Epilogue
‘Are you sure you have never been salsa dancing before?’
‘I swear,’ replied Mark as he passed some garlic bread to Declan. ‘I guess I must just be a natural.’
The friends were in Alice’s old apartment enjoying a late lunch and raising a glass to Alice.
Mark and Carol had been dancing at the community centre the previous evening, and it seemed Mark really did have a natural talent.
Carol was thrilled at how much he had come out of his shell of late.
She was certain that if he had gone alone he would have had a line of willing female partners to dance with.
They all raised a glass to Alice as they enjoyed their meal.
‘To think this is where it all began,’ said Declan. ‘We might never have got together had Alice not invited us to dinner.’
‘I’m not sure we would have,’ agreed Jess. ‘It makes you think, though, doesn’t it? Sometimes it only takes one person to change your life.’
‘True enough,’ said Declan as he also thought about Ken Watson and the chance he had given him. He could never thank him enough.
It was Saturday afternoon, and Jess had just returned from doing a bride’s make-up a couple of miles away.
She had recently attended a refresher course at night school and now spent the occasional weekend mornings doing wedding make-up.
Thankfully she had not encountered any Bridezillas up to now.
She was grateful that her mum had watched Maisie, and prepared a tasty lunch with the help of Mark and Declan.
‘Living here feels like the greatest gift from Alice,’ said Jess as she enjoyed her delicious pasta. ‘I feel her presence is all around. And Maisie absolutely loves the garden, don’t you?’
‘I love it more than anything. I am going to have a bouncy castle at my next birthday party, aren’t I, Mummy?’ she said excitedly. ‘And my friends from school are going to come.’
‘You are indeed.’ Jess smiled lovingly at her daughter.
‘Typical of Alice to think about you and Maisie having the garden flat,’ said Carol.
‘Isn’t it just,’ said Jess. ‘She was always thinking of others.’
‘Right, let’s clear these plates, then who fancies a walk to the beach?’ suggested Declan. ‘I need to get some steps in.’
‘Great idea,’ said Mark, and Carol and Jess agreed.
On their walk, the group passed through Alexandra Park and stopped at a memorial bench.
‘What do you think, Alice? I reckon he is telling me porkies about not dancing before.’ Carol nodded towards Mark.
She glanced at the plaque on the bench, after placing a posy of white flowers into a plant holder.
The memorial bench had been Mark’s idea as he recalled Alice’s affection for parks. It may not have been Sefton Park, but it was so close to the apartments and they could visit it regularly. Jess and Declan thought it a fitting tribute too.
Mark and Carol were a couple now, although Carol was still adamant about never living with a man again. And what was the need? They had their own space, something they both relished, and enjoyed their time together when they did meet up.
‘I’m so glad things are working out with the bridal make-up,’ said Carol to Jess as they exited the small park.
‘Me too. I’m really enjoying it. The bride this morning went for a natural look, which was a bit different than what I usually do,’ she told her mum. ‘She said something about not wanting to look like a drag queen on her big day, which made me chuckle.’
‘What’s a drag queen?’ asked Maisie and Declan could not help but smile as Jess tactfully explained it as an entertainer who liked to wear bright clothes.
Jess was enjoying doing wedding make-up, and had recently booked driving lessons as she hated relying on anyone else.
It was awkward carrying her huge cosmetic case on public transport but hopefully it would not be forever.
She would never have been able to afford the lessons without the generosity of Alice.
She wondered if Alice knew the impact she was having on all of their lives.
Declan was doing well in his business and enjoying it immensely.
He was in the middle of organising a ball for a charity evening to support a local children’s hospice, inviting other local businesses along.
He would never forget to heed Alice’s words and look after others whenever possible.
Mark was grabbing life with both hands, and in the process discovered that he was a good dancer.
He was no longer locked in his grief, although he did still relish his alone time, something Carol understood completely.
He was no longer estranged from his sister and nephew, who he regularly enjoyed leisurely Sunday lunches with.
‘Do you ever wonder if Alice is watching us?’ said Carol as a white feather swirled to the ground in front of them.
‘Who knows?’ said Declan. ‘Although surely you don’t think that is a sign.’ He laughed. ‘It’s probably just come from a nearby seagull.’
‘But you never know,’ said Jess. ‘Alice had a deep faith. So perhaps she really is smiling down on us from somewhere. I like to think so anyway.’
They walked quietly as they pondered Jess’s words.
‘Right, come on, let’s get a move on,’ said Mark, patting his stomach. ‘I need to work off that third slice of garlic bread and a slow stroll is not going to do that.’
‘We can jog if you like,’ suggested Declan.
‘A brisk walk is fine at my age.’ Mark smiled.
‘Can we feed the ducks at the pond on the way?’ asked Maisie.
‘Of course we can.’ Jess lifted the bag of seeds from her bag that she had remembered to bring.
They may live in an apartment, but it was such a lovely part of the city there was nowhere else she would rather live.
‘Then can I go on the swings near the beach?’
‘You can,’ said Jess.
‘And get an ice cream?’ asked Maisie hopefully.
‘Whatever you like.’ Jess smiled.
As she strolled along with her friends, she felt a feeling of contentment that she had never known. Life was for living after all. And she owed it to Alice to live it to the full.