Page 19 of The Last Bench

Fifteen

Anne

Once the decision was made, everything unfolded swiftly, as John planned. When they dropped him off at the end of his lane, they’d half expected Hinges to lunge at them, but other than shouting a few expletives he hurried towards his house.

They drove home in silence. When they got in, Anne prepared a tray with the promised casserole so they could eat on their laps while watching TV. They’d missed the news unfortunately, but maybe that was a good thing, as they’d had enough excitement for one night. They called the girls and asked them to come home at the weekend. Mary and Frances were unsure at first, saying they had plans, but eventually agreed when they heard their parents’ excitement at renewing their tradition of a yearly barbecue.

Michael didn’t answer their call. Voicemail was the closest they got to him these days. But they’d left a heartfelt message, pleading with him to give them another chance. The family needed him. And they believed he needed them too. Anne didn’t hold much hope, but perhaps, soon, he’d realise that they all could be together without it being too painful.

Anne and John decided they’d prepare a feast – they’d put music on, and make sure that the weekend was full of laughter and love. They’d find a way to create new memories.

The following morning, John woke Anne with a loving kiss. His face was bright, his eyes shining. ‘I had the nicest dream last night. We were all at Powerscourt.’

‘The Japanese garden,’ Anne said, smiling.

‘Yes. And it was simply beautiful, watching Margaret walk down the aisle with blossoms in her hair. And when I woke up I knew what we should do!’

‘What, my love?’

‘We need to buy a cherry-blossom tree and plant it in her honour.’

‘A tree for Margaret. Oh, I love that idea. Where will we plant it?’

‘I’m not sure. Somewhere in our garden, pride of place, so we can look at it every day and remember her. I’ll go down to the garden centre to buy one.’

Anne reached over and pulled John towards her to plant a kiss on his lips. ‘Buy a mature tree. Don’t take any chances on a young tree that might break in a storm.’

‘No expense spared!’ John agreed with a smile. ‘We can show the girls when they come down in the morning.’

‘While you do that, I’ll start working on what we’ll need for the barbecue. I’ll make a list!’ She made a sheepish face, thinking of the list she’d shown him the day before. It all felt so silly now. What had she been thinking? Taking on a drug dealer. Her? Her mouth started to twitch. ‘Can you imagine Mary and Frances’s faces, if you told them what I’d done? They’d never believe it!’ Anne spluttered out.

‘Stop!’ John said, shaking his head. ‘We can never tell anyone!’

Anne might not have had the outcome she’d hoped she would yesterday, but somehow it had helped all the same. She felt changed by the encounter. Stronger.

After breakfast, John left for the garden centre and Anne turned her attention to cleaning. She started by changing all the bed linen in the bedrooms, dusting the dressers and mirrors. Then, satisfied that it looked perfect, she decided that a cup of coffee would do nicely as she began making her list for the weekend’s groceries.

Singing softly, she walked into the kitchen.

But a hand grabbed her roughly, and before she realised what was happening she was in a headlock, unable to move.

She smelled him before she saw him.

Hinges was back.

Sixteen

Anne

7 April 2025

Almost twenty-eight years had passed since they’d planted that first tree, and now it was unrecognisable. It had flourished, growing stronger each year; its roots deep into the ground. Now, it stood nearly seven metres high, and this year its double pink cherry blossoms cascaded over a dark and fissured bark.

‘The blossoms look like a fountain,’ Vega said.

‘This is our only weeping kiku cherry tree. We call it Margaret’s tree, because we planted it for her.’ Anne’s voice quivered with emotion.

And beneath the low branches was the fourth wooden slatted bench – two metres long, with its grain stained to a rich dark brown.