Page 3 of Will You Stay Another Day?
That wasn’t going to happen. As if someone could text from the dead.
But the screen flashed. Lili’s eyes widened as she read the message.
Now don’t you cry!
2
Lili looked at the calendar on the wall, downstairs in Ware & Care, the charity shop she’d worked in for almost four years. The sun was about to set on 18 October, the date she’d felt prepared for in recent weeks, life feeling more anchored than it had in a long time, especially during that visit to Em’s parents last night. But then everything changed when those texts arrived.
Lili and Em would have been getting excited about Halloween by now, the horror movies, the themed snacks and drinks. But this year Halloween was the anniversary of Em’s funeral – the service at least.
What if it hadn’t been her body taken for burial?
No! She wouldn’t listen to the nonsensical thoughts that had whirred through her head all last night. Perhaps Em’s number had been given to someone else. But Lili was sure someone had told her Em’s mobile network operator took the numbers of people who’d passed out of service, out of respect.
The doorbell jingled and for the umpteenth time that day Lili’s heart pounded. But she knew there was no way Em was back in Cornwall. A couple walked in. Despite the busyness a Saturday brought, she looked out of the window and scoured the pavement, kidding herself that she wasn’t searching for her friend’s shock of colourful hair and cocky walk. She hadn’t tasted lunch, had burnt her tongue on coffee, nearly gave out too much change and almost tripped over a customer’s guide dog. They’d have so much to catch up on! Like that final season of The Umbrella Academy, political elections, and those garlic-bread-flavoured chocolate bars the newsagents couldn’t get rid of. Had Em’s low mood passed? The doctor had offered Em anti-depressants during the months before her death. She’d been down after breaking up with that idiot, Sean, the first guy to ever mean more to her than simple fun. But Em had worried the tablets would dampen her natural spirit, unable to see that had already happened.
Lili gritted her teeth. Someone going straight to the punchline of the Knock Knock joke didn’t prove a thing. She folded her arms, forcing herself not to jump up and down hollering with joy, an impulsive urge that sent adrenaline rushing through her veins, as if she were stood on a surfboard riding a steep wave.
But what if?
She wouldn’t text back again until after work, after she’d had time to calm down and let common sense prevail.
Lili focused on tidying a pile of information leaflets by the till. Ware & Care had been set up seventeen years ago to fight UK poverty. It ran foodbanks across the South West, also handing out free clothes and homeware. The shop’s buttercup yellow and white front made it feel warm and inviting, even on Cornwall’s most rainy days. Back in Manchester, young Lili and Em had worked together in an Oxfam shop. Em left as soon as they’d completed enough hours for the volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh award. She’d then got a job at a crystal shop, in Afflecks indoor market, after sixth-form college – whereas Lili stayed on at Oxfam, switching to a full-time paid position there after A levels, until she and Em went travelling. She’d loved everything about the position. Helping customers was a big part of it.
Her fingers flexed. It wouldn’t harm to reply to that text now. She’d waited long enough. However, the door jingled again and pensioner Glenda entered. She often popped by in the winter, after spending the afternoon in the village’s library to keep warm.
‘How are you today?’ Lili asked as Glenda came over, bright red lipstick on and a matching light jacket, dyed blonde hair completing the glamorous look. It was only up close the bags under her eyes and frayed cuffs of the jacket became apparent.
‘You know me, love, I never complain.’
They looked at each other and grinned.
‘My hip’s playing up and the new neighbour played rap until three this morning. He’s a selfish bugger.’ Thick foundation on her face exaggerated the lines as she frowned. ‘But apart from that everything’s tickety-boo. My nephew’s taking me to an eightieth birthday bash this evening.’
‘How is Simon coping now, after the divorce?’
‘He’s got a date through Bumble, whatever that is, determined not to be single for the festive season. Bloody silly name if you ask me. Drone bees don’t have girlfriends; they only mate with the queen.’ Her eye twinkled. ‘Sure you don’t want me to give you his number?’
Ignoring the question Glenda had asked before, Lili rolled her eyes in a friendly manner. She was far too busy for a committed relationship, happy to go on dates but staying single. Em had agreed whilst they’d travelled, whilst they’d pursued their careers – until she’d met Sean, the liar.
‘And how are you, dear?’ Glenda asked gently, not saying the obvious. She’d gone to Em’s funeral, being a customer of Crystoffees when she could afford coffee and cake out. Em used to work there.
I don’t know. Fine! Scared! Elated! Confused!
‘I’m okay,’ she said and pointed to a rail, keen to move on. ‘That full-length anorak has just come in. Looks brand new. I reckon it will be snapped up when the weather turns colder, especially as it’s a festive plum colour. And there are a couple of new romances on the bookshelf.’ Glenda’s face lit up and she went to investigate.
Not all customers came in because money was tight. Some sought out a vintage or antique piece out of admiration or to sell on eBay for a profit. Dustbin bags of donations were like unopened treasure chests to Lili, with the ornate pottery, old embossed book covers, and the quirky fashion items Em loved to hear about. One person’s junk was another person’s jewel.
As she studied the window display, Lili’s fingers ran over her phone in her pocket and she was just about to take it out when…
‘I’ve set out the newly priced goods. What shall I do now?’
Lili turned to face dimples and a sun-tanned face. Meg was her only full-time worker, twenty-one and saving hard to fulfil her dream of opening an online vintage clothes shop. Today Meg wore a 40s-style tea dress with a cardigan and her hair tied up with a scarf. Lili stood in her usual uniform of smart jeans and a top. Glenda had left, wearing her new coat, and the shop was empty now.
‘There’s only ten minutes left.’ Only ten minutes until she could reply to that Knock Knock text. ‘You might as well head off. Good job today. Are you out clubbing with Zoe tonight?’
‘No. We broke up.’ Meg sighed. ‘Apparently I’ve got no filter. Just because I said her trousers looked tight. She didn’t look comfortable and I said we should go shopping for a bigger size. It’s best to be honest, right? But she flipped. I even bought her chocolates as an apology.’
