The gang have left for Madame Laurie's residence. On the trip Miranda had been messing with the radio stations, Peggy trying to give Declan directions with the assistance of the map, and poor Declan trying to find his way around while listening to the station hopping and Peggy's orders. Everyone was a bit frustrated, maybe because they were all cramped in the front of Declan's truck...

"Turn left here Declan," Peggy announced suddenly, almost too late for him to make the turn. "Maybe you should tell me with a little more notice Peg," he suggested. "Well I lost my place on the map Declan," she replied, trying to keep her cool. "Uh huh," was all he could say, he really didn't want to start an argument.

A song came on the radio that he liked, just as he began humming the tune; Miranda switched stations. "Arrggh," he made a sound. "Miranda I like that song!" "Well I don't Declan," she replied truthfully. "Come on!" he exclaimed. "It's my truck," he tried to reason. "But I'm here also. I have to like the music too," she wanted to see how far she could push him. "But I," he started but Peggy finished, "Don't start you two," she chastised. "Maybe we should just turn the radio off so we can concentrate on where we are going." They both grumbled. "Well we don't want to get lost!" Declan only leaned forward and squinted at the road ahead. Miranda looked out her window silently.

Suddenly, "Turn RIGHT!" "PEGGY!" Declan screeched, as he turned the vehicle right, sharply.

"This is fun," Miranda commented dryly, Declan and Peggy looked at her. "Well Miranda you didn't have to come.." Peggy wouldn't let him finish, "Quiet!" They both silenced and looked glum. Miranda turned to look out her window again and Declan leaned forward over the steering wheel.

Peggy really wished that her car wasn't in the garage.

The rest of the trip was in silence, apart from Peggy's occasional voiced directions, and everyone seemed uncomfortable.

"Here it is!" Peggy almost shouted. She was glad that they would all be able to get some space. As Declan pulled into the long gravel drive and headed toward the house, he whistled. Miranda leant forward. "Wow," she breathed. "It's a lot bigger than I expected." "It's not as much of a house as it is a Mansion," Declan added, also surprised at the residence. "It looks like Colonial style," Peggy remarked. "She really must be bringing in a lot of business." Declan and Peggy agreed with Miranda. This Madame Laurie sure did seem to be doing well for herself.

They finally reached the house and the car stopped. They all scrambled out of the truck as quickly as possible. When they noticed what had just happened, they couldn't help but laughing. "We must make a note of not doing this too often," Declan suggested. "I agree," said Peggy, they both looked to Miranda. "I second that motion," she added looking at Declan.

As the three of them walked up to the door, they all reached to knock at the same time. "Whoa," Declan said, backing up. Peggy laughed. "After you Declan," Peggy said. "Yeah, after all it was your idea," Miranda added curtly. "Yeah, well that's more like it," he answered, straightening up with pride.

Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open. There was no one there. They all looked at each other, then back to the door. Declan stuck his head inside, "Hello!" he called. "That's original," Miranda commented shifting from one foot to the other. Peggy sighed.

No one came to the door to greet them.

"I suppose we should just go in then," Miranda said, but Declan had already gone inside and was calling out 'Hello' repeatedly. Both girls looked at each other and shrugged. They followed Declan around the house. Miranda and Declan both looked at ease trespassing on this woman's property, like they did it all the time, but Peggy was slightly more hesitant and was goose-stepping around.

"Maybe we shouldn't be in here Declan," she whispered trying to reason with him. "It's fine Peg," he said at normal volume. "The door blow open for a reason," he added, speaking in a mysterious voice. Miranda stopped and turned to face Peggy. "There's always a reason Peg," she told her friend smiling evilly, after all she had known Declan for longer than her.

They all entered what seemed to be the living room. Declan started lifting up pictures and observing them, while Miranda decided to start calling out for someone. Peggy stood at Declan's side. "I really don't think you should be doing that," she cautioned. He ignored her. "Oh look Peg," he said pointing to a woman in the picture. She had a Labrador next to her; she was also wearing sunglasses. "This must be her, an old picture though," he concluded. Peggy went to answer him, but heard Miranda let out a startled yelp. Declan must of heard too, because he turned to see Miranda standing next to a black haired woman in her late twenties.

Miranda looked embarrassed.

