure you
are reading too much into the predictions.” 

“And I assure you that I am not.” The voice began to quiver. “On
Saturday I went shopping and as I went into Dixons, they just happened 
to be marking down the price on a shop-soiled TV and home entertainment 
system that I have been admiring for months. So I bought it, over £1500 
I spent.” 

“Then, then last night” Terry thought he heard a quiet sob in the voice
at the other end of the line. “Last night, my house was broken into and 
the... the... swine stole the lot, along with the old TV, video, my 
computer, stereo and microwave!” 

Nina Kingsman broke down and cried. Terry tried to console her. 

“Look it is just a coincidence. Are you insured?” 

“Of course, I insured. That's all part of it, the process of renewal and
the large cheque, but I just want my life to be normal again. Please?” 

Derek watched as Terry tried to calm the young lady down, barely able to
contain his amusement at the obvious discomfort of his Editor. At last, 
Terry was able to end the conversation. Without making any promises 
over the column. 

“You know something?” Derek had the look of a sage. “You could bring her
round by predicting something, really, really nice for her. 

Derek moved surprisingly fast across the few yards to the door. The way
he ducked out of the way of the flying telephone directory was 
impressive too. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. Relationships are featured in your
stars this week. A romantic rendezvous will result in establishing the 
future with your partner. A lucky find will first cause you puzzlement 
before preventing you from making what would be a catastrophic 
decision. 

Terry and Kim sat in the back bar of the White Hart. The pint that sat
in front of Terry had hardly been touched. 

“You shouldn't have interfered in her love life. It's going to cause
trouble.” Kim continued to express her displeasure. “Of all the things 
you could have done, a holiday or meeting a long lost friend or finding 
a new talent or.... or.... Anything! You meddle in her love life!” 

“Look, it's all coincidence.” Terry sensed that Kim was losing momentum
“You don't believe that I am actually changing her life, do you?” 

“Whether you are changing it, predicting it or she reads what you write
and subconsciously changes things isn't the point. You just didn't 
think it through. They'll be trouble, mark my words.” 

Kim was right. On Tuesday morning, Terry had another letter. Managing to
retrieve it from the post room without Derek or Kim spotting it, he 
sneaked it back to his office and shut the door. The attempt to improve 
Ms Kingsman's love life had failed miserably. 

Her boyfriend had whisked the luckless lady away for a romantic weekend.
When they arrived, her boyfriend had to take a business call, so she 
decided to unpack on his behalf. In doing so, she found some 
photographs of her boyfriend with another woman at the theatre. At 
first she thought they must be old pictures and ignored them. It was 
only during dinner, when he mentioned that he had gone to that 
particular show alone that she realised that they were not. When 
challenged, he admitted he had been unfaithful resulting in a scene in 
the restaurant. 

Nina Kingsman appeared adamant that the relationship is over. As if to
emphasise this, that particular section of the letter was stained by a 
large drip of water. Strangely, Nina thanked him for bringing her to 
her senses, but she still wanted him to drop the column. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. This is a week of consolidation
and routine. Nothing about life this week whether in your career or 
domestic circumstances will cause any surprise or upset. This 
accustomed routine will cause your mood to lift over the week. 

“That is the third week that you have submitted the same horoscope.”
Derek closed the paper and placed it on the damp table the three of 
them shared in the back bar of the White Hart. “You losing your bottle 
on this?” 

“Don't you encourage him!” Kim slammed her pint of lager onto the table,
amber liquid splashed over the rim and seeped into the newsprint. “He's 
done enough damage, just leave it alone.” 

“But I can't keep writing the same horoscope. We have to find another
solution.” Terry looked across to Derek & Kim expectantly. 

“Well, you could retire Madame Gerome and get a new Astrologer.” Kim
said uncertainly. 

“It's worth a try. I suppose.” Terry lifted his glass “Colleagues,
Madame Gerome has left us. Here is to our new Astrologer, The Amazing 
Gustav Pomtempkin!” 

“Gustav Pomtempkin?” they replied in unison. For some reason, they
forgot to raise their glasses. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. A much-anticipated event will
exceed all expectations and improve your standing with friends or 
colleagues. There will be a chance encounter with an old and dear 
friend who will prove to have been closer than you realised. 

“There's another letter” Kim cornered Terry as he climbed up the stairs.


“Oh” Terry struggled to get his arms out of his sodden raincoat “Is it
in my office?” 

Kim nodded. Terry squelched his way towards his desk with a feeling of
dread. 

“It would seem that our Gustav has not solved the problem.” Terry looked
up at the expectant Kim. 

“Nah, I reckon that it's you. You have been touched with the Mark and
have now entered the Twighlight Zone!.” Derek had appeared in the 
office. 

“It seems that this weekend was the weekend of the Robbie Williams
concert.” Terry ignored him and summarised the letter “A great time was 
had by all and mark you, when young Nina was standing in line for the 
ladies she met up with an old school friend who lives not ten miles 
away.” 

“That's nice” Kim commented absently. 

“It's not NICE!” Terry actually spoke the word in capitals “She is angry
with me for sacking Madame Gerome, but because I have thinks it's a 
good time for me to drop the whole Astrology column.” 

