Page 95 of The Time of My Afterlife

The word lingers in my mind. I spend nearly every day in her café. Not only that but I always try to get her attention by lying and saying there’s something wrong with her coffee. Every time she has a boyfriend, I have secretly hated each one. It then dawned on me that I have been in love with Florence Hill all my life.

I am knocking on Florence’s door.

She answers, and for a few seconds we stand and stare at each other.

‘You’re early,’ she says quietly.

‘I couldn’t keep away.’ I take her hand and rub it. ‘You’re a million times more important to me than Margo.’

‘Really?’ She looks at me intently.

‘It’s always been you,’ I whisper, stroking her cheek. ‘You’ve been the one constant in my life. Our arguments have always given me another reason to talk to you. I can’t keep away from your café and when I am in there, I always find a reason to distract you. Florence, there is no one like you. I have come over here to say that I love you, I always have and I always will.’

She’s in my arms and we’re kissing each other like crazy. Her hands delve into my hair, and mine are around her waist. I am so turned on we nearly fall over on her doorstep. With a giggle, she pulls me inside, and we close the door behind us. I press her against the wall in her hallway. ‘Do you believe me now?’

With a smile, she nods, and we kiss again. If we fail the test and must spend eternity in that flat, at least we will be spending it wrapped in each other’s arms.

When we break for air, she leads me into the living room.

I sit down on her sofa and notice her phone has Jane’s podcast on the lock screen. ‘Have you been listening to The Lonely-Hearts podcast again?’

She nods. I think back to my conversation with Jane and realise I need to come clean. ‘I was at Jane’s house yesterday trying to apologise to Jack. I saw the email your mum sent to Jane.’

Something flickers across Florence’s face. I feel nervous.

‘You saw Mum’s email to Jane?’

I nod.

She’s staring at me. ‘You didn’t think to tell me?’

I don’t say anything.

Florence shakes her head. ‘Mum didn’t need to do that. She’s not lonely. I speak to her all the time. I need to convince her to stop seeing Steve.’

‘Why are you so against her and Steve?’

She sighs. ‘Because I am. I need to look out for her. Dad would have wanted that.’

I take her hand in mine. ‘Your dad would have wanted your mum to be happy.’

Tears roll her down her cheeks. ‘Yes, but Mum…’

I interrupt her. ‘Florence – your mum is lonely. The email she sent to Jane was heartbreaking.’

For a few moments she stops and stares at me.

‘She misses your dad, but she wants some company.’

It’s then I realise that it’s no use trying to convince her. She needs to speak to her mum.

I glance at the time. It’s mid-afternoon. Grabbing her hand, I get her door keys and guide her out of the house.

‘Where are we going?’ she asks.

‘You’ll find out. It’s time I took control.’

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