Page 28 of Date with Destiny

‘I just wish we’d had one conversation, one time, about what she would’ve wanted,’ she comments sadly. ‘We always seemed too young to talk about such awful things.’ She pauses. ‘I should’ve told everyone not to wear black, it’s so cliché,’ she tsks and I think back to this morning when she literally told me exactly what to wear, down to the earrings – and it was all black.

Celeste is very much back to herself since our cathartic yoga session a few days ago, and her mini-breakdown. Actually, she’s been moreCelestethan she’s ever been before – which means out of control controlling. But I’m giving her some leeway given her only sister is in a box over there. The good thing is that she’s got most of that Celeste shimmer back now. She’s returned to the OTT, performing monster we know and mostly love.

‘If it helps,’ Myfanwy grins wickedly as we all turn to her, ‘I’m wearing her favourite colour.’ She undoes her coat, throwing it open to reveal a bright yellow sun dress. Celeste bursts out laughing.

‘Thanks Myfe,’ she beams. ‘That does make me feel better. Diane always really loved you.’ She sighs, still smiling. ‘I should’ve had everyone wear yellow; it would’ve made her laugh a lot.’

‘I think that’s really inappropriate, actually, My-Fanny,’ Shawn pipes up self-importantly from his place beside Toni. He’s known Myfe for years now, but still aggressively gets her name wrong. Just one of the many things we appreciate about the guy.

‘If it helps, I think everyone looks great,’ Toni quickly jumps in as Myfanwy rolls her eyes. ‘And Diane wouldn’t care what people were wearing, she’d just be so touched by the turnout.’

We glance around at the packed room; the seats are all full, with mourners crowding into the aisle and jostling for space in the doorway. It’s standing room only. I spotZach Walliams standing towards the back and feel my heart squeeze in my chest. It’s so nice of him to come. Our eyes meet and we nod a greeting.

‘Are you doing OK?’ Myfanwy leans closer to take my hand and I drag my eyes away from Zach to smile at her gratefully.

‘I am,’ I tell her truthfully. I turn to the front where the coffin waits. It’s so bizarre to think my Aunt Diane is in there. Is she here in other ways, too? Watching us?

‘Do you believe in ghosts?’ I ask curiously.

‘Yes,’ she nods with certainty.

Of course she does. She’s so much more open than I am. Maybe I should be more open. Maybe I should try to believe in things.

‘Do you think she’s, like,here?’ I ask in a whisper before hastily adding, ‘I mean beyond being literallythere.’ I nod towards the coffin. Myfanwy swallows hard.

‘I do actually,’ she smiles softly. ‘And I think she’s loving seeing all these people who loved her.’ She pauses. ‘Speaking of turnout,’ she murmurs, ‘do you know if Daniel’s coming?’

I look down and shake my head. ‘I messaged him to let him know what had happened and mentioned the funeral details. He sent me a very kind reply, saying he was really sorry and how much he liked Diane – all that – but ignored any mention of the funeral.’

‘Well, fuck him,’ she says mildly. ‘And PS you look amazing, I didn’t even know you owned black earrings.’

‘They’re Celeste’s,’ I sigh, thinking again of this morning’s battle. ‘And thanks.’

‘Maybe you should try and find a date here,’ she comments drily, looking around the room with raised eyebrows. ‘There are a surprising number of men here, and they’re all pretty good-looking…’

I picture Zach all those rows back and suppress a snort. ‘That would be super classy, wouldn’t it? Trying to find a hook-up courtesy of my dead aunt. Imagine telling people about our adorable meet-cute!’

‘But you should be on the lookout,’ she reminds me. ‘Remember that you’re meant to be finding your soulmate this year.’ When I look away, she adds, ‘Three of the predictions have come true now – you have to start believing, surely?’

‘Maybe,’ I hedge.

She cocks her head. ‘You’re still up for trying the tarot reading, right?

I try not to pull a face. ‘Sure,’ I swallow, already dreading it. ‘And I’ve got my stone.’ I pat my pocket and she sniffs, irritated.

‘Crystal,’ she corrects me fondly. ‘And I was thinking we could have a look at your birth chart or nakshatra. Maybe there’s something in your stars to explain why you got singled out by that fortune teller. Maybe it was written in your future from minute one.’

‘Er, sure, maybe,’ I say, wondering what the hell a nakshatra is. I mean, I don’t really know what a birth chart is either, but at least they’re words I’m familiar with.

‘And you never know,’ Myfanwy shrugs. ‘It could give you a clue about your incoming soulmate.’ She elbows me gently.

‘What are you two whispering about?’ Celeste leans in.

‘How Ginny’s going to get laid today,’ Myfanwy informs her casually. I swat her arm with a mildhey.

‘Good idea!’ my mother pronounces, looking around not at all discreetly. ‘There are so many attractive men here. So what if they’re a little older, age is just a number. I’ll start making enquiries after the service.’

‘Pleasedon’t!’ I beg, mortified. ‘Myfanwy was just joking around, honestly.’ Celeste ignores me and I add beseechingly, ‘Really, Mum, please promise me you won’t! I’m really not ready for anything like that,honestly. I was supposed to be getting married last month! I haven’t even cancelled the honeymoon in a few weeks. I have to get over Daniel and get my life straight before I start dating. Please don’t start setting me up, promise?’

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