Page 72 of The Time of My Afterlife

She giggles. ‘Florence, I might have encouraged him when I got home, and we exchanged some spicy texts. It’s hard to go on a date with him and not get carried away with his beautiful accent and his muscular arms.’

I arch an eyebrow and she does a little celebratory dance.

Once she’s calmed down, she smiles. ‘Speaking of romance – how is Chris?’

I think back to his message before I went to sleep last night. It was a surprise as he’s gone a bit quiet over the last few days.

His message read:

You’re still my favourite plot twist.

Last night, while reading it, I did start to question why I was messaging a stranger. This is the first time I have thought this; I found myself comparing Chris to Clark, which was a shock.

Things have changed between Clark and me. Every day he surprises me with something. Yesterday it was all the work he did in the café and how he mentioned my mum being happy that we had finally done something my dad would have wanted. I have never appreciated the fact that Clark and I grew up together and he knew my parents. I love hearing him talk about Dad. I’m not sure I would want to date someone who doesn’t know my family. There’s also the worry that Chris might be a weirdo.

Laura coos. ‘Can you imagine if Chris is not a stalker and is hot, handsome and into books?’

I nod as Clark’s face flashes up inside my mind.

Laura pulls me into a hug. ‘You deserve some happiness.’

I remember how Laura was a pillar of strength for me during that time. When I was worried about how I was going to cope raising a child by myself, it was Laura who calmed me down with her warm hugs and beaming smile. After I lost the baby, it was Laura who held me while I sobbed in the kitchen. It was Laura who helped me sell the baby clothes I had bought. If anything ever happened to me I would want her to know how appreciative I am of her support.

‘Thanks, Laura,’ I say as I pull apart.

‘For what?’ she says.

‘For being there for me after Ben and when I lost the baby.’

She rubs my shoulder. ‘We’re a team.’

I look down at the parcel. ‘Let’s open this.’

She hands me some scissors. ‘I wonder what it could be.’

A customer comes in and orders a flat white. Laura starts to make their drink.

I pull out a silver, glittery notebook, and I gasp. ‘Oh, wow. That’s so beautiful.’ A little note falls out with it. ‘Oh, Laura, it’s from Chris,’ I gasp as ripples of excitement go through me.

She arches an eyebrow. ‘He knows you work here?’

I nod. ‘It’s on my Instagram.’

‘Well, Florence, that’s a lovely gift.’ She passes the customer their coffee.

I hug the notebook. Maybe Chris does have potential?

Laura picks up the envelope and studies the postal label. ‘He’s posted it locally.’

Her eyes travel to the back cover of the notebook. ‘He’s been to Devon.’

‘What?’ I turn over the notebook and gasp. On the back, in swirly writing, is a label that says Pixie Cove Bookshop, Pixie Cove, Devon.

‘That’s strange. I know that place.’

Laura squeals. ‘Oh, I love it when the universe starts sending synchronicities. This is a sign, Florence. Chris could be legit.’

I glance at her excited face. ‘This is weird.’