The Life and Afterlife of Charlie Brackwood (The Brackwood Series Book 1) by Stacey Field Page B

confident and independent, but most of all I wanted her to find out who she really was, and she wouldn't do that serving customers in Mrs Broom's tea rooms, where she spent her Saturdays.  It killed me to see her go, to lose an important and loving friend.  I was afraid of being replaced in her life.  Of being left behind.  But I knew I couldn't possibly force Lucy to turn her back on a bright, fulfilling future as well as a life-changing journey.  She needed her own group of friends and I kept telling myself that the experience would be good for her.
    I decided to keep quiet about the feelings raging inside my head.  The storm eventually subsided, but I knew it would return when Lucy was gone. I told myself that it wouldn't be fair for me to be a burden on her and that I must allow her to grow. 
    I looked at the interlocking branches above us and felt the sturdy trunk of old oaky.  This tree was strong because it had been allowed to grow, it had been given space, time and warmth.  It had not been cut down in its early years due to the selfishness of man.  It had grown tough through the passing of time and could now survive all weathers.  It stood proud through the storms and never withered during periods of drought.  Lucy had to be given the same chance that had been given to this beautiful tree.  She needed time, space and the chance to grow.
    As I look back on those years I have no feeling of regret.  I have met countless men in this wondrous Heaven who are riddled with it, wish they could go back and relive their youthful years and cherish them.  To appreciate the small things, but also to refrain from sauntering through life with a conceited and egotistical attitude.  To realise that it was short and deserved to be valued.  To treasure, not just our own lives but the lives that surround us every day, the ones we choose to overlook.  Humans are an egocentric species and acts of kindness are few and far between.  Altruism is far too often dismissed in our modern world, and selfishness is common.
    Of course, hindsight is sometimes a hardship.   In my experience it is so much better to believe that you lived each moment as best you could and remember the important chapters of your story.
    I realised that Lucy had grown quiet. I was not the only one absorbed in my own thoughts.  She revealed to me years later that she was fighting back tears at the thought of leaving her beloved village. This was the last time she’d look at these familiar surroundings before she left for university the next morning.  The realisation that it would be months before she saw the hills again saddened her.
    I snapped out of my own thoughts and concentrated on Lucy.
    "Well... I'll come and visit you," I said, my chin raised and a lopsided smirk on my face. I was hoping I appeared charming. 
    Lucy looked back at me, green eyes shining with hope and excitement.  “Really?  That would be fantastic.  You and Russ could maybe make it into a road trip… that's if the Mini can take it.  You'd have so much fun." She was talking fast, words bursting out of her in breathless excitement. 
    I nodded, trying to ignore the nonchalant mention of Russ's name.  "You could show us the sights of Bath or we could even take a day trip to London. It's not that far from Bath.  I've never been to London... I hear it’s happenin'."
    Lucy giggled and I felt a wash of relief.  "You know what?  I'll even write to you.  Let me know your address once you get there."
    "You? Write?  I can hardly believe it," she joked.
    "I'll have you know that I'm quite an accomplished and humorous writer," I said in mock reproach.  "But don't expect Shakespeare," I added swiftly. “If all my spelling is correct it's a good day."
    We both laughed and the air felt lighter for the banter and teasing. The atmosphere had finally eased.  Even the fog seemed to have dispersed. We could just make out the road beyond the dry-stone wall that surrounded the field