“Is your mother still on her cruise?” I ask, wondering how it’s possible that Larry’s mother doesn’t seem to care that her sister was murdered.
“Yes,” Larry replies with a sigh. “She’s somewhere in the Baltics, I think.” She goes quiet for a moment. “Oh god, I’ve just realised what the time is. I’m sorry for calling you so late. I’ve been doing so many shifts at weird hours lately, I’ve lost track of my days. I can call you back tomorrow.”
“No, it's fine,” I assure her.
“The reason I’m calling is because Mum isn’t coming back for the funeral, so I’m just going to go ahead with it because I don’t like the idea of Aunt Delores lying in some funeral home somewhere.”
“Of course you don’t,” I say gently. “You need closure.”
“Yes, I guess that’s it.” She blows out a breath. “I feel like she’s in limbo, that she can’t be at rest until she’s had a funeral.”
I wish it was that simple. Thank goodness Larry doesn’t actually know the truth about her aunt being trapped here until she resolves her unfinished business.
“Do you need some help organising the funeral?”
“That’s very kind of you, but actually it’s already organised. It’s going to be just a small gathering, and I was just wondering if you would come, maybe bring Martin?”
“Dad doesn’t do well with a change of environment, so I won’t be able to bring him, but I’ll come.”
“You will?” She breathes out in relief and I get the distinct impression there aren’t going to be many people there.
“Of course I will,” I tell her sincerely.
“It’s the day after tomorrow. I’ll send you the details,” she says, her voice a little lighter now.
“Okay then,” I reply. “Call me if I can help with anything.”
“I will.”
After we exchange goodbyes and hang up, I turn to Danny. “Larry asked if I could go to Mrs Abernathy’s funeral. I get the feeling there aren’t going to be many people there.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” he asks.
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all. It’s not the first time I’ve attended the funeral for a murder victim.”
“Oh… right… the investigation.” I don’t know why I suddenly feel disappointed. What is wrong with me? My moods are just all over the place at the moment.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Danny reaches for my hand. “I just—” he breaks off and my worry returns full force. It’s never this awkward between us.
“You wanted to ask me something before we were interrupted?” My stomach gives a nervous roll as I remind him of our conversation.
“Yes, I did.” He draws in a deep breath. “I don’t know if you want to, or you think it might be too soon, but when you started talking about your lease on your flat expiring and finding a new place to live… well I wondered if you might… maybe want to move in… with me… together.. the both of us.”
My heart skips a beat. This wasn’t what I was expecting him to say, but a lovely warmth starts spreading through me until I’m sure I’m glowing like a Roman candle. “You want me to move into your flat?”
“No… I mean yes, I want us to move in together, but not in my flat. I thought we could get somewhere new, somewhere that would be ours,” he explains hurriedly. “I know we’ve only been together for six months and some people might think that’s too soon.” He continues to speak quickly, as if the faster he talks the less chance I have to say no. Like that’s going to happen. Something exciting is dancing in my stomach as he offers me everything I’ve been thinking about for the past several days. Of course, it might just be hunger pangs because we didn’t get to actually eat dinner, but regardless, I can’t stop the slow grin spreading across my face.
“What do you think?” he asks nervously, which is adorable.
“Just to clarify,” I say as I feel the tension seep out of my body and confidence replace it. “You want to live with me even though I almost set fire to you, practically drowned you in red wine, and accidentally flung a butter knife at your head.”
He shrugs. “I’m willing to take my chances. So…”
“So?” I toss my phone down and launch myself at him, kissing him wildly as we fall back on the bed. “I… think… it’s… perfect.” I punctuate each word with a kiss as he laughs against my mouth. I pull back to stare into those deep blue eyes. “I’d love to live with you.”
His smile is like the sun dawning after an endless night and it’s everything.
