Page 116 of The Time of My Afterlife

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.’

48

CLARK

We enter my house, me in my coat and silky black boxer shorts and Florence carrying my wet trousers. There’s about an hour and a half to go. We’ve both agreed to put the love making on hold for a bit as we are desperate for a sugary cup of tea and some warm clothes.

As we come into the living room we gasp.

Hilda and Iris are sat waiting for us. They stand and wave their clipboards. ‘Just your friendly neighbourhood angels,’ says Iris with a giggle. She spots my underwear and immediately covers her eyes. ‘Clark, I’m not peeping. Honest.’

Hilda nudges her. ‘Iris, control yourself.’

‘Are you here to take us to the afterlife?’ Florence asks as I wrap the blanket I gave to Jane around my waist.

Hilda gestures for us to take a seat. Iris is busy flicking through the papers on her clipboard.

Florence and I sit down and hold hands.

Iris is beaming at us. ‘We’re pleased to say that you have passed.’

‘What?’ we both say in unison.

I am speechless. The word ‘passed’ is echoing inside my mind.

Florence’s jaw is hanging open and she’s not even blinking.

Hilda smiles. ‘Since we saw you last night, we have seen so much change in you both that we have reevaluated our decision.’

Iris continues. ‘You forgot about yourselves today. With Pearl, you were protective of her, and you only wanted her to be happy. It was lovely to watch.’

Hilda nods. ‘Tonight you saved someone who needed you. There was no hesitation, and you didn’t argue or try to outdo each other. You just leapt into action. That’s what love looks like.’

Iris claps. ‘Congratulations!’

I can’t believe it.

Florence is shaking my arm. ‘Clark, we have our lives back.’

My heart has gone berserk inside my chest. I reach out, cup her face with both hands and pull her in for a kiss. Tears start to stream down both our cheeks as we half-cry and half-laugh.

‘We have a second chance,’ says Florence as we come up for air. I gaze into her eyes and wipe a clump of wet hair from her forehead.

‘I love you so much, I say.’