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She smiled. “I suppose there couldn’t be two less likely people for it to happen to.”
“For what to happen to?” Poseidon asked, walking over to O and resting his hands on her shoulders.
“We’re in love,” I responded. “Not with each other,” I quickly added.
He chuckled. “Yes, Typhon, I know it’s not with each other. If that were the case, I’d have to kill you.”
“We were agreeing we’ve been transformed,” O said, smiling up at him in a way I’d never seen before. “By the way, Typhon is here to give me an update on Verity.”
On my way here, I’d sent a message, letting O know about Verity’s request as to who she’d permit me to inform of her condition. Thankfully, Poseidon excused himself and left the room. Once he was gone, I recounted the events of the last two weeks.
I left an hour later, and when I got to Brighton, El wasn’t in her studio or at the house, and when I rang her, she didn’t pick up. Dread flooded my body.
I immediately opened the tracker app on my phone. She was aware of it and also that I’d only use it when it was absolutely necessary. When her location pinged, I saw she was on the beach, about a kilometer away.
What would she be doing out there in this weather, and why hadn’t she answered her mobile? I raced outside and, once on the beach, ran in her direction. I saw her, and when I approached, I noticed she had her head down and appeared to be sobbing.
“El?”
She looked up and reached for me. As I took her hand, I settled on the sand and pulled her into my arms.
“It’s Mike.” Her voice cracked, and she clung to me.
“What happened?”
“His daughter came to the studio. He died, Levi.”
“God, El. I’m so sorry. When?”
“Last night.” Eliza sobbed harder, and I held her. Eventually, she took several deep breaths and wiped her face on my shirt.
“I’m so very sorry, my love.”
“She said he was sick for a while, which was why he was anxious to sell his studio and the house.”
“I’m glad we were able to give him that peace of mind.”
Eliza looked up at me. “I hadn’t thought about it that way.” She wrapped her arms around my waist. “I’d like to return to London for the services. Would you mind?”
“Not at all. We’ll go together.”
“Thank you, Levi.”
We stayed on the beach for several more minutes, in the same way we had the first day we came to Brighton. El sat between my legs, her back to my front, and I had my arms around her.
“I walked, not wanting anyone to see me crying, until I couldn’t go on anymore. That’s why you found me here,” she explained. I didn’t ask why her mobile was off. I’d found her, and that was all that mattered.
Mike’s service, held the following morning, was standing-room only. When I noticed older people in the back unable to get a seat, I whispered to El that I’d give my seat up, and she said she wanted to as well.
On our way to the rear of the cathedral, my eyes met those of my father, who was seated beside my mother. I shouldn’t have been surprised by their presence, but I could tell by the look on their faces that they were confused as to why I was there. I stopped, said a quick hello, and suggested we meet after the service concluded.
“My parents are here,” I whispered, knowing Eliza wouldn’t ask who I’d been talking to. “I said we’d connect later. I’m anxious for you to meet them.”
We’d been seeing each other for close to a year, and while I’d thought about introducing El to my family, I hadn’t made the time. Something I now regretted.
When the priests entered from behind the altar area, conversation stopped in the sanctuary and Eliza took my hand. We listened to people speak about Michael Beaumont, who I’d always think of as Mike. He’d touched the lives of so many, and I thanked the heavens that El and I had been among them. Especially for her sake.
Thankfully, the weather was mild and unseasonably warm while we waited on the front steps at the conclusion of the service. Eventually, my parents made their way over to where we stood.