Page 56 of The Time of My Afterlife

Laura is studying my face. ‘You do know he’s the only one who causes your face to flush.’

‘Stop it,’ I snap. ‘It’s warm outside and Chris is my true love.’

‘I still don’t think he’s legit. Anyway, what did you and Clark do?’

I take a deep breath. ‘We agreed to work together on a project.’

Laura blinks. ‘A project? You and him?’

With a shake of my head, I pick up a cloth and start giving the counter a thorough clean. ‘It won’t work because he doesn’t understand the concept of teamwork.’

The café is filled with the sound of a long, metallic wail of a train breaking suddenly.

Laura gives a puzzled look before heading into the kitchen.

Clark has been on my mind. I glance at the clock. There’s an hour to go before closing time, and I am debating whether to close early. Laura left at lunch because she had the afternoon off and wanted to buy an outfit for her date with Ronan. Once again, I got a bit emotional at the thought I might not see her again if Clark and I fail. Before she left, she gave me an odd look as I released her from a tight hug. ‘You’ve been wonderful to me, Laura. Give my love to Molly and tell her to work hard at school.’

So, it’s just me and my empty café. I’ve just phoned Mum and told her what a great mother she’s been. She thanked me and asked whether I’d been gardening again.

I look at the clock and ask myself why I’m standing here – with no drinks to serve or toasties to make – when it could potentially be my last day.

I can feel myself wobble again. It’s time to close early and go help Clark with Jane’s podcast. I race to the café door and flip the closed sign. After collecting my bag and my denim jacket, I stand and survey my beloved café. I take in a shaky breath and catch sight of the stairs leading upstairs.

Maybe if another miracle happens and we’re given another chance I might venture up there? Giving it a lick of paint might not be that hard. Mum would be pleased if I made Dad’s dream come true. Also, if she did sell this place, two floors might have more buyer appeal.

On the way home my mind replays what Laura assumed earlier in the café – that I’d jumped into bed with Clark. ‘Ridiculous,’ I mutter, taking off my denim jacket as the late afternoon sun is hot. ‘Why would anyone think that I find Clark Fielding attractive?’

As I turn into the cul-de-sac, I decide to switch my focus. I need to prepare for a battle with Clark. He’ll be lecturing poor Jane on how she should record her podcast, and she’ll be wishing he had never asked her. I think about how annoying he was this morning and as I stand on his doorstep, I am ready to give him hell.

He opens the door in a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops. His white T-shirt disarms me. It’s a little snug, hugging his broad chest and arms. The colour contrasts with his golden tan and I skip a breath. His eyes widen, and for a few seconds, I wonder whether he’s surprised to see me. ‘You’re early,’ he says.

My attention slips back to his T-shirt. It’s like the perfect fit for his broad frame…

What am I doing? I have a job to do.

I enter his living room, where Jane and Jack look up from his sofa. She smiles and holds up some sheets of A4 paper. Jack is clutching a microphone. ‘Clark’s helping me record my first episode,’ she says. ‘Do you want to hear the intro we’ve come up with?’

They’re all looking like they’re having fun. This is not what I expected to see.

‘Yes,’ I say, sitting down opposite her and Jack. Clark comes to perch on the sofa arm near me.

‘Are you ready, Florence?’ she asks, throwing me an excited look before pressing play on her laptop.

The room is suddenly filled with the saddest music I have ever heard. By the time Jane’s voice can be heard introducing the podcast, I am on the verge of tears. It’s giving me dramatic and tragic vibes. The way Jane’s voice comes through is good, but the music must change.

‘Atmospheric, isn’t it?’ Clark gushes. ‘I think it’s emotional and soulful. Just what this podcast for lonely people needs.’

I shake my head. ‘If I listened to this, I would get depressed quickly and press the skip button.’

‘Really?’ Jane asks. ‘I did wonder whether it was too dark.’

I can hear Clark huffing. ‘Florence, it’s a podcast for lonely folk. It’s not going to be jolly and full of laughs.’

He’s so annoying. I need to put him right. ‘Clark, the podcast is also about hope. There is life and connection after loneliness.’

Jane’s face lights up. ‘Right – that’s exactly what I wanted it to do.’

I cast him one of my triumphant smiles. ‘The music at the start needs to signify that. You need music that changes in tempo to something warmer.’