Chapter 59
FIFTY-NINE
ALICE
The memories came rushing back to Alice, as they always did when she entered Sefton Park.
If she closed her eyes she could see herself and George on the lake, him rowing and her sitting back doing her best to look glamorous, wafting a fan in front of her on a hot day. Poor George doing all that work, she thought to herself with a smile on her face.
The park was busy with joggers, dog walkers and couples strolling along enjoying the autumn sunshine. The only children in the park today were toddlers, or babies fastened into prams as older children would have been in school.
They strolled along the Victorian park, enjoying the serpentine paths and open lawns. They passed a fountain on a lake and Mark asked Alice if she wanted to sit down on a bench nearby.
‘I’ll tell you what, let’s make it to the café and I will treat you to an ice cream,’ said Alice good-naturedly.
‘If you’re sure, then let’s do it,’ said Mark.
Taking a seat at the café, Alice felt the muscles in her legs ache, even though they had only been walking for around fifteen minutes.
It was another reminder that Alice was old in years, but she didn’t dwell on it.
Every day was a gift, and today she was pleased to be in her favourite place with good company.
‘I can see why you love this park,’ said Mark as he tucked into a tub of vanilla ice cream. Alice opted for her ice cream in a cone.
‘I remember coming here with Di, but only once or twice as I recall,’ he told her. ‘I remember going for a bite to eat on Lark Lane. I believe it’s changed a bit now,’ he said as he scraped the last of his ice cream from the tub with a wooden spoon.
‘Oh, it has,’ said Alice. ‘Very fashionable these days. It was once the hang-out for artists and writers, with a much more Bohemian vibe.’
She had partied there once in an apartment above one of the shops and stayed until the dawn had broken the next morning.
After their ice creams, they slowly made their way to the Palm House.
The iron and glass architecture of the domed building took Alice’s breath away every time she saw it, its appearance always reminding her of a large white birdcage.
Today there were no events taking place, as they frequently did, so they were free to wander around and enjoy the lush vibrant plants with their scented foliage. It always felt to her like stepping into a tropical oasis in the heart of the city.
Alice had thoroughly enjoyed her time in the park but turned down Mark’s invitation for a bite to eat on Lark Lane as she felt a little worn out.
‘I hope you don’t mind, Mark,’ she said as they headed back towards the car park.
‘Of course I don’t,’ Mark told her. ‘Whatever you want, it’s your day today.’
‘Thank you, Mark. Although if you have no other plans, perhaps I can make us a sandwich and a cup of tea when we get home?’ she offered.
‘Of course, Alice, that would be lovely.’ He smiled.
It was yet another reminder of how fortunate she was to be back at Wisteria House.