The Winterlings by Cristina Sánchez-Andrade Page B

trees, and new blossoms.’
    Meis’ Widow gave a nervous giggle.
    â€˜Hold on!’ Rosendo soothed her, grabbing her by the arm. ‘Wait and see what the old lady says …’
    Violeta da Cuqueira clicked her tongue.
    â€˜I see children, but I can’t say how many,’ she continued.
    â€˜Are you sure? It’s just that this is my second marriage, and I’m not that young anymore.’
    â€˜I’m sure,’ pronounced Violeta.
    Meis’ Widow embraced her husband and began to cry.
    Uncle Rosendo clearly didn’t believe this business about children.
    â€˜And do you see any mishaps or misfortune? Tell us the truth, Violeta. We’re prepared for anything. Will I pass my exam to requalify as a teacher?’
    Everyone in the village knew that recently, the Governor had declared that all teachers in the area still employed in country schools had to go to Coruña to have their qualifications recertified. Uncle Rosendo had begun studying — with real books, as he told everyone — and soon the school would be closed so that the teacher could fully dedicate himself to preparing for the exam.
    Violeta shifted in her seat. A trace of a sneer came across her face.
    â€˜A plague … of butterflies, or maybe moths, that will devastate Tierra de Chá will ruin your orchard. However, this too shall pass, and the sap of the trees will double in strength.’
    After paying the old lady her fee, which was neither a little nor a lot, the Widow and Uncle Rosendo strode off, and nobody could tell if they were happy or sad because they were arguing so much.
    The Winterlings, who had watched the whole scene unfold, approached stealthily. They also wanted to know about their future, about their new life in the village, but they didn’t dare ask.
    Violeta da Cuqueira let them prowl around without saying a word. After a long while, when she realised they’d never summon the courage to ask, she said:
    â€˜You two hold a secret that crushes you like a boa constrictor, something dark … I can read it in the wrinkles around your eyes.’
    The Winterlings gave a start.
    â€˜Oh, no!’ said Saladina at once, looking around wildly, fearing that someone else might have heard. ‘We don’t have any secrets. We’re as clear as water.’
    â€˜We all have secrets,’ said the clairvoyant. She lifted her gaze and stared at Saladina. ‘What’s more, you … you are going to fall in love.’
    Saladina went as red as a beet.
    â€˜Saladina, in love?’ said Dolores, bursting into laughter. ‘But she hasn’t had a single sweetheart her whole life!’
    â€˜And how would you know?’ interrupted her sister, elbowing her. ‘Let the lady speak!’
    â€˜I won’t say another word about it, I’m sick of gossip,’ said the clairvoyant, and, raising a crooked finger, she pointed to Dolores. ‘I’ll only say that your dream will come true.’
    â€˜My dream?’ asked Dolores.
    â€˜It has something to do with …’ Violeta closed her eyes. For a few seconds, she searched through the depths of her mind. ‘It has something to do with show business. Are you a dancer?’
    Now it was Saladina’s turn to burst out laughing.
    Dolores told her no, she wasn’t a dancer.
    â€˜Are you an actress?’
    Dolores felt her blood run cold.
    â€˜Yes, I am … well, no … but I love movies. We both love them, that’s for sure!’
    â€˜Well, that must be it. Your dream has something to do with the movies.’
    Violeta da Cuqueira wouldn’t say a word more. She also refused to charge them, despite the fact that the sisters already had their purses out, delighted by what they had heard. The old lady got up, wrapped herself in her cape, and stalked off.
    The Winterlings watched her disappear through the lemonade stands and the strings of donuts, melding into the throngs of