Chapter 47
FLORENCE
‘This is dangerous, let’s head back,’ says Clark. ‘We’ll phone the police.’
A clap of thunder makes us both jump.
‘We can’t give up. One last shout. Jack!’
There’s nothing but the howling wind and the rain.
My legs are like jelly. A few moments ago, I nearly fell into the river. The water is a churning brown and angry. Branches whip past and thunder rolls overhead.
Clark turns me around, and we are about to head back to the car when I spot a small shape clinging to a half-submerged branch. A sharp involuntary sound comes from my lungs. ‘Jack.’ I point to him.
There’s a mumbling sound. He’s not making much sense.
Clark spots him too. ‘Wait here,’ he says, his voice low and steady, the kind of calm I needed to hear. I hold my breath as Clark wades into the roaring water. He reaches out to Jack. ‘Come on, mate,’ he says, grabbing the boy. Once in his arms he lifts him onto the muddy bank and into my arms.
I take off my coat and wrap it around a blue-tinged Jack, who is sobbing with relief.
Then I crouch down and help Clark out of the river.
We all make our way back up to safety.
Tears bubble in my eyes as I hug Jack.
‘Sorry, Clark,’ he cries, throwing his arms around Clark’s waist.
Relief floods my body, and tears stream down my face. ‘Jack, you’re safe.’
Clark hugs Jack. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he shouts as thunder booms above us.
We return to the car park and climb inside Clark’s car. I sit in the back with Jack, who is sodden and shivering. Reaching over, I give him a hug.
He casts me a weak smile. ‘Sorry.’
Clark is phoning Jane. ‘We’ve found him. He’d fallen into the river. He’s safe.’
I wipe Jack’s hair away from his eyes. ‘You’re safe.’
He shakes his head. ‘I miss my dad.’
Tears bubble up in my eyes and I pull him close. ‘I miss my dad too. He’s in heaven like yours.’
Jack looks up at me. ‘Really?’
I nod and wipe away a tear. ‘I read your note that you left your mum. Jack, I’ve been thinking something very similar. Like everyone has forgotten about my dad and it made me sad.’
His eyes widen. ‘Like me?’
I nod. ‘Like you. I know how you feel.’
‘That’s cool.’
‘The thing is I know that the people I love haven’t forgotten him.’
‘How do you know?’
I gesture towards Clark. ‘He has a photo of my dad in his kitchen.’
Jack smiles at Clark, who turns around. ‘Jack, I will happily put up a photo of your dad in my kitchen if it makes you happy.’
He smiles. ‘I’d like that.’
Two figures knock on the car window.
Jack shouts, ‘Mum,’ and scrambles out of the car.
Jane and a policeman are standing in the pouring rain. Jack throws himself at his mum. ‘Oh, God, you’re okay. I have been so worried.’
She looks at me. ‘You are an angel, Florence. Thank you for rescuing him.’
I turn to Clark. ‘It wasn’t just me.’
Jane beams at Clark. ‘Thank you so much.’
As Jack gets into the policeman’s car, he looks back at me. ‘Thanks, Florence and Clark.’
Clark pulls me into a hug. ‘We’re heroes.’
I point to his sodden and muddy trousers. ‘You should take them off and drive home in your boxers. Let’s get home.’
He nods and changes. ‘Promise you won’t look at my underwear,’ he says jokingly.
I smile. ‘Clark, get in the car.’
We sit for a few moments before he starts the engine.
‘Wow, we found him,’ I exclaim. ‘We did it, Clark.’
He smiles. ‘We will go tonight knowing Jack is safe.’
‘We’ve left a nice legacy. We’re no longer the two squabbling neighbours.’
‘Jane and Jack will never forget what happened tonight with our rescue. We will stay in their memories forever.’
I hold his gaze. ‘We’re going to die soon. I know that. I want you to know that I have had the best last day ever. You’ve made me feel so happy, Clark.’
Leaning over to kiss me, he says, ‘You make me happy too, Florence. I want you to know that when it happens, I will hold your hand.’
I look at him, and my heart aches. ‘Clark, I couldn’t go to the afterlife without you.’