Page 105 of The Time of My Afterlife

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?’