“Actually, there is another letter. For Madame Gerome.” Kim produced
another familiar blue envelope. “She apologises for getting her the 
sack and has written a glowing reference over her powers of 
prediction.” 

Terry buried his head in his hands. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. An article that seems to have
organised your life will cease to be a reliable guide. You will find 
that this is a week of constant surprise and questioning. Financial 
matters are well featured and it is a good time to review your 
finances. 

“Well, what do you think?” Terry watched Kim & Derek over the rim of his
pint glass. 

“Clever.” Derek nodded his approval “Don't know why you didn't think of
it before.” 

“I don't know, it's a bit sneaky.” Kim was less convinced. “I don't
think you can trick the Fates like this, you might create a paradox.” 

The two men looked at her and then at each other and returned to their
pints rather than risk an explanation. 

That week, there was no letter nor was there a ‘phone call. In Terry's
eyes, that meant his plan had been a success and he could resume normal 
service. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. Romantic matters are well starred
and a confrontation will result in romance. A matter that has been 
causing you problems for some time needs to be dealt with or the 
situation may get out of hand. 

Arriving a little late to the office, Terry was met by Kim. Derek lurked
in the background, a huge grin spread across his face. 

“Nina Kingsman is in your office. You can't say I didn't warn you. Don't
you listen to a word I say?” 

Terry ignored her and headed for his office. 

“Hello Ms Kingsman, I'm Terry Blyth, the editor. What can I do for you?”


Terry offered his hand. Nina shook it with a cool, firm grip. 

“I would like to discuss what you are going to do about your Astrology
column.” Nina's tuneful voice was calm and composed. “This has been 
going on far too long and it's obvious that my letters and ‘phone calls 
are having no effect whatsoever.” 

“I see. It is really very unfortunate, but you must realise that this is
all a series of co-incidences?” Terry maintained contact with Nina's 
glinting green eyes “Astrology is just a bit of fun after all, hardly 
an exact science.” 

“I wonder if your Astrologer would agree with that? Perhaps Gustav
Pomtempkin, if that is his real name could join us?” 

Terry was distracted by some giggles from just outside his office door
where Kim and Derek were busily sorting through some old files. 

“Ms Kingsman. Errr, look I didn't manage any breakfast. Could we
continue this conversation over a cup of coffee? I think the papers 
budget might even stretch to a little something to eat.” 

The two of them walked down the street. In silence until they turned
into the park, heading for the small café on the side of the lake. 

“The thing is Ms Kingsman” Terry began. 

“Please, call me Nina.” She gave Terry a broad smile that caused her
green eyes to shine. 

“The thing is Nina, that not everything we predicted has happened. Take
last week for instance.” 

“Last week, Mr Blyth” 

“Terry, please call me Terry.” 

“Terry, last week was a disaster. Thanks to your prediction, I didn't
have any time to complain. My electronic organiser got scrambled. I 
spent every waking hour recovering it. Diary, address book, bank 
records everything had to be recovered. Last weeks prediction was the 
worst of the lot. Even worse than the pigs in my kitchen!” 

“Oh, I thought that if I predicted that....” 

“You!” There was fire in the green eyes. 

It was unfortunate that Terry had not been able to prepare Nina for the
news that he wrote the predictions. It was even more unfortunate that 
they were stood on the bridge over the lake at the time. Nina reacted 
instinctively and pushed Terry. Terry stumbled sideways a couple of 
steps before toppling over the rail and into the lake. 

As the water closed over him, Terry panicked. Unable to swim and with a
fear of water, he thrashed about in the water, swallowing huge 
mouthfuls. It was truly good luck that a young paperboy returning from 
a late delivery quickly assessed the situation. With speed and grace he 
ploughed through the water and with great assurance turned Terry onto 
his back and hauled him back to the shore. 

Terry lay on the bank, coughing, spluttering and shivering. Nina knelt
over him. 

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Oh please forgive me.” Nina was
distraught. 

“Don't tell me.” Terry coughed “You told this young man to take a
lifesavers class.” 

Nina looked at the paperboy and back to Terry then nodded. 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. . This week marks the start of an
alignment of Pluto with the moon that brings about a change with 
regarding your health. There is no better time than this to start a new 
fitness regime or to consider your eating habits. 

“Problem solved. Here is to Psychic Sue!” Terry raised a glass in
salute. 

“Can we really afford to employ someone to write the Astrology column?”
Kim looked at the beaming Editor. 

“If we can, then perhaps it is time for me to talk to you about a pay
rise.” Derek sought to take advantage of the recent good humour of his 
boss. 

“Nope! Our new Astrologer writes the Column purely for her own pleasure.
It's an arrangement that makes everyone happy. Who would like another 
drink?” 

Kim looked at Derek “I hate it when he has these little secrets.” 

VIRGO : August 23rd – September 22nd. : Your relationship with a person
of letters will always be secure, happy, fulfilling and mutually 
beneficial. There is going to be a wedding which will be full of 
fairytale romance and bliss. 

Nina read the paper while snuggling up to Terry on the sofa. 

“This isn't what I wrote!” 

“No, it's not.” Terry agreed “I wrote it.” 

Terry got off the sofa and went down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” 


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