by Evelyn Amber
Minnie was on her red sofa, staring into the fireplace, her hands crossed against her knees. Alice thought she hadn’t noticed her arrival until she cast her bloodshot eyes her way. She tried to smile, but her lips merely twitched.
“The car will be here soon,” Minnie finally spoke as she looked at the grandfather clock. “We better wait outside.”
“Come on then,” Alice said, holding her hand out for Minnie.
Minnie didn’t seem to notice and stood on her own. Once she was up, she wiped non-existent lint from the front of her black dress and tugged at the hem softly.
Alice went outside and waited. Although there was no breeze, there was also no warmth in the air. It was a far cry from the spring the residents of Ashbrook were used to. The temperature had dropped over the past week and Alice wondered if the warm days they had experienced were long gone. It felt like the remnants of winter were clinging onto the quiet town.
Luckily, they didn’t have to wait long. The car to take them to St. Wilson’s Church and cemetery pulled up, and the driver stepped out before opening the back door.
Minnie stared emptily at the car before shrinking into the wall. Alice grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
“It’s going to be okay,” Alice promised, looking deep in her eyes.
Minnie swallowed and nodded before standing straight. They walked to the car, the soft clicking of their heels and the murmur of the car’s engine the only things Alice could hear as her heart thumped in her chest. If she felt like this, she could only imagine how Minnie felt.
Minnie didn’t say a word during their short drive to the church. She stared blankly out the window the whole journey.
The crowd of sympathetic mourners turned to stare at them as they stepped out of the car. Alice spotted Barry, the only one in the crowd not looking in their direction. Instead, his face sagged down to his shoes. Alice was at least grateful that he’d appeared to have washed and shaved.
The clouds loomed darkly overhead, the ancient gravestones casting long shadows over the grass. The trees blew ominously in the wind and even the pinks of the newly blossomed flowers looked dull. It wasn’t any colder than it had been back at Minnie’s house, but Alice wrapped her shawl tighter around her.
Alice walked behind her friend, feeling awkward as everyone carried on staring at them. She looked around and noticed something light from the corner of her eye off in the distance. She stopped and narrowed her eyes towards the trees at the far end of the graveyard. Her vision blurred from the strain. If it weren’t for the contrast of the day and the white hair, she wouldn’t have paid them much attention, but she knew exactly who it was.
Faith’s signature hair blew gracefully in the wind as she looked at the church. She noticed Alice staring and hid behind the tree. Minnie turned and looked in the same direction as Alice.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
Alice moved her gaze away from the tree and back to Minnie, shaking her head. If her best friend knew Faith was there, there’d be hell to pay. She was frustrated that Faith had stuck around after promising to leave, even if a part of her understood why. For Minnie’s sake, she hoped Faith would be respectful enough to keep her distance and not draw any attention.
The coffin floated on the shoulders of suited men through the crowd and into the church. Alice glanced at Barry again, but he was still fascinated with his shoes. Thomas had appeared, looming over Barry’s shoulder as he looked on. To any onlooker, Thomas would have looked like any ordinary man paying his respects, but she felt like he was there for other reasons, mainly to keep an eye on Barry.
She took her seat next to Minnie at the front of the church. They stared ahead as the residents of Ashbrook whispered behind them. She heard words of pity for Minnie and questions about Trevor’s death, but Alice tried her best to ignore them. She was glad when the vicar started his eulogy because everyone finally quietened down.
People sniffled throughout the service. Alice glanced around every so often and noticed that some people were even dabbing their eyes.
She wasn’t surprised that people felt so strongly. Trevor had been well-liked. The only people who appeared unaffected were Barry and Thomas. Alice was disturbed by the way the two men stared on soullessly, both of them looking as though they were preoccupied with more important thoughts.
When it was announced that Minnie would deliver a speech, Alice could have heard a pin drop. Minnie’s eyes locked with Alice’s, her fear obvious. Alice gave her a reassuring nod, hoping it would help while knowing it didn’t change anything; she didn’t envy Minnie in this moment.
Minnie slumped over and walked slowly to the altar, her movement stiff. She looked out across the full church, and a single tear escaped her right eye. She cleared her throat and picked up the microphone. She pulled a prepared speech from her breast pocket but slotted it back without opening it.
“I remember when Trevor and I married at this very same church.” She choked, but everyone waited patiently for her to regain her composure. “It seems like it was only yesterday. If you need any proof of how liked Trevor was in Ashbrook, you only need to look around at the number of people who have come to say their goodbyes. I’m sure everyone will agree that Trevor was a great man.”
Minnie paused, and people nodded in agreement. A lump rose in Alice’s throat, and she had a horrible feeling about what was coming next.
“But,” Minnie continued, her voice growing in strength, “no one is perfect. Even Trevor made mistakes.”
Alice’s blood ran cold as she realised what Minnie might reveal to the town. She waited for what felt like an eternity for Minnie to continue. Minnie tried more than once to speak, nothing more than inconceivable whispers escaping her lips whenever she raised the microphone to her mouth. The tears poured full throttle and she was unable to form more words. Alice moved quickly, hurrying down the aisle towards the altar. She pleaded silently for Minnie to not go down that path. Everyone would find out Trevor’s secret eventually, Alice was sure of that, but now wasn’t the time.
