“No Jess today?” Brenda asked.
He commenced a round offaire la bise.“I’m afraid not,” he said, cheek kissing finally over with. “But I do come bearing gifts.”
“Really?” Flick said.
Pete smiled. “Come on. Follow me.”
Flick and her mum did as they were told and shadowed him back round to the front of the chateau.
“You’ve still got the hearse, I see,” Brenda said.
Pete smiled. “Of course. And she’s coming in very handy, I have to say.”
Intrigued, both women watched him head for the front passenger seat and pull out some sort of wheel-based contraption. It reminded Flick of a folded-down pram frame, but she couldn’t think why anyone would want one of those. She leaned towards her mum. “What is it?” Flick asked, as he set it on the ground.
Brenda shrugged. “I’m sure we’re about to find out.”
Continuing to observe him, Pete produced what looked like a remote key fob from his pocket. He seemed very proud as he placed it flat on his palm. “Are you ready?” he asked, reminiscent of some magician about to do a magic trick. The two women nodded and he made a show of using his index finger to press the button, enabling the contraption to both rise and unfold at the same time.
“Oh, Lordy,” Flick said, realisation dawning.
“You managed to get your coffin trolley then?” Brenda called out, chuckling as she stated what was obvious.
“Isn’t it fantastic. It’s surprising what you can buy over the internet these days.”
Like a child with a new toy, Pete used the button to manoeuvre it towards the back of the hearse, but he clearly hadn’t got the knack. And forced to stifle her giggles, Flick watched it swing first to the left and then to the right. As if refusing to maintain the necessary straight line, the thing seemed to have a life of its own.
“Sod it.” Finally giving up, Pete simply pushed the trolley instead.
“That’s not a body, is it?” Brenda asked.
Curious, Flick’s eyes widened as he began hauling what looked like a shrouded figure out of the vehicle and onto his trolley, her intrigue continuing as he began wheeling it towards them. And careful to keep it hidden under its sheet as he tipped it into an upright position, she watched Pete compose himself. He obviously saw this as some big reveal.
“Ready?” he asked his audience once more.
Flick and her mother nodded again and in one swift movement, he pulled the shroud away.
Flick stared in amazement. Taking in the wooden sculpture, with its long flowing hair and giant heart-shaped wings, it was the most beautiful angel she’d ever seen. “It’s stunning,” she said, reaching up to touch the perfectly smooth surface where her face should be.
“Wow!” Brenda said. “She’s beautiful.”
“I don’t have to tell you who it’s from,” Pete said. “But just in case.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Flick before stepping back.
“Thank you,” she said, not quite sure what to make of it all.
Her hands shook as she looked down at her name neatly written on the front. Opening it, she didn’t have a clue what to expect. Not that she needed to worry; as soon as she saw Nate’s words she felt her eyes light up. Her heart skipped as she digested his simple message –I’m sorry.Please forgive me.Maybe she’d been right to live in hope.
“We’ve all told him what an idiot he’s been,” Pete said. “Just so you know.”
Flick let out a laugh, appreciating the body of support. “That’s very kind of everyone.” She suddenly heard her father’s voice, as he again insisted she follow his lead.
Embrace life. Take a risk,he seemed to say.What have you got to lose?
She looked from the note to her mum, who appeared to understand.
“Go!”
Flick smiled as she shoved the envelope into her mother’s hand. “Are you sure?” she asked. After all, the trouble with Nate had affected both of them.
