Page 26 of The Gingerbread Cafe
‘No.’ Gretel pouted. Damn, that girl was good.
‘Because, newsflash, I’m nobody’s first choice of bestie. I have pretty much no mates at … work.’ Amber fiddled with her chocolate bar. ‘Maybe you’ve got to trust that if you be yourself, you’ll find your people. And the rest can just piss off.’
Did Gretel sense a certain bitterness in Amber’s last sentence? But she couldn’t help her burst of laughter. ‘That’s one way of looking at it. But I’m still not sure …’
‘So let’s ask people,’ said Amber, decisively biting the head off a Freddo. ‘Like market research or whatever. Who says business is just for grown-ups who watchDragons’ Den?’ she mumbled through a mouthful of kids’ confectionery. ‘Here, let’s speak to some shop owners and see what they reckon. They might even agree to put a flyer up for you if you get off your arse and make some.’
And with that, Amber marched towards a quirky little shop called Phoebe’s Chakra Healing before Gretel had the chance to argue that she absolutely didn’t want her bits and bobs healed.
Chapter 23
What exactly were chakras? And why did they smell so funny?
As Gretel and Amber piled into Phoebe’s Chakra Healing, the first thing that hit Gretel was the aroma. It was a kind of smoky, spicy smell that was actually quite soothing. That was until Gretel hit her head on the windchime that was hanging near the door and the clattering made the shop lady jump out of her skin.
‘Shit! I mean,namaste.Welcome, gorgeous souls.’ The woman scrambled up from her cross-legged position on the floor and put the orange crystal she’d been cradling back onto a shelf. It reclaimed its spot with a collection of similarly orange crystals, on a wall that looked like a rainbow of gemstones arranged in colour order on their own special shelves. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t expecting anyone.’
‘In a shop?’ asked Amber.
‘It’s always so quiet.’ Did the woman’s smile look strained? Maybe meditation wasn’t so calming after all. ‘I was clearing my chakras to attract abundance.’ She took a deep breath and tried a more natural smile. ‘And here you are! I had a feeling the universe would send you my way soon enough. Isn’t that strange?’ She gave Gretel an extra-long look which she didn’t understand. ‘I’m Phoebe. It’s lovely to meet you.’
Phoebe must have been in her late twenties with long golden-brown hair that looked unkempt in a free-spirited way, floatyboho clothes and bare feet. A whole lot of crystal jewellery and bangles twisted themselves around her arms as though she needed to be anchored.
‘You’re clearing yourwhat?’ asked Amber, once the introductions were done. ‘Seriously, I’ve got zero clue what a chakra even is, so give me the tea.’
Gretel knew this had nothing to do with getting a relaxing cuppa – Amber was ready for the lowdown. Phoebe guided her to a poster on the wall which showed a person in a cross-legged sitting-down pose that Phoebe called the lotus position. A rainbow of coloured dots was arranged along the figure’s spine, from their red root up to their purple crown.
‘These are the seven main energy centres in your subtle body,’ Phoebe was explaining. ‘Even though they’re in a different realm to your physical body, each corresponds to a major bundle of nerves or organs inside you. It’s important to keep them clear, balanced and spinning happily for your physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.’
Amber pulled a confused face. ‘So chakras don’t exist?’
‘I don’t think Amber has asubtle body,’ Gretel muttered apologetically.
Phoebe pasted her smile back on and tried again. ‘You know sometimes when you feel a bit crap and maybe you’re not even sure why? Like something’s just …off?’
‘Totally.’ Amber nodded, hoicking up one of her over-the-knee socks.
‘Then your chakras probably need a good MOT. They need harmony for energy to flow.’ Phoebe looked at Amber with her eyes half closed as though trying to see something hidden. Then she moved Amber towards the display called Tumbled Stones, where smaller versions of the larger gems seemed to live. She pulled out a small, shiny, dark blue stone flecked with grey and pressed it into Amber’s palm. ‘Lapis lazuli. Carry it with you tohelp balance your over-active throat chakra, girlfriend, for the sake of yourself and all others. This one’s on me.’
Gretel held her breath. Had Phoebe just called Amber a big mouth? But for the first time she could remember, Amber actually looked touched. She ran a gentle finger over the stone.
‘For inner awareness and wisdom,’ Amber read from the sign on the display.
‘To keep your runaway mouth in check.’ Phoebe smiled with a floaty innocence that was surprisingly endearing. ‘You givehashtag no filtera whole different meaning.’
And she’s met her match, thought Gretel, as Amber gave a firm nod in appreciation of Phoebe’s honesty.
As Amber wasgettingthe teaon her new lapis lazuli, Gretel took the opportunity to explore the shop. It was full of fascinating things she’d never heard of, from herby-smelling bundles of sage which you could burn to cleanse energy – whatever that meant – to Tibetan singing bowls which you could apparently use to make a ringing sound during meditation. If she’d been braver, she might have ventured inside before, but it always looked so mysterious from out on the street, and the thick net drapes stopped people from seeing the wonders within.
‘Anyway, girls, this is cute,’ Gretel heard Amber pipe up, with a clap of her hands. ‘But we’re here on business. My friend Gretel here is in charge of The Gingerbread Café, and she has a plan.’
Whilst Gretel was busy trying not to blush that Amber had just called her afriend, Amber explained to Phoebe about the proposed crafting sessions in the café. And before Gretel could stop her, Amber and her cheeky throat chakra were letting slip their worries about Francesca Whimple.
‘She’ll be gobbling up the café like a Christmas turkey and turning it into something soulless if we don’t drum up some trade. Just saying.’
‘I love the idea of stained-glass crafting sessions,’ said Phoebe. ‘Crafting is so mindful.’
‘Though I guess you’re already good at being zen,’ Amber replied.