“I can’t do this,” she blubbered as she dropped the microphone on the floor with a thud. She stepped off the stage and Alice led her back to their seats.
Some stared at her in commiseration as she sat down, others looked at each other in confusion, but the majority had already started whispering. Alice hoped and prayed people weren’t figuring out the full story from Minnie’s choice of words.
Minnie seemed like she was somewhere else for the rest of the ceremony. She kept her head down while the vicar wrapped things up.
When the service finally ended, and it was announced they would move out to the graveyard for the burial, a sea of black and grey flooded out of the church. Alice hung back with Minnie. She had to hear dozens of commiserations directed to her widowed friend. They meant well but she could see the relief on Minnie’s face as soon as the last person had payed their respects.
They moved onto the grass and Minnie let out an anguished cry when she looked into Trevor’s empty grave. Instead of trying to calm, Alice let her cry. She needed to let it all out. As her sobs whistled through the silent graveyard, all eyes were suddenly anywhere but on Minnie.
After the coffin was lowered down and the final words had been uttered, Minnie sprinkled a handful of dirt onto the wooden box in the ground, her red eyes completely empty.
The wake was to be held at Ashbrook Inn. Minnie had requested to be left alone at the graveside for a few moments and Alice had hesitantly agreed after the vicar told her it was common.
Alice headed towards the inn, letting her legs move on their own. The inn was even busier than the church had been, so she assumed that some people had skipped the service.
Alice nodded and acknowledged the people she knew as she wormed her way to the bar; she needed a drink.
“Hello, Cindy,” she said when she reached the bar.
The barmaid and daughter of the owner was middle-aged but looked much yo
unger thanks to her radiant complexion and her long golden hair. Alice knew her well and she liked her. She was good at her job and always had a smile on her face. She always seemed carefree; Alice envied that.
“What a turnout,” Cindy said with a sad smile. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go. I knew Trevor well. He used to come here a lot with some blonde girl. Was she a relative?”
“Was her hair really blonde?”
“White, almost,” Cindy replied. “Not thinking of a new look, are you? The colour you have now is so pretty.”
“I couldn’t pull it off,” Alice joked. “I know she was staying here. When did she leave?”
“Leave?” Cindy replied, leaning over the bar and lowering her voice. “She’s still here. She keeps extending her stay one day at a time. She’s checked out three times already and then comes back straight after. Between you and me, I think she’s got a drinking problem. She’s down here every night, crying about some boyfriend that dumped her. At least that’s the gist I got.”
“Really?”
“Blondie!” a customer interrupted, waving an empty glass in the air. “When you’ve finished your little chin-wag, there’s customers that need serving.”
Cindy rolled her eyes and turned to the customer.
“Call me blondie one more time,” she warned, putting her hands on her hips, “and you’ll have to find another pub to get served in.”
The customer lowered his glass sheepishly before turning bright red. His rowdy friends pushed him and laughed.
“They’ve been here all day,” Cindy explained. “Guys like that are harmless once you knock them down a peg or two. But he has a point, I better get back to work. Large white wine?”
“Please.”
While Cindy poured the drink, Alice turned away from the bar and scanned the room. Would Faith be foolish and show her face at the wake? Just as she was about to turn back around, she noticed Thomas and Barry bickering in the corner behind one the jukebox.
Alice paid for her drink and headed over to Barry and Thomas. Barry rolled his eyes as soon as he saw Alice approach, but Thomas offered her a wide grin as he looked her up and down.
“Alice!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “How lovely to see you again. I must say, despite the terrible circumstances, you look beautiful.”
Alice shifted uncomfortably as her cheeks warmed up. Her dress was conservative but at that moment she felt exposed. She couldn’t pin-point what it was about Thomas that made her feel awkward, but she could feel it whenever she was in his presence.
“What do you want, Alice?” Barry asked.
Thomas looked at Barry like a parent scolding his child for doing something naughty.
“There’s no need for rudeness,” Thomas said, his smile unmoving. “Not on a day like this.”
Barry huffed and folded his arms, still glaring at Alice. She realised it would take more than a tatty copy of Alice in Wonderland to be forgiven for selling the original.
“I don’t know how many times I can apologise!” Alice cried, a prickle in her tone. “How was I supposed to know it was worth a lot of money?”
Barry shrugged, looking down at his shuffling feet. Alice scolded herself for letting her emotions get the better of her.
“I’m sorry, Barry,” Alice said softly. “I didn’t mean to shout at you like that. It’s just been an emotional day.”
Barry looked up at her, and for the first time in what felt like years, he smiled. It didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it was a start.
The tender moment didn’t last long because she heard a loud screech outside, followed by Minnie’s voice.
Alice thrust her glass at Thomas, not caring most of the contents spilled onto the floor.
She darted out of the pub, and a group had already formed, looking onwards at the commotion. Alice heard another scream and pushed through the bystanders. Minnie’s hand was wrapped tightly around Faith’s hair.
