Chapter 24
CLARK
It’s mid-morning. I’ve made good progress on the upstairs floor of the café.
The room has been cleared. Florence checked all the old boxes in case there was anything she wanted to keep and then I took them to the skip. I’ve filled in all the holes and cracks in the walls, and I’m just sanding them down now before the painting can begin.
Downstairs, I can hear Laura telling Florence all about her date with Ronan tonight. I pause on the sanding so I can hear what they’re talking about. ‘I feel like a teenager again, Florence. You know all, giggly and excitable.’
Florence doesn’t answer as she must be busy.
‘How’s Chris?’ Laura asks. ‘I need an update.’
I move closer to the stairs so I can listen. On the way to the café this morning, I went to the post office to send Florence the glittery notebook I bought in Pixie Cove. I disguised my handwriting and slipped in a note with the words From Chris x.
As the lady in the post office took the parcel from me, I silently vowed that this would be Chris’s final act.
‘He’s okay,’ says Florence. She doesn’t sound overly enthused, which is a good thing, as after the notebook arrives, Chris will slowly go distant and quiet.
Guilt nibbles away at me. I should never have created Chris.
I think back to last year. Florence was upset after her miscarriage; she wouldn’t speak to anyone but her mum and all I could think about was the promise I made Harry.
I had to make sure she was okay. Mum fell to pieces after losing her baby.
I was scared the same would happen to Florence.
‘Are you having doubts?’ Laura asks. ‘It must be hard as you don’t have a clue what he looks like and haven’t met him in person.’
Florence doesn’t answer.
‘Molly is excited about her sleepover tonight,’ says Laura.
‘Erm… I forgot she was staying over,’ says Florence. ‘Good job you reminded me. What time will she pop over?’
I wonder how the afterlife will communicate with us if Molly’s in the house.
Today I don’t feel as worried about the test result. Iris’s cryptic comment last night helped a lot. It seemed to support Florence’s theory. We need to make little shifts that eventually tip something bigger into place. That’s what will get us that much-needed pass.
Florence is having a late lunch break, watching me paint the walls. She’s sitting in the middle on a chair, eating a cheese toastie. I was rewarded with one earlier, plus a coffee – all on the house, which was nice.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ she says, between mouthfuls. ‘We need to find out more about Mr Beaver. The key to reuniting him and Pearl is to do with his anger.’
I roller the walls with fresh cream paint. ‘He was always like that at school.’
‘Yes, but from what Pearl says, it sounds like he had a sudden personality change after they broke up.’
‘He threw me out of the house as soon as I mentioned Pearl’s name.’
She sighs. ‘I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but we both need to go to Pixie Cove, and I will talk to Mr Beaver.’
‘Really?’
‘I can take tomorrow afternoon off.’
Wow – this is something I wasn’t expecting. ‘As long as the afterlife doesn’t end the test tonight.’
She casts me a pained expression. ‘Don’t say that. I have Molly staying over tonight. I’m hoping I can get her to talk about her mum.’
‘Don’t try to fill the gaps when she talks,’ I advise.
She fidgets in her chair and twists her mouth into a knot to stop any barbed reply from coming out. I can see she’s struggling with my advice.
This makes me think – do I find her guidance a challenge?
A few unsettling thoughts push their way to the front of my mind. Maybe I need to think about that?
‘Laura said I would find you both in here,’ says a familiar voice. We both look up to see Jane climbing the stairs.
She surveys the room. ‘Wow, this place has potential.’
I smile at her. ‘Florence’s dad had a grand plan for it, so we’re making that happen.’
Florence chuckles. ‘Well, Clark is doing all the work, and I’m sitting here scoffing my lunch.’
Jane beams at her. ‘Florence, downstairs is so lovely I can’t believe I have never been in here.’
Florence smiles. ‘Thanks. Listen, Jane, I want to apologise for yesterday. Clark and I were behaving like a pair of squabbling kids.’
Jane bats her hand away. ‘Well, I came to thank you both.’
We both look at her, sharing the same puzzled expression.
‘Florence, you gave me the confidence to do something with my idea, and Clark, your practical expertise resulted in me recording my first episode.’ She lifts her arms in celebration. ‘I put it live early this morning.’
I watch Florence stand up, open her arms and pull Jane into a celebratory hug. I can’t help but feel proud. In the space of a few days, Florence has gone from avoiding her neighbour to hugging her.
Jane is all smiles when they part. ‘I’ve done it. I feel great,’ she gushes. ‘I just wanted to tell you. I must go and run some errands. Thank you both.’
After she leaves, Florence comes over to where I’m painting. ‘We can’t get carried away, but that must count as a small change.’
I nod. ‘It wasn’t our best performance. I’m just glad she’s put her first episode live. You two could become friends.’
A smile takes hold of her face. ‘I’d like that. You know for a long time I’ve been secretly jealous of your friendship with Pearl.’
‘Well, I am looking forward to seeing you and Jane popping into each other’s for a coffee and a chat about books.’
She surveys my freshly painted strip of wall. ‘I still can’t believe we’re doing this.’
I glance at her. ‘I can’t believe you’ve offered to come to Pixie Cove with me tomorrow.’
Her laugh makes my heart flutter. Florence Hill – what are you doing to me?