Page 65 of The Time of My Afterlife

‘He threw me out of the house as soon as I mentioned Pearl’s name.’

She sighs. ‘I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but we both need to go to Pixie Cove, and I will talk to Mr Beaver.’

‘Really?’

‘I can take tomorrow afternoon off.’

Wow – this is something I wasn’t expecting. ‘As long as the afterlife doesn’t end the test tonight.’

She casts me a pained expression. ‘Don’t say that. I have Molly staying over tonight. I’m hoping I can get her to talk about her mum.’

‘Don’t try to fill the gaps when she talks,’ I advise.

She fidgets in her chair and twists her mouth into a knot to stop any barbed reply from coming out. I can see she’s struggling with my advice.

This makes me think – do I find her guidance a challenge?

A few unsettling thoughts push their way to the front of my mind. Maybe I need to think about that?

‘Laura said I would find you both in here,’ says a familiar voice. We both look up to see Jane climbing the stairs.

She surveys the room. ‘Wow, this place has potential.’

I smile at her. ‘Florence’s dad had a grand plan for it, so we’re making that happen.’

Florence chuckles. ‘Well, Clark is doing all the work, and I’m sitting here scoffing my lunch.’

Jane beams at her. ‘Florence, downstairs is so lovely I can’t believe I have never been in here.’

Florence smiles. ‘Thanks. Listen, Jane, I want to apologise for yesterday. Clark and I were behaving like a pair of squabbling kids.’

Jane bats her hand away. ‘Well, I came to thank you both.’

We both look at her, sharing the same puzzled expression.

‘Florence, you gave me the confidence to do something with my idea, and Clark, your practical expertise resulted in me recording my first episode.’ She lifts her arms in celebration. ‘I put it live early this morning.’

I watch Florence stand up, open her arms and pull Jane into a celebratory hug. I can’t help but feel proud. In the space of a few days, Florence has gone from avoiding her neighbour to hugging her.

Jane is all smiles when they part. ‘I’ve done it. I feel great,’ she gushes. ‘I just wanted to tell you. I must go and run some errands. Thank you both.’

After she leaves, Florence comes over to where I’m painting. ‘We can’t get carried away, but that must count as a small change.’

I nod. ‘It wasn’t our best performance. I’m just glad she’s put her first episode live. You two could become friends.’

A smile takes hold of her face. ‘I’d like that. You know for a long time I’ve been secretly jealous of your friendship with Pearl.’

‘Well, I am looking forward to seeing you and Jane popping into each other’s for a coffee and a chat about books.’

She surveys my freshly painted strip of wall. ‘I still can’t believe we’re doing this.’

I glance at her. ‘I can’t believe you’ve offered to come to Pixie Cove with me tomorrow.’

Her laugh makes my heart flutter. Florence Hill – what are you doing to me?

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FLORENCE