Chapter Forty-One
LIGHT HANDSThe church echoed the sound of the organ, sending the notes to waver near the vaulted ceiling before crashing over Phoenix’s head like a judgement. She bowed forward, her elbows digging into the hard muscles of her thighs. The fragrance of furniture polish and Mrs Randall’s colourful floral decoration encased her in familiarity, but it wasn’t enough. Phoenix Du Rose sought peace in all the usual places, meeting instead, the cacophony of her own muddled thoughts.
She saw Kirwan’s face everywhere. When she touched Mikaere’s sleek coat, she remembered their ride along the beach. When she closed her eyes, his hard kisses robbed her of sleep. She couldn’t reconcile the sense of aliveness which Kirwan possessed with the narrow casket which had summed up his life. H
