She thought of Liam then, and his comment about her giving her money to a cats’ charity if she desired.
Her nephews really were polar opposites, she thought to herself, as she slid the handwritten notes into the pink envelopes that she would post through the doors of her friends and neighbours. Thankfully they were both good people. Callum had always desired the best of everything even as a child, whilst Liam preferred to have his nose in a good book, when she thought about it.
Just then, as if breaking into her thoughts, her phone rang and Callum’s face appeared on the screen.
‘Press the camera,’ he instructed her when he could hear her voice but could not see her face.
‘Oh right, there we are.’ She laughed when her face appeared in the corner of her screen. ‘I am not sure I will ever get the hang of this.’
‘You are getting better,’ Callum assured her. ‘Anyway, I just thought I would ring and tell you that we got the flooring contract for the arena.’ He smiled broadly.
‘That is wonderful news,’ said Alice. ‘Really it is, well done.’
‘Thanks. So, it means I will see you again soon. And next time dinner is on me.’ He grinned.
‘I shall look forward to it,’ said a delighted Alice.
‘So what are you up to today, then?’ he asked breezily.
Mark had knocked earlier and surprised her with the offer of a day out to Sefton Park. She told Callum this.
‘Sounds good. I remember going there with you and Uncle George. Did we go on a boat on the lake?’ he asked her.
‘Probably yes, although I am not sure if that is still a thing. The Palm House is still there, though.’
These days the Victorian glass building was hired as a venue for all kinds of things, including weddings and concerts by candlelight. When Callum and Liam were young it had merely been a botanical conservatory, filled with exotic plants. They were removed in the nineteen eighties, and the Palm House had fallen into disrepair and been closed.
Thankfully some community fundraising had seen the building fully restored almost ten years later, much to the delight of Alice. As well as the plants, the Palm House also displayed bronze statues of famous people, including the explorer James Cook.
Callum told Alice about his forthcoming weekend plans, that included going to watch a show in the West End. ‘Top-tier tickets. We have booked a meal for Nobu afterwards too,’ he told her.
‘Is it a special occasion?’ asked Alice, wondering whether she had missed a birthday or wedding anniversary.
‘No, not really. But it is the weekend, and I guess I am celebrating the new contract,’ he explained.
Alice suspected the bonus paid from securing the flooring contract would not remain in his bank account for very long.
‘Well, have a wonderful time,’ she told him genuinely.
‘Thanks, Auntie Alice. I am sure we will.’
Alice had come to realise that life was far too short to live it any other way than how your heart desired.
FIFTY-NINE
ALICE
The memories came rushing back to Alice, as they always did when she entered Sefton Park.
If she closed her eyes she could see herself and George on the lake, him rowing and her sitting back doing her best to look glamorous, wafting a fan in front of her on a hot day.Poor George doing all that work, she thought to herself with a smile on her face.
The park was busy with joggers, dog walkers and couples strolling along enjoying the autumn sunshine. The only children in the park today were toddlers, or babies fastened into prams as older children would have been in school.
They strolled along the Victorian park, enjoying the serpentine paths and open lawns. They passed a fountain on a lake and Mark asked Alice if she wanted to sit down on a bench nearby.
‘I’ll tell you what, let’s make it to the café and I will treat you to an ice cream,’ said Alice good-naturedly.
‘If you’re sure, then let’s do it,’ said Mark.
