Epilogue
A YEAR LATER
I’m standing at my whiteboard in the café, clutching one of my markers and staring at what I have just scribbled down.
Two strong arms slide around my waist, hands settling over the gentle swell of my bump.
I feel him exhale against my shoulder. His breath is warm and steady.
I glance at his face and spot a smile spreading across his face.
‘You’ve been busy,’ he murmurs, before kissing my neck.
‘Another name came to me as I was making that last latte. Our little girl wants us to consider all possibilities.’
He lets out a mock sigh. ‘I see she’s already being demanding. There’s no hope for me.’
I giggle and lean back into him. ‘Yes, she is. What do you think of my latest name?’
He stares at the name. ‘Olive.’
‘Do you not like it?’
‘I love it.’ His voice crackles with emotion. ‘Are you sure?’
I lean my head against his. ‘One hundred per cent.’
‘Olive Fielding sounds good,’ he says, with a wry smile.
I gently tap my ring finger. ‘We’ve talked about that. She can have your name once…’
He kisses me. ‘I need you to come upstairs.’
I sigh and look at my whiteboard. ‘Okay, lead the way.’
Once we recovered from our afterlife test ordeal (and had a lot of sex), Clark and I decided to make some changes. We moved into his house and rented out mine. He handed in his resignation at work and now works in the café with me.
Five months ago, I discovered I was pregnant and we were over the moon. Every day we wake up feeling grateful for our lives and our wonderful friends.
Pearl has moved to Pixie Cove and now lives with Rodney in his blue house by the sea.
Mum is engaged to Steve and I am so happy for them both.
Jane’s podcast found Beth for Sam, which was amazing, and Laura and Molly have become closer than ever, with Molly knowing that she will always come first to any man her mother meets.
Clark’s dad Keith is now a big part of our lives.
His mother still hasn’t spoken to him but as we all know Gail loves to hold a grudge.
Meanwhile, Clark is getting an early peek into what being a father will be like, taking a much-needed paternal role in Jack’s life.
They go to watch the football every weekend and they have become good mates.
Clark holds my hand as we weave our way across the café. Molly, who is busy taking an order, grins, which is unusual. Something is going on.
I climb the stairs and gasp.
I am greeted by a crowd of familiar faces: Mum and Steve, Pearl and Rodney, Jane and Jack, Laura, Keith, and Sam with his arm around Beth.
Everyone claps, which makes my face go red.
Clark turns to me and bends down on one knee…