Page 80 of The Time of My Afterlife

Mr Beaver looks at me. ‘I didn’t know that. I moved away a long time ago.’ He takes a moment to compose himself. ‘I’ve been in love with her since we met when she was sixteen. We used to dance together.’

I gulp.

‘When she told me she was marrying her boss, I felt my heart break into two. It never healed.’

‘Sorry, Mr Beaver,’ soothes Florence. ‘That must have been hard.’

He fishes out a hankie from his sleeve and dabs away at his wet cheeks. ‘It made me so angry. I’ve been upset about it for years.’

‘Did you ever marry, Mr Beaver?’ Florence asks.

He shakes his head. ‘How could I marry someone else after meeting the love of my life?’

‘Is that why you have been a… excuse my language,’ she says, ‘a grumpy old sod for years?’

I can’t believe she’s just said that to Mr Beaver.

He looks at her. ‘You always had a way with words, Florence Hill. In answer to your question – yes.’

I stare at him in shock. That’s what Pearl needs to hear.

‘Did you know Clark came to visit you in the hospital once?’

He looks at me and nods. ‘I did, but I was too angry to thank you, Clark.’

Words jostle on my tongue, but I can’t push them out.

‘You held my hand, Clark.’

Florence is gazing at me. I gulp back a wave of emotion.

‘You made me feel like someone cared,’ Mr Beaver continues.

My eyes have become watery. He picks up his cup. ‘I will always be grateful.’

‘Right then,’ says Florence. ‘How are we going to reunite you and Pearl?’

Mr Beaver puts down his cup. ‘You’ll have to bring her here. I will be waiting.’

I look at Florence, and she smiles. It’s a different sort of smile. For the first time, it reaches her eyes and takes over her whole face.

We leave Mr Beaver’s house bursting with optimism.

Once inside my car, she turns to me and says, ‘I’ve seen a whole new side to you, Clark.’

The fluttering in my chest returns, and this time I don’t question or suppress it.

She holds my gaze, and I think back to that moment we had in the bookshop. I wanted to kiss her so badly.

The journey back is full of banter, jokes and Florence giving me feedback on my favourite playlist. Time slips by with ease, and soon we’re pulling up outside my house.

‘Thanks for that,’ she says, before opening her door. ‘I enjoyed myself.’

‘Shall we go deliver the good news to Pearl?’

Something flickers across her face. ‘What if Pearl wants to visit him tomorrow?’

I shrug. ‘I’ll take her. You have the café.’