Page 15 of Playing With Matches
“Yes, he was so impressed with you, and so are we. What can I say? I’m hooked on your series, Isla! The books are so juicy. I’m so excited that you’re actually here, in the flesh! And I know that Rob, the executive producer and creator of this project, also can’t wait to meet you.”
Rory stands and waves to someone she has spied coming down the corridor. “Oh cool. Here’s Rob now,” she points to the man gliding towards us.
Rob is medium height and reasonably fit. He’s wearing a simple white cotton shirt and loose-fitting, natural linen trousers. I can’t help noticing he’s wearing a Baltic amber bracelet and a simple, but tasteful, yin/yang necklace. He has the gait of someone who practices yoga, a sort of purposeful and perfectly balanced heel-to-toe stride. Lastly, I note the eco-friendly gym shoes he is wearing. I just read an article about how the company that makes them donates two pairs to charity for every pair sold.
“We’ll have to chat more later. I’ve got a million questions for you!” Rory pats my arm and takes off just as Rob stops in front of me.
He’s really not at all what I expected. First of all, I was not expecting Rob to be a fellow ginger. He could be my cousin with his strawberry-tinged hair and freckled complexion. Secondly, he exudes a zen sort of calm. I’m instantly put at ease by his warm smile.
“Isla!” Rob steeples his hands before inclining his head at me. “Woman of the hour! Namaste. Welcome. We are so honored to have someone as sensitive and special as you here in our offices.”
He is practically crackling with warmth and excitement. I can’t help but respond to his positive energy.
I stand to shake his hand, but he doesn’t offer his. Instead he stops in his tracks, grinning at me as he takes me in.
“Thank you for inviting me to be on the show,” I bounce on my heels and shove my hands in my pockets to still them.
“We are honored to have you here.” Rob stands and grins at me for another moment before speaking again. “It’s such a lovely day; it would be a shame to stay indoors for our meeting. Why don’t we head out to the garden to chat?” he suggests, gesturing towards the double glass doors at the end of the hallway.
As I follow him down the hallway and out onto the patio, I cannot help but notice the way he is breathing. Slowly, deeply. Intentionally. He pauses in front of the doors, taking a deeper breath in, followed by a long, slow exhale that feels anticipatory.
“You’re in for a treat, Isla. It’s such a special space we’ve created out here. I like to take a moment to release all negativity and set my intentions before I go out. And I like to leave my shoes indoors. The meditation garden is paved with imported pea gravel that has a very high crystal content. It’s incredibly grounding. You’re welcome to leave your shoes on, of course. But I also invite you to take them off, if you’d like to indulge in a little earthing with me.”
“Of course,” I kick off my sandals, excited at the prospect. “I’ve never earthed in crystal gravel before, but I am certainly game!”
“No time like the present,” Rob affirms. He pushes open the door and reaches back a hand to pull me through. “Welcome to the Peace Garden!”
Being British, I expect my gardens to have roses and vine-covered arbors. At the very least, I expect plants. But there are no plants in this garden. The only source of the color green is the oxidation on the copper infinity fountain that lines one wall of the small courtyard.
The other three walls are covered in sculptures made from twisted steel. At the center of the space, two large bench-height slabs of weathered marble flank a large bronze gong. It’s an entirely urban space. One that feels man-made instead of natural. Yet, despite the lack of plants, I have to agree that Rob’s garden is a lovely place to sit and reflect quietly. The sound of the water is soothing, and the sun feels just lovely on my shoulders.
“Mind if I sit?” I gesture at the marble slab.
“Not at all, make yourself comfortable,” Rob waves at the bench. “The slabs are optimally placed to enjoy the benefits of a cleansing sound bath when the gong is struck. Wait for it….”
Rob lifts a wooden mallet and strikes the gong. The entire space immediately fills with the low, resonant hum. It fills my chest. Rob settles himself cross-legged on the opposite slab with his palms up in mudra gesture, eyes closed.
“The gong is tuned to the heart chakra. A nice ritual to start our meeting, don’t you think?” Rob peeks at me through one eye. “These soundwaves fill me with so much gratitude. I’m grateful you took the time to come here today, Isla.”
“I’m glad to be here, too,” I say, meaning it. For the first time since my agent mentioned the opportunity to me, I feel like this might be a good thing. A great thing even.
“Again?” Rob motions to the gong and I nod my acquiescence.
Rob hits the gong again and we both stretch out prone on our stones, letting the good vibrations wash over us. I close my eyes and open my heart, receiving the sound until it finally fades fully and vanishes.
“There,” Rob says, sitting up. I follow suit. “Now I feel ready to talk. Although I have to say that the azure light you are emanating is extremely distracting. I don’t think I’ve ever actually met someone with such a blue aura. Have you always had it?”
I feel myself blushing. It’s not the first time I’ve been told my aura is indigo or blue . And I know it’s unusual.
“It comes with the psychic stuff,” I say. “Most people don’t see it.”
Most people don’t seeorbelieve in auras. I’m surprised to learn Rob does both. I’m not getting any stray reads on what he may be thinking, but that’s no surprise. If he’s like me, he would have learned how to protect his own thoughts years ago. People who live in neighborhoods with glass houses learn to put up blinds.
“If I needed actual proof that you come by your gifts as naturally as your title character,” Rob looks around and gestures to the empty space around me. “Here it is.”
“Did you need proof?” I ask, curious. “I was under the impression you wanted me because of the matchmaker character in my books, not because you thought I was a psychic.”
“Well, yes, but I had my suspicions. My family line traces back to the same part of the UK as yours and I’ve heard some of the local legends about the Fairfax curse,” Rob admits. “ Your series inspired me to dig in a little deeper. Fascinating stories. But honestly, the reason your books are so believable isbecauseyou’re the real deal, Isla.”
