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"Do you mind if I sit down and share your table?"

Laura was standing with a cappuccino in one hand, balancing a plate with a piece of carrot cake and her bag in the other. It was not quite lunchtime and already she was feeling a little nervous. She was early for an appointment and hoped a quick coffee and something to eat would take her mind off things.

"So you think my table's a safe haven, do you? Or do you just want to see into your future," came the reply.

"What? Sorry. I mean if you're....., I don't mean to interrupt or... " Laura hesitated, unsure what to say. She was suddenly un-nerved by such a strange response and stared closely at him.

"Please, my dear, you are most welcome to sit at my table. It is just my way. You should sit you know." The man smiled up at her. It was a most disarming and yet at the same time welcoming smile which made his whole face light up; especially his eyes. Laura was drawn to his eyes. Dark eyes, blue and deep, yet so bright and twinkling. He had a slightly dishevelled appearance and was wearing quite worn, non-descript clothes, almost bordering on the scruffy. She thought he seemed a little mysterious too.

Laura smiled a little nervously, sat down and looked around her. It was such a lovely sunny day. Not too hot and with a slight breeze. She liked this cafe because there were tables in the shade of overhanging trees and on sunny days it was nice to sit and watch the world go by; watch all the people scurrying past going about their daily business. Laura often wondered where they had come from and where they were going; what they were thinking; what their lives were like.

"I like to sit and watch people too," continued the stranger, as if reading her thoughts. "I can see their thoughts as they go past. Read their futures. See that smartly dressed lady. There, the one with the large carrier bag. There's a new man in her life. She's just bought a new dress, dark blue, but she's not sure about the shoes. She'll take them back tomorrow."

Laura stopped drinking her cappuccino and put her mug down. Some of the froth had stuck to her lips. She turned to look at the man, but his eyes did not meet hers, he was still staring intently down the street. She opened her mouth to say something, and then closed it again, unsure what exactly to say. She cut her cake into three with her fork and ate a small piece and glanced at her watch.

"Don't worry, you have plenty of time, and your appointments not till two."

Laura's fork clattered

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