Page 67 of Lost Luggage
‘That’s so cool,’ said Phoebe. ‘I’d be jealous if I wasn’t focusing on an exciting project of my own. Being friends with Zoe, and the trip to Paris, have reminded me of how very much I love books. Zoe’s told me all about her bookselling career and I’ve enjoyed working in retail. Uni isn’t for me, not at the moment – who knows, I might go back one day, but my dream, right now, what my gut’s telling me, is to find a job in a bookshop and try to work my way up.’
‘Oh sweetheart, that’s perfect,’ said Dolly.
‘Phoebs, that sounds like a plan, lass.’ Fred beamed from ear to ear.
‘If it wasn’t for insects, that would be my ideal job too,’ said Flo. Phoebe explained to her about the writing and reading clubs Zoe had set up in previous jobs, whilst Leroy put on another tune.
Dolly’s foot tapped to the music. Puerto Rico? She and Fred had talked about visiting other European countries, trying to come up with a place that he hadn’t visited yet. The Caribbean would be a first for both of them. With the heat and the bugs at that time of year, it would certainly push them out of their comfort zones. Because that’s what their list of firsts was all about… not just doing enjoyable things like seeing the Northern Lights or eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Punting in Cambridge might not sound reckless but both of them had lost their sense of balance as the decades passed. Then there was a ghost-hunting trip at night, in York – neither Dolly nor Fred had ever been able to sit through horror movies. Seeing the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto was a big one, the culture of that city, the food, navigating their way around a place where very few people spoke English. They’d collated a long list of challenges together and were in the process of narrowing them down. Going up in a hot air balloon for real might be the first one for June.
The song ‘More, More, More’ came on and Leroy put his arms around Phoebe’s and Fred’s shoulders. Flo pulled Dolly away from the goldfish tank and they joined the circle, the five of them dancing in time to the music and singing the chorus.
As another verse began, Dolly glanced at Leroy. The lost luggage and everything that had happened since finding it, everything they’d achieved since last Christmas, had unbroken both their shattered hearts. He gave a barely perceptible smile, just for her. Eyes pricking, she gave a nod back. Unable to resist any longer, her hands clapped in time to the music. Everyone else joined in, forgetting it might be too loud for the fish.
Dolly didn’t think they would mind, Maurice and Fanny were probably too busy celebrating. Once the fishes’ news was out her friends’ cheers would no doubt shake the bungalow’s foundations. With all the jubilee arrangements, the yellow dots on the bottom of the tank hadn’t registered, not until a few moments ago, when Dolly had taken a proper look at the cluster of something very special.
A brand new future was about to hatch.
