by Mat Ridley
“So you weren’t killed?”
“Not even wounded, not physically.” She went very quiet. “But it took me forever to get over losing you, Dan.”
I felt numb. “How many years did you… outlive me by?”
“Thirty-four. Long enough to raise Jonathan and see him join the Army, just like his father. You would have been so proud of him. He was a good lad.”
“But if I died thirty-four years before you did, how come you got to Heaven so far ahead of me? I mean, I know that you always found it easier to get on with God than I did, but was I really stuck in Purgatory for so long? Long enough for Jonathan to have lived his entire life, if he’s here already too?”
She ruffled my hair. “It messes with your head, doesn’t it? You’ve got to stop thinking like a human now that you’re an angel. Time doesn’t really mean the same thing anymore once you’re dead. You remember what it was like reliving your Earth life just before Purgatory began, the way different parts of it sped up and slowed down? Well, if you extrapolate that...”
“Let’s not,” I groaned. “If what you’re saying is true, there’ll be plenty of time for metaphysics and headaches later. Right now, I’m just pleased that I’m back with you again.”
“And that you’ve not been sent to Hell for an eternity of torture and damnation.”
“That too.” I dodged a playful punch aimed at my arm, but inside, I found that actually I was grateful to God, for the first time that I could remember; genuinely grateful, not just relieved that He had delivered me from some momentary crisis. After all my struggles against Him, He could very easily have given up on me the same way I had given up on Him; but instead, He had guided me home. Yes, home. That was exactly what it felt like. I hadn’t met God yet, but my initial anxiety was already soothed by a presence I felt in my heart. The spike of guilt I had felt earlier was already a distant memory.
I took a deep breath of the warm, fragrant air and looked into Jo’s smiling face. “Come on, then,” I said, “let’s go. I want to meet Jonathan and catch up with our friends. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, either, but I’m even looking forward to meeting God, too.”
“But you already have, Dan. Just look. He’s all around you.”
Acknowledgements
Apart from Daniel’s, the only other name on the front cover of this book is my own, but I wouldn’t have been able to write it without the assistance of the following top people. I am grateful to all of them for their contributions to what has been a very long, drawn-out process. In order of involvement –
To God, for the inspiration and opportunity to write the novel in the first place. Just as with Daniel, it’s not always been an easy journey, but—also just as with Daniel—He’s always been there to help me through to the other side.
To my wife, Beatrix, for her unfailing support and encouragement, not just in connection with this book, but with everything. I do not know how she does it, but I sure am glad that she does.
To my “beta readers” for the time that they spent reading the various draft versions of the novel, and for their invaluable feedback—some of which I even listened to. Hats off to Liz Aspinall, Alison Burling, Rev Simon Oliver, Carol Reekie, Mike Ridley and Rev Canon Angela Tilby. I really appreciate your time and help!
To my editor, David Gatewood, for pulling out all the grammatical weeds from the garden—the manure was all my own work—and for being so patient and good-natured along with it. If you ever need an editor, David is your man. Find him at www.lonetrout.com.
To the extremely talented Jason Gurley, for the awesome cover art. Please do judge this book by its cover, and do also check out his other fantastic work at www.jasongurley.com.
To you, dear reader, for actually having read the book. I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, please tell your friends or post a review somewhere, and keep an eye on www.matridley.com for my other work. But be patient… and have faith.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Acknowledgements