The Future's Not Ours To See

Cassie, a first-year chemistry student at Brighton University, is dealing with a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Tom, who is inconsiderate and immature and has been caught with fellow student Amelia Frost, exiting the bathroom at Cassie's housewarming party. Cassie's life is further complicated by frequent, mysterious déjà vu episodes, including hearing babies' cries that began when she moved to Brighton. As well as dealing with this, she is put asunder by her mother's cold and manipulative nature, which she fears she will inherit. An arthritic hip, which she has lived with for most of her life, compounds her frequent outbursts and has contributed to her bitterness and anger at the world. Some heated words with her friend and housemate, Dohna, a student of humanistic counselling, about her behaviour causes Cassie to storm off to bed, where, after drinking heavily, she suffers a nightmare about not having a baby. The morning after the party, and still quite dishevelled, she takes a walk down to the seafront, where she gets talking to a fortune-teller, Madam Savannah, who wears traditional fortune-telling garb featuring a large, cheap-looking ring with a large chip taken out of it. A disbelieving and sceptical Cassie agrees, with the lure of some gin, to enter the fortune-teller's kiosk, where the older woman gives some home truths and advice. Impressed with Madam Savanah's personality and candid approach, if not her fortune-telling skills, Cassie vows to visit again the following day. On her return home, Cassie reveals to a surprised Dohna, whom she met and reveals how someone with a usually scientific mind, both respected and enjoyed the company of someone closer to Dohna's sensibilities. So enamoured with Madam Savannah, Cassie can't wait for her return visit. On her second visit, Madam Savannah reveals more about Cassie's past and more about herself, including a failed relationship and a miscarriage. Madam Savannah also advises her on love, friendship, and self-awareness. Cassie takes on board what she was told and vows to change her outlook on life. Madam Savannah also advises Cassie to have more fun in her life. 'Have a gamble,' she says. They enjoy some more gin with each other, and again, Cassie says she'll return soon. When arriving back home, Cassie happens to spy Amelia Frost walking up her road, whom she immediately and angrily confronts over the happenings of the party two nights earlier. Cassie learns that Amelia rejected Tom, highlighting his deceitful nature. Tom even offered her a 'relationship ring,' which Amelia immediately refused. At home, Dohna is preparing a Sunday roast. In the kitchen, Cassie happily reveals the details of the conversation with Madam Savannah and how it made her see things differently. Cassie vows to change her outlook on life and be more considerate of others, especially Dohna, becoming a 'new' Cassie. She then reveals, out of the blue, that she has invited Tom over for a chat. Dohna is disappointed in her. However, it is a ruse, and when a blasé Tom turns up, Cassie tricks him into revealing some embarrassing secrets about his past. Cassie pretends to be sympathetic and agrees to take Tom back. He is pleased and offers her the same ring he offered Amelia 48 hours earlier. She takes it. Cassie records the conversation on her mobile phone with an idea to use the evidence in a potential blackmail angle in the future. When Tom leaves, Cassie reveals her subterfuge to Dohna, who is initially pleased but soon explains to Cassie that this is indicative of the 'old' Cassie. Cassie, grateful for her friend's care, agrees that she is right. Before lunch is ready, Cassie suffers another premonition, which she believes has something to do with her mother. She calls her, and she casually reveals to her daughter that she is kicking her Dad out, effectively because she has grown tired of him. An angry Cassie tells her that she never wants to become like her mother, a feeling that underlines her desire to become a better human being. The next day, Cassie walks down to the seafront yet again to visit Madam Savannah, but is shocked to see her kiosk is boarded up and derelict. The adjacent ice cream salesman explains to a confused Cassie that Madam Savannah moved away years ago. He also reveals that he knew her as Sandy, short for Cassandra. Cassie is also short for Cassandra. Cassie walks away in disbelief. She has a thought that the whole scenario was an elaborate set-up by Dohna with the purpose of making Cassie change her ways. She vows to get even with her housemate until she hears a voice in her mind. The voice is Madam Savannah, repeating a line of advice she previously offered Cassie – Have a gamble. To her side is an amusement arcade, which Cassie is immediately drawn into. Cassie, not a natural gambler with a handful of coins, drops them into a machine. With her last coin, she wins a box wrapped in a five-pound note. Outside, sitting on a wooden bench, Cassie opens the box and immediately recognises the ring. It is the same as the one Madam Savannah had on her finger. Clumsily, she drops it, and the contact with the concrete ground takes a chip out of the stone, the same as Madam Savannah's. It is then that Cassie realises what the last few days have been about and who exactly Madam Savannah is. The fortune teller is seemingly herself in an alternate life, sent as a warning to avoid becoming closed and cynical like her mother. Embracing this new perspective, Cassie becomes more compassionate and open-minded. Three months later, Cassie is content, expecting a baby. Six months later, Cassie sits on the wooden bench. Looking out to sea. A baby cries. Beside her in a pram is her daughter, named Sandy. Cassie is finally at peace with herself. Her encounter with Madam Savannah remains a turning point, leading to personal growth and a renewed understanding of her life's direction. Joining her are her two best friends, Dohna and Amelia Frost.