Page 85 of Love Unlocked

Suddenly Melody spots Belinda in the crowd and she grins and almost yelps with happiness. She doesn’t want to get her hopes up, it could be just as support for Melody, which she appreciates.

‘And finally,’ Prunella says, ‘we want to pay tribute to Joe and Grace Plunkett, whose love was on the edge of loss. Their story means something different to everyone, but for all of us here we are drawn to them and their powerful love. Their tragic circumstances touch all of our hearts and symbolise enduring love, and sacrifice. I hope that you will take their strength and belief, and bring them into your love lives. Now go, find your loves!’ she says, lifting her hands in the air in celebration.

The crowd cheer and start moving, roaming around as if they’re searching. Melody’s heart breaks for those who can’t find who they want. But her heart surges when it works out, when suddenly somebody starts hugging another person in the crowd as they locate one another, both ready to reunite, both here with hope in their hearts. Melody sees Claire’s brother Tom embracing his wife. Her friend Gemma, who broke up with her husband over the dishwasher, holds hands with her daughters and walks through the crowd. Melody watches them, the three of them together, remembering when the girls were born and reflecting on how much they’ve matured to young women now. When they get to the other side of the crowd and their dad isn’t there, the three of them look at each other. They stand in a circle holding hands, facing each other.

‘We have each other,’ she hears Gemma saying, with a brave face. ‘You are both the loves of my life.’ The girls wipe tears from their cheeks and the three of them embrace.

Melody, who is rarely moved to tears, wipes a tear from her own cheek.

‘This is fun,’ Prunella says, placing the microphone down. ‘You’re quiet, is everything okay?’

‘Yeah, it’s just, a lot,’ Melody says, looking around.

‘It sure is,’ she says proudly. Then, Prunella, the woman who wants everything, disappears from her side, eager to get away.

Belinda inches towards her and they embrace. ‘You came!’

‘Of course I came.’ She’s dressed in a red patterned Orla Kiely dress, her long grey hair, with red streaks in the front, a strong red lip. ‘You look beautiful,’ she says, sizing her daughter up and down.

‘Are you here for me, or for Derek?’

‘He’s here?’ she asks, looking out, and Melody senses hope in her mother’s tone. She realises Belinda has made an effort with her outfit too, this is not just for Melody’s sake. The noise levels have gone up as everyone talks, catches up, makes friends, consoles others who have travelled here and yet are still alone.

‘Of course he’s here. Look.’

They both look out and see Derek standing alone, as still as a statue in the moving crowd. He has the bouquet of flowers in one hand, the box of chocolates in the other.

‘I hate those chocolates,’ Belinda says.

‘Stop, Mum.’

‘Sorry.’ Belinda’s lips quiver in a smile. ‘He does look dashing.’

‘Mum, I just want to say, you’re free to make whatever decision you want. It’s fine if you want to be alone, but you broke up with Derek because of a jigsaw puzzle. That’s what set it off. You want everything solved quickly so that you can live your life. Derek places life on top of the problem and he lives around it. He doesn’t let it get in the way. Maybe you stop trying to solve all the puzzles and clear them away, you can live with and on a puzzle. Or buy a new table. A table specifically just for puzzles.’

It makes perfectly good sense to Melody.

Belinda looks confused. ‘Darling, I have absolutely no idea what you just said, or what that means.’

‘Oh,’ her smile fades.

‘This really isn’t your thing, dear, all of this relationship love talk, but I can tell you’re working on it. Good for you,’ she says, patting her patronisingly. ‘Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to say hello to a dear friend.’ She grins and does a little dance off the bridge, making her way to Derek.

Melody watches her mother move through the crowd. She stops before him and he hands her the flowers. She smells them. Then he hands her the chocolates and Melody sees her mum shake her head.

Melody rolls her eyes. Why does she have to be so honest all the time?

Without blinking, Derek hands them to a woman standing alone beside him. The woman is delighted. She opens the box of chocolates, and offers them around. A man, who is also standing alone, steps closer and leans in to look at the chocolates. Their heads are bent close as they examine them. Melody observes the woman secretly check out the man, and the man secretly check out the woman. It’s so sweet, and beautiful. People just want a connection and there surely must be someone for everyone. Melody wants to cry. Melody never used to cry. What is wrong with her?

Derek holds out his hand to Belinda, she takes it and they start dancing, even though there’s no music. The crowd clear for them and make a little space around them.

‘Is he here?’ Prunella asks, beside her again.

‘Where were you?’

‘Never you mind. Did he come?’

‘Who?’