Before any of them could say something, the mysterious woman spoke up. "Welcome to my house. Are you all here for a reading?" "Uh," Miranda stuttered and looked to Declan desperately. He didn't say anything he just stood there, squinting. "I am so sorry that we are in here," Peggy started to apologize. The woman raised her hand to silence her. "Please. Don't apologize, I'm actually quite used to it."

The three friends stared at each other.

Declan spoke up, "So are you Madame Laurie?" "Yes," she replied, "You seem surprised?" "Well uh it's just that, we were expecting," "Someone a lot older?" Madame Laurie finished. "Well yeah actually," Declan said surprised, "How did you know?" "I get that a lot too," Madame Laurie said, a smile spreading across her lips.

Declan couldn't help notice that this woman was actually quite attractive with dark black hair just past her shoulders, and a flawless creamy complexion. She was only about an inch shorter than Miranda. Miranda noticed him sussing out this Madame Laurie, "Declan," she whispered harshly, chastising him. "What?" he said.

Peggy and Miranda both shook their heads.

"Please come this way," Madame Laurie indicated towards the hallway. "Just follow me," she added. "Don't you want to know why we are here first?" Miranda was curious, the woman stopped. Peggy and Declan were huddled together, whispering to each other. 'I wonder what that's about?' Miranda thought, looking to them. "I have a feeling I know why," Madame Laurie said in answer to the question. This got Declan's attention, and his head snapped up. "Well that's good!" he said to his two friends. "That's always good right?" "Right," Miranda said as Peggy just shook her head. Madame Laurie didn't seem at all worried about these comments; she just started walking down the hallway. The others followed.

All of them were led into a darkened room, where the only light, was that emitted from dozens of candles that were scattered about. The aroma of incense was almost intoxicating. In the middle of the room there was a large oak table, where there were tarot cards and a crystal ball right in the middle.

Peggy noticed a Labrador (most likely the one that was in that photo) snoozing in the corner of the room, he looked quite comfy too.

"Ohh," she exclaimed in a cutesy voice. "What's your dogs name?" As Madame Laurie went to sit behind the centre table she replied, "Her name is Goldie, please take a seat." They all promptly found a seat and sat down, there was something about the way Madame Laurie had said it that made them all obey quickly.

"Would you like anything to eat or drink?" she offered. Miranda started coughing. The incense was really tickling her throat. "Uh...may I have a drink of water?" she inquired politely, slightly choking on her own words. "Sure, there is a jug of water over there, with some glasses," she replied, indicating to a coffee table in the corner of the room.

Miranda quickly jumped at the opportunity to pour herself a nice refreshing drink. As she was doing just that, "Uh that wasn't there before was it?" Declan seemed confused and looked about the room. "Peg," he nudged his friend in the arm. "Declan," she replied harshly looking toward Madame Laurie. "What?" he exclaimed, slightly hurt. "That wasn't there before Peg," he said nodding his head at the table. "Don't be silly Declan, you must of just not noticed it," came her stern and very sensible answer. "Hmmm," was all he said in turn.

"Hey where's the dog?" Miranda sat and started gulping her water down, this was actually her second helping. Madame Laurie looked up from the table at this point. "Who shall I do a reading for?" That was a sensible question after all.

"Uh well," Miranda looked to Declan, so did Peggy. "First, if you don't mind, how much does this cost?" Peggy asked. This was what she and Declan were discussing earlier. They could be up for a fortune. I mean how else would Madame Laurie be able to afford such a house at her age. "Very well," she answered. "For a tarot reading, the cost is $40-, if you would like me to use the crystal ball also, it is an extra $5." No wonder this lady was rich, but she must have to be really good..

Declan whistled. As he looked through his wallet, he noticed that all he had was a $20. He looked desperately to Miranda and Peggy. "Don't look at me Declan, this was your idea," Miranda replied hastily. "Uh Peg," he pleaded, looking at his friend with puppy dog eyes. You would almost expect him to start going, 'Please oh please oh please' but thankfully for the sake of humanity he did not.

"Do you have the money?" Madame Laurie asked with slight impatience. "Yes of course," Peggy replied in attempt to save Declan from further embarrassment. She handed him $25- and whispered "You owe me."