‘Ooh I do. And I think I will take it outside in my favourite chair,’ said Alice. ‘And make the most of this lovely weather.’
‘Coming up,’ said Declan as he followed Jess to the kitchen.
Jess brought the tea out to Alice, along with a throw for over her legs as the afternoon grew a little cooler.
Alice heard the voices of Declan and Jess grow distant as she felt her eyes grow heavy on that bright April afternoon, sitting in her favourite chair.
She began to dream of herself and George dancing together at the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool, a place they would frequent in their younger years.
As they took to the floor, a band played their favourite song and a spotlight shone down on them. She was wearing her favourite red dress, and George was wearing a navy suit. She felt like Ginger Rogers dancing with Fred Astaire as a mesmerised audience looked on.
Bathed in the light, Alice felt a warm glow wash over her body. As George twirled her around, a slow smile spread across her face and she felt at peace.
‘I’m coming to see you, my darling,’ she whispered as she closed her eyes. ‘I think my work here is done.’
SEVENTY-TWO
JESS
There were ten people in the church for the funeral of Alice Bennett, but there was more love in the room than if there had been a thousand mourners.
Jess had choked back tears when she watched Alice’s sister being pushed along in her wheelchair by one of her sons to the front of the church. The family had travelled up for the funeral and would be staying at a hotel overnight.
They listened to the words of the vicar in front of the light-oak coffin, laid with a wreath of Alice’s favourite lilies.
Declan had decided to write a eulogy, and as he stood at the pulpit and began to read, Jess felt a surge of pride.
He talked of how Alice had brought them all together, and how he would never forget her.
‘I knocked her off her feet when we first met,’ he told the small congregation. ‘Luckily she forgave me.’ He smiled. ‘In fact, she invited me inside. I had been in a bad mood that day,’ he said, recalling the disastrous interview. ‘But I left with a smile on my face,’ he said, his voice breaking. ‘But that was Alice all over. She had a knack of making you feel better. She was wise, kind and beautiful. And she loved her family, who she often spoke of,’he said, directing his gaze at her loved ones. ‘We may be few in numbers here today, but Alice was truly loved.’
He talked a little more of her character, as he glanced towards the framed photo of her on the coffin.
Alice’s sister quietly sobbed as Jess felt the tears roll down her cheek.
Jess thought of one of Alice’s sayings then. ‘Less is more,’ she would say if something seemed a little overdone. Never more so than today with the quiet, dignified service, befitting of such a gracious lady. She could hardly bear the thought of never seeing her again.
‘So today, in this stillness we honour you, Alice Bennett,’ said Declan. ‘You meant the world to those that mattered. You were seen. You were heard. You will never be forgotten.’
‘Never.’ Jess sniffed as Mark gave her hand a little squeeze.
As they filed out of the crematorium to the strains of Alice’s favourite hymn, chosen by her sister, Jess was sure she would not be the only one who would miss having Alice around. A light had gone out in all of their lives. They would make sure her memory lived on.
EPILOGUE
‘Are you sure you have never been salsa dancing before?’
‘I swear,’ replied Mark as he passed some garlic bread to Declan. ‘I guess I must just be a natural.’
The friends were in Alice’s old apartment enjoying a late lunch and raising a glass to Alice.
Mark and Carol had been dancing at the community centre the previous evening, and it seemed Mark really did have a natural talent. Carol was thrilled at how much he had come out of his shell of late. She was certain that if he had gone alone he would have had a line of willing female partners to dance with.
They all raised a glass to Alice as they enjoyed their meal.
‘To think this is where it all began,’ said Declan. ‘We might never have got together had Alice not invited us to dinner.’
‘I’m not sure we would have,’ agreed Jess. ‘It makes you think, though, doesn’t it? Sometimes it only takes one person to change your life.’
