Ms. Fernsby sips her milk, staring at the urn.
Prince Albert died at about the same age as Philip. In addition to wearing widow’s weeds the rest of her life, Queen Victoria slept with a plaster cast of Albert’s hand nightly. Most scholars believe she and Albert had an affectionate marriage. As a widow, she lived under far more pressure than I do. I just have to keep it together for Heathcliff. She had to keep it together for all of England. Surely,shefell apart sometimes? In those sleepless early hours of the morning, I can’t imagine she didn’t scream into her pillow and clutch that plaster cast. Surely, she chewed out at least one poor lady-in-waiting for misplacing the plaster hand.
“You’re right, Lizzie.”
“About what?”
“That the separation is awful, and you never—at least on this side—will know for certain where your Philip is. But you’ll feel a little better each day. You’ll realize you like a song you haven’t liked since losing him. You’ll remember how much you loved your favorite cake. You will, gradually, in spits and starts, come back to life.”
Come back to life.
“I really think, Lizzie, that’s why you’re here. You think Philip took a bit of you to the grave. Your heart’s broken and lying to you about that part. But you’re fully alive. Your heart just needs to catch up and realize that grief doesn’t mean you’re not still living.”
“I really do want to come back to life.”
“I know, Lizzie.”
We’re quiet for a few seconds; I chew a shortbread cookie and stare at the urn.
“I have someone I want you to meet,” Ms. Fernsby says carefully.
“Thank you, but no. I’m in mourning, and I’m really not supposed to date yet...”
“What? Who says there’s a proper time frame? Well... we can talk about that another time. This isn’t a date. I want you to meet a friend who I think could help you.”
“A therapist?”
“I suppose you could say that, luv. She works in the same way. I don’t want to say too much else about her now. And don’t worry about Heathie. My Mabel will take good care of him while we’re out.”
@ADHemming’s Social Media Poll:
Hullo, Chadwick Hall fans!!! Getting ready to write the third book, and who should his next love interest be?
A Femme Fatale
Another Hot Partner
A Sexy Widow
RESULTS:113 for Femme Fatale; 115 for Hot Partner; and 150 for Sexy Widow
@ADHemmings:Thank you, fans! Sexy Widow it is! Now back to writing?
@BluestockingBadass:Forgive me if I’m underwhelmed @ADHemmings. Brainy women everywhere can’t wait for another string of poorly written misogynistic love scenes where all sexual pleasure will be for and about Chadwick Hall. #misogyny #blah
15
The next morning, I’m finishing up my coffee and eating a piece of Ms. Fernsby’s steaming mushroom quiche when my phone dings.
Chloe:Can I stop being a priest for one minute?
Me:Go for it
Chloe:Is this FUCKING REAL??? *Lizzie and August’s selfie*
Me:Guilty?
Chloe:Wow! If I didn’t have to clean baby poo off my blouse and plan out my Sunday sermon, I’d call you now. Promise you’ll spill all the tea when you get back.