“Minnie!” Alice cried, running towards her. “What are you doing?”
“Not only was she sleeping with my husband,” Minnie shouted angrily, “but she’s swanning around here and rubbing it in my face!”
A chorus of gasps followed Minnie’s outburst. Faith appeared to be on the verge of tears when Minnie’s grip didn’t loosen.
“I wasn’t trying to rub it in your face!” Faith cried. “I was just going to pay my respects and leave. I promise!”
“You’re such a little–”
“Minnie!” Alice interrupted, ripping her friend away and standing between them. “This isn’t going to help anything!”
Faith crumbled to the floor, her hands clasped over the section of hair Minnie had had hold of.
“Not so hot now?” Minnie cried as she thrashed against Alice to get to the woman on the floor. “Are you?”
Minnie’s thrashing became more erratic, but Alice didn’t let go until Minnie’s fist connected with her cheek accidentally. Minnie’s eyes doubled when she realised what she’d done.
“Alice, I’m so sorry,” Minnie whispered.
“It’s fine,” Alice muttered as she clutched her stinging cheek. “It didn’t hurt.”
Minnie stared at Alice, her heavy breathing slowing as a little colour returned to her face.
“Minnie,” Faith whispered. “I’m so–”
Alice held her hand out to silence her. Faith was lucky that Alice had split them up before she’d done any real damage, but she wasn’t confident that she’d be as successful a second time.
Minnie looked down at the blonde woman, her nostrils flared as she balled her hands into little fists. When she looked at Alice, she relaxed her hands, her eyes a pool of mixed emotions.
Minnie’s mouth opened but she closed it again and turned to the crowd and marched towards them. They parted to make a path for her, clearly scared to poke the bear.
“Nothing to see here!” Alice shouted in their direction. “You can all move along.”
The crowd filtered back into the pub. For Minnie’s sake, Alice dreaded how quickly the gossip was going to circulate the village.
Alice rubbed her aching face once Minnie was out of sight. She’d lied for Minnie’s sake when she said it hadn’t hurt.
“Are you alright?” Faith asked.
“I’m fine.”
Faith looked up at Alice, her big eyes and her shrunken state making her look child-like. Alice felt sorry for her. She held her hand out, but Faith looked at it apprehensively.
“Come on,” she said, shaking her hand. “Unless you want to stay down there?”
Faith clasped her hand and rose, turning away from the few people that had remained outside.
Justin ran out and jogged to Alice, a look of panic on his face.
“What happened? I was in the bathroom and I heard people saying there was a fight, and that Minnie was involved?”
“It’s sorted,” she said. “But we need to get Faith out of the way until all this has blown over.”
“Come to mine,” Justin replied, appearing eager to help. “The pub is way too busy. I hate crowds, anyway.”
Faith let out a small noise that sounded somewhere between a laugh and cry.
“We’ll be along in a minute,” Alice said.
Justin slid his hands into his pockets and flicked his eyes between the two women before nodding.
“I don’t even know what to say,” Alice said once Justin was out of sight. “What were you thinking?”
“I just wanted to say goodbye before I left.”
“Well, you should come with us,” she said. “Better to stay away from the pub until the wake is over. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but the next time you say you’re going to leave, please follow through.”
“I planned to.”
“I understand why you didn’t,” Alice said. “You were reckless for staying, but I understand.”
They both looked back at the pub and then followed Justin who wasn’t far in front. She knew Minnie would be furio
us with her for helping Faith, but that was something she would worry about later.
12
Alice opened her eyes and squinted at the window as bright sunlight poured in. She stretched out and her back tightened up in response, sending a dull pain down her spine. She looked down at herself and realised the cause of her pain; she was still wearing the tight black dress from the night before.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and yawned as she wiped her eyes. She pulled her hands away from her face and black mascara streaks marked her palms. A quick glance at her phone let her know that it was already early afternoon.
She launched out of bed and ran around her room at lightning speed. She almost ripped the dress as she yanked it off. With no time to spare, she scooped up a pair of jeans and a jumper from her bedroom floor; they barely passed the sniff test.
She took the stairs two at a time, almost tripping more than once. She’d never been late in all the years she’d owned the shop, and she didn’t plan to make a habit of it. Why had she not set her alarm the night before? Her panic rose to a deafening volume when she realised it was Wednesday, Justin’s day off.
She ran into the kitchen, and was so caught up in her lateness, she jumped out of her skin when she spotted Justin leaning against the island with an amused smile.
“Crikey!” Alice cried. “You scared the living daylight out of me!”
“Please tell me you weren’t planning on going to work looking like that?” He looked her up and down with a playful shake of his head. “I know the ‘fresh out of bed look’ is fashionable but you could have at least brushed your hair.”
Alice turned to the mirror in the hallway, recoiling away from her dishevelled reflection.
She grabbed a brush from the side table and pulled it through her hair. Most of her hair had broken free from the French roll, but that didn’t stop the brush getting jammed in the mess of pins at the back.
“I’m so late,” she cried, forcing the brush through. “Why didn’t you wake me?”