Chapter 42
CLARK
Pearl is a little tipsy.
‘Clark,’ she beams, leaning into me at my garden table. ‘My favourite neighbour and friend.’
‘Hello, Pearl,’ I say, sitting next to her.
My heart lets out a series of aches as I think about how she’s soon going to lose me as a neighbour.
Seeing Laura sit with her tonight has eased my fears a little as I know she will pop in to check in on her, but I’ll miss her friendship, our conversations about the failings of her late husband and her love for a good bottle of wine.
Emotion builds inside of me. ‘You’ve been a great friend to me, Pearl,’ I croak.
She rubs my arm. ‘We have a laugh – don’t we? Everyone at my church crochet club thinks we’re in a relationship.’
I arch an eyebrow. ‘Really?’
She giggles. ‘I love how the ladies at crochet think, at seventy-five, I am capable of dating a handsome thirty-one-year-old.’
‘I hope you’ve corrected them.’ I chuckle.
She smiles. ‘Of course, but some of those old dears have vivid imaginations.’
We both giggle and drink some wine.
‘I have been meaning to ask you, Clark – why isn’t your mother here tonight?’
I sigh. ‘She’s not speaking to me.’
Pearl is studying my face. ‘You told her about your dad, didn’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, that’s sad. I hope one day she doesn’t regret that.’
I look away and try not to think about tomorrow night.
‘How is your dad?’
The thought of him makes me smile. ‘He’s good. We message each other a lot.’
She rubs my hand. ‘Carry on building a bridge with him. I can tell by your face that he means a lot to you.’
Guilt nibbles away at me. ‘I didn’t talk to him for ten years.’
‘You were angry at him for hurting your mother. Be grateful you were given a second chance with him. Some people don’t get that.’
She’s right. I was given another go with Dad. Later I might call him. I smile at her. ‘Thanks, Pearl.’
‘I’m sorry about what happened with Rodney.’ Reaching over, she picks a bottle and pours herself another glass of wine. ‘You’ll be glad to know I have changed my mind.’
‘On what?’
She casts me a mischievous look. ‘I want to go back to Pixie Cove. As soon as possible.’
I glance at her wine glass. ‘You’ve had a few too many of those.’
She shakes her head. ‘I’m serious. I want to see him and this time I won’t let you down.’
I stare at her. ‘You didn’t let us down. Do you really want to see Rodney?’
She places a hand on my arm. ‘I want to see him again. I might not get another chance in this lifetime.’
If she had Rodney in her life, that would be someone else who could care for her.
Maybe she could move to Pixie Cove and happily live out her twilight years in his blue house by the sea?
I must make this happen. If I can go to the afterlife knowing Pearl is happy and has someone to dote on her I will be okay.
Tomorrow is our last day. I don’t think Florence will want to work in the café. Maybe we could take Pearl to Pixie Cove. We could have a picnic on the beach while Pearl and Rodney get to know each other again.
I need to check Pearl is sure about this.
‘But you got so worried when we went to Pixie Cove the other day?’
She sighs. ‘I’ve been dreaming about Rodney for so long I didn’t want to spoil it. The thought of being on my deathbed and knowing I could have seen him again is a sad one. Clark, I need to see Rodney.’
‘Florence,’ I say reaching out as she passes. ‘Are you in the café tomorrow?’
She shakes her head. ‘No. Laura is going to work the morning shift and close the café at lunch. Why?’
‘Pearl wants to see Rodney Beaver again.’
Florence looks over at Pearl. ‘Is this true?’
Pearl nods. ‘Florence, seeing you and Clark finally together has made me change my mind about Rodney. I need to see him.’
Florence’s eyes flick to the empty wine bottle next to Pearl. ‘Have you had too much wine?’
Pearl giggles. ‘No, why would you think that?’
I pull Florence closer. ‘What about a romantic day in Pixie Cove?’
She smiles. ‘Let’s have some fun.’
I turn to Pearl. ‘We will take you to Pixie Cove tomorrow.’
Pearl claps. ‘Thank you so much.’
Jane rushes past us. ‘Just going to get my podcast equipment. Can I record in your house, Clark?’
‘Yes, of course. What’s going on?’
Jane smiles. ‘I was talking to Sam, and he told me about his friend he wants to track down. They used to travel to work together. I had a brainwave – I can use my podcast to try and reach her.’
‘Hey, that’s a great idea.’
There are voices coming in from my French windows. I look up to see Bread arriving, hand in hand with the woman from the karaoke bar, and behind her is… Margo.
My heart grinds to a halt. Bread waves. ‘I invited these two – hope you don’t mind.’
I look up to see Florence’s smile fading fast. Her eyes are darkening and her jaw has tightened.
But I don’t have time to wonder why she’s here, because someone taps me on the arm. I look around to see Jack.
‘Clark, I need to talk to you,’ he says.
‘Give me five minutes.’ I can’t let Margo walk right on in, not with Florence here.
I take Florence by the hand. ‘I will deal with this.’
‘We don’t have long left, and I don’t want to see her.’
‘Leave it to me.’
I release her hand and walk up to Bread. ‘Can I have a word?’
Before he has time to answer I pull him into my kitchen. ‘I don’t want Margo here.’
He runs a hand through his loaf-like hair. ‘Why not?’
‘I am with Florence.’
A look of shock passes over Bread’s face. ‘What? Florence? Mate – you and her have been arguing for years.’
‘Let’s just say I have realised I love her. I am going to tell Margo to go.’
Bread starts to whine. ‘Oh, come on. That’s harsh. Think of your single friends who are hoping for some action tonight.’
Without hesitation, I walk up to Margo. ‘I don’t want you here. Will you and your friend please go.’
She stares at me. ‘Really?’
I nod. ‘Now, please. You were never invited. Bread bought you here by mistake.’
Margo scowls. ‘My pleasure. Oh, and before I go, I lied about wanting to get back with you. I was bored.’
‘Get out.’
Bread is fuming as he watches Margo and her friend leave. ‘Mate, I was going to get laid tonight.’
I ignore him. Florence comes to stand by me. ‘She’s gone,’ she says.
I nod. ‘For good.’
She puts her arm around my waist. ‘You did that for me?’
I smile. ‘For us.’
She kisses me. ‘I’m looking forward to Pixie Cove.’
‘It will be great. Hopefully Pearl will remember this conversation in the morning, and we can reunite her with Mr Beaver and have some time to ourselves on the beach.’
Florence nods. ‘What happens if we get there and she changes her mind again?’
I laugh. ‘I am fully expecting that to happen. In that case, tomorrow will be spent on the motorway listening to my satnav going into meltdown.’
Laura leans over. ‘Are you and Clark planning a romantic day trip?’
‘We might be – why?’
‘Make sure you’re back before teatime as there’s going to be a massive storm. Ronan just texted me to cancel our date tomorrow.’ She giggles.
To my surprise she looks over at Minty who smiles at her.
Under the table I reach for Florence’s hand and give it a gentle squeeze.