‘Well, you’d miss me, of course, but you’d be fine.’
‘Would I? You sound very certain.’
‘Yes! Because you’d realise how lucky we were to have had each other and I’m sure – like me – you wouldn’t trade the time we get for anything else in the whole wide world. Besides, it would do us a great disservice, wouldn’t it, if the one left behind spent the rest of their time in misery and regret – that would be like taking a big chunk of our happiness and turning it into something else. Instead of celebrating the fact that we love each other no matter what. That would be a rotten thing to do. So yes, you’d be fine. And I’d be fine, if the boot was on the other foot. Eventually’.
‘Eventually’, he echoed.
It was when Jane trembled in his grip and his own body shook that he knew it was coming to an end.
And just like that, his arms were empty.
Still he sat, as though she were present, trying to conjure the warmth of her being against him. It had been the most beautiful, beautiful gift – and something he knew he’d never forget.
His tears – when they came – were not of the angry kind which he had grown used to but were instead tinged with something that felt a lot like joy. Happy tears! Because Jane, hisbeautiful wife, was right. Living a life cloaked in grief would be like taking a big chunk of their happiness and turning it into something else, what a rotten thing to do.
‘Wow!’ he wiped his face and spoke aloud into the ether, ‘I don’t know what to say, apart from thank you, Chen. Thank you!’
Lewis had slept soundly, this itself a rarity. Throwing open the windows of his bedroom, he stripped the bed linen to wash. Gathering his phone before heading out for a long overdue run, he put a call into his mother-in-law.
‘Everything all right, Lew?’ The note of concern in her tone was evident, and he understood. It was rare for him to get in touch.
‘Yep, everything’s fine, Margaret,’ he smiled. ‘I was just wondering if I could come and have me dinner with you tonight. I really fancy a home-cooked meal, or, more specifically, a home-cooked meal that is cooked by anyone other than me! Still not got the hang of it really.’
‘Oh! Oh, Lew!’ There was no disguising the emotion in her voice. ‘That would be… that would be just marvellous! I’d love it! I’ll get your favourite, a roast with all the trimmings! I’ll see if Melissa and the kids are free, they’d love to see you, I know.’
‘Great. I’ll see you later then.’
‘Yes! Yes, love! I’ll see you later.’
Standing now in front of the photograph of he and Jane on their wedding day, Lewis didn’t close his eyes, but instead stared at her, giving silent thanks for the love they shared and would continue to share, no matter what.
Chapter Four - Ruby Jade Brown
Aged 23
Harborne, Birmingham
‘See you Monday!’ Ruby waved to the group of girls who stood arm in arm, high heels planted in puddles, hair worked loose from ties and blouse buttons undone, trying to counter the heat of the club.
‘We love you, Rubes!’ Daisy called.
Nadia chimed in with the same, ‘Yeah, we love you!’
‘Love you guys too!’ she laughed as she climbed into the back of the taxi and buckled up.
These were the best nights. The ones that happened without too much planning or forethought. Nights when laughter was high on the agenda and nearly everything was funny! When she thought no further ahead than the contents of her cocktail glass, the music was loud and she could dance, arms aloft, eyes closed, her friends close by. Glorious moments of happy escape.
‘Earls Court Road?’
‘That’s the one. Yes, thank you.’ She always used the same minicab company, booking ahead, understanding there was safety in it. The familiarity. The routine. Plus, it made her mum happy.
‘You know how you’re getting home?’
‘I do, Mum. Please don’t wait up, there’s no need. I’ll see you in the morning.’
This, however, was a new driver, one she hadn’t seen before. He smiled at her in the ‘rearview mirror. A nice face, smiley.
‘Do you mind if I open the window a bit?’
