Footprints in the Sand

Epilogue: Florence and Nickolas

SIX MONTHS LATER

I posed for the camera in the coldest shoot I’d ever been in. So much, yet so little, had changed since September. It was now March: we’d moved house to a nice, four-bed home near the centre of town which was so much smaller than our last home, but suited the three of us just fine. I had turned 18, as had Carrie, Ash and Nick had turned 19, and I was around two months from doing my summer exams. We were going through a very cold March, and I was literally only wearing shorts and a cami top, not even shoes, standing down the sea front as the destructive wave’s crashed into the sand behind me. Nick looked on from a groyne, chuckling as I tried not to shiver and grinned at the camera like a total idiot. This was how I spent my weekends now: being the subject to ludicrous fashion shoots for various companies. I saw a small crowd gathering at the sea wall, headed by Eliza and her kids. I smiled and waved at them. I saw Mum and Rory walking down the promenade, and I sprinted down the beach, jumping down the groynes, ran up the stairs and hugged Mum.

            “Mummy.” I whispered as I hugged her tight.

            “You alright, sweetie?” She asked, hugging me tight.

            “I am absolutely frozen.” I shivered a little. Rory chuckled,

            “Valentino wants you.” He gestured. Valentino McGregor was my photographer, or normal photographer. I generally called him Tino, and he got on fairly well with Nick, even letting Nick join in on some photos when they wanted a male ‘model’ with me.

            “Flo, we need a few more, then you can put some clothes on.” Tino shouted. I sighed, slid through the railings, jumped down onto the sand and ran down to where Tino stood. A few dozen more photos were taken and a big, warm puffer coat was handed to me. I wrapped it around my cold shoulders and shivered into Nick’s arms. Nick giggled and rubbed my arms up and down and kissed my forehead.

            “You look totally frozen, Pooks.” Nick whispered.

            “I am.” I grumbled. Nick kissed my forehead.

            “She alright to go home?” Nick called to Tino.

            “If you’re taking her!” Tino shouted back. I smiled at my boyfriend and he led me towards the car. I sat down in shotgun, Mum drove, and the boys sat in the back.

            “Mum, can Meredith come down next weekend?” Rory piped up as we headed out of town. Rory and Meredith were officially an item, despite him living in Teignmouth, and her living in Bristol.

            “Yes, but no hanky-panky.” Mum smiled at her stepson. It wasn’t long after Dad’s funeral that Rory had started calling Mum ‘Mum’, and Mum loved it to bits.

            “Brill.” He went back to his texting.

            “Is he ever separate from his phone anymore?” Mum chuckled.

            “Nope.” Nick and I said in unison.

            “Are you two every separate anymore?”

            “Only when I’m at uni.”

            “Your aunt must miss you.”

            “Layla doesn’t mine. I think she likes the quiet now.”

            “I’m sure she does.” Mum agreed. All was quiet, and all was well.

THE END

*********

A/N

This is the last part so far, if I get any inspiration, this might become longer and more chapter-y. Anyway, please vote/comment! I'll write more of other stories!

Meggieissi xxx