Page 110 of The Time of My Afterlife

I need to distract myself from the thought that this is our final day.

I survey the beach. To my dismay there are no large rocks. That means Florence and I won’t be able to have some fun in private. The beach is also busy, and I can’t see any quiet spots. I can feel my sprits sinking. This is supposed to be our amazing last day.

‘We should have contacted him before we came,’ says Florence, placing her shades on top of her head.

‘Yes,’ I sigh. ‘I got carried away thinking about seeing his and Pearl’s reunion. He didn’t strike me as someone who goes out a lot.’

Florence shakes her head. ‘I can’t see Mr Beaver as a happy day tripper.’

‘It will be fine,’ I say, injecting an air of confidence into my voice. ‘He’ll be back soon.’

It’s late afternoon and my plan hasn’t worked. There’s been no sign of Mr Beaver. We’ve spent the day with Pearl, which has been nice, but I would have preferred to have left her at Mr Beaver’s house and had my wicked way with Florence on the beach.

We’re on our way back to his cottage for one final check. If he’s not in, we shall head back, as we don’t want to get stuck in the bad weather with Pearl in the car.

As I get out of the driver’s seat, I look towards Mr Beaver’s cottage. I wonder whether I will see him one last time.

Florence holds my hand as we make the familiar trip to his front door. ‘I have enjoyed our last day,’ she says, rubbing my arm.

‘It’s not gone to plan.’

She laughs. ‘I’m not sure I wanted sand in my knickers, Clark. Would make an uncomfortable trip home.’

I laugh but secretly groan.

Pearl knocks on the door. There’s still no answer.

We all turn around and head back to the car with heavy hearts. I’m about to open the car door for Pearl when we hear a voice.

‘Pearl?’

We turn around, and there he is. Mr Beaver. He’s walking towards us. ‘Pearl – is that you?’

I look at Pearl, who looks like she’s been frozen in time. Gently I touch her arm. ‘It’s okay,’ I whisper. ‘We don’t have to do this.’

Her face comes to life, and she smiles nervously. I put my arm around her and give her a hug as he approaches. ‘It’s okay. I am here with you.’

Rodney is getting nearer.

Pearl gasps. ‘It’s Rodney. It’s really him.’

Then she glances at me and I know she’s found her confidence. With a smile she breaks free of my arm.

‘Rodney,’ she cries, and we watch them both half walk, half run to each other.

Tears prick my eyes as I watch her fall into his arms.

Florence cuddles up to me, and I put my arm around her. ‘We did it, Clark. We have finally reunited two lost souls.’

‘It feels nice,’ I say as Mr Beaver twirls Pearl around.

‘I’m glad we came all this way,’ says Florence, leaning her head against my shoulder. ‘It was worth it for this sight.’

45

FLORENCE

The drive back from Pixie Cove was filled with Pearl telling us about how Rodney Beaver is still the love of her life and how she will go to bed tonight dreaming of him.