Page 109 of The Time of My Afterlife

‘“On this week’s show, we are going to be hearing from Chipshoplady, who misses her ex-boyfriend, whom she broke up with after the man from the pizza shop made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Sadly, the pizza man didn’t live up to expectations, and now she wishes her ex-boyfriend would come and order a battered sausage.”’

Pearl is chuckling away in the back, and it makes me smile.

‘“We will also be hearing from LottieGold, who has moved to a new city and doesn’t know anyone. She’s feeling lonely and is wondering whether she should get back in contact with her ex, who cheated on her last year, but she’s willing to forgive him.”’

‘No, don’t do it,’ we all shout, which makes us laugh.

‘“Finally, we will be hearing from The8.24trainguy who met a pretty redhead last year in a café queue and can’t stop thinking about her.”’

Florence smiles. ‘That’s Sam. Oh wow, the search for Beth has started.’

We all listen to Jane’s podcast and when we get to Sam’s email, I turn up the volume.

‘Wow,’ utters Pearl. ‘I feel like dating him myself after listening to all that.’

The podcast sounds good and I know Florence was involved in its making. Reaching over, I give her hand a squeeze. ‘Great work.’

She smiles. ‘I hope Beth listens to it. I know it’s a long shot, but miracles do happen. Can you imagine if she’s a single mum who still dreams about the man she met on the 8.24 train and listens to that episode?’

‘I hope she does.’

‘Good luck to Sam,’ shouts Pearl. ‘Such a nice young man and he can cook – always a good sign.’

Florence places her hand on my arm. ‘I’m glad I helped Jane and Sam.’

I nod. ‘I hope he finds her.’

Pixie Cove looks stunning. The sky is cloudless, the sun’s rays bounce off the waves, and the azure-blue sea looks like it’s made of crystals.

We follow the winding road up to the cliff road and there is Mr Beaver’s duck-egg blue cottage. I glance in the back mirror. Pearl is smiling, which is a relief.

‘Are you okay, Pearl?’

She nods. ‘As ready as I will ever be.’

We all get out and Florence goes ahead to knock on Mr Beaver’s door.

It’s hot and I can feel the sun beating down on my neck.

I walk with Pearl up the path.

We knock and knock but there is no answer. ‘He must have gone out,’ says Pearl with dismay.

‘He won’t have gone far,’ I say, ‘Let’s go into town and get a drink.’

‘Do you think he goes far?’ Florence asks me.

I hide my unease with a shrug. ‘He’ll be back.’

I drive us into the centre of Pixie Bay and manage to find a parking space. As I step out of the car, the salty smell of the chips and the aroma of battered fish tickle my nostrils.

We walk to the edge of the quay and watch tourists wade out into the sea. Above our heads seagulls are playing a noisy game of chase, and below on the beach, tiny children are squealing with delight as they race across the sand. The sun is bathing the golden sand with its warm rays. There are people lying on towels and I see a man carrying a tray of ice-creams onto the beach. I look over at the little promenade. ‘Shall we go and get a drink? There looks like there is a café over there.’

The café is nice and quaint but not as good as Florence’s. I told her this and was rewarded with a kiss.

We’re sitting outside, sipping cooling lemonades, and Pearl is having a cup of tea. The beach is in front of us. Waves are taking their time to reach the shore and when they do, they break with little fuss. A few chattering seagulls are circling above our heads. It’s like we’ve found a piece of paradise. In my head, I’m trying to fix the image in place in my mind; the colour of the water, the way the sunlight reflects on Florence’s hair and the sound of Pearl laughing. If I notice everything it will stay in my memory for a long time.

The waves keep coming and Florence is holding my hand underneath the table.