The Last Chapter

The last day of the #FreewriteMadness / #NaNoWriMo challenge is seven days away, but right now, I feel drawn to work on the final chapter of my novel. I haven't written chronologically this month, at all, so my decision to work on the final chapter tonight doesn't mean that I'm finished the challenge, or I won't write any more over the coming days – in actual fact, I'm far from finished, I've fallen below the par line, and I'm not likely to get over it again until Monday, because a busy weekend lies ahead! Mark my words, though (literally 😉): by 23.59 on November 30th, I will be over the 50,000-word mark.

I always knew that this final chapter would mirror Chapter One, and would feature Breda, a very nosy old woman who appears in that chapter.

I have come home from a day spent caring for wild animals at Kildare Animal Foundation's Wildlife Unit, in addition to bidding farewell to a dear friend of mine who is moving to Australia for a year. Needless to say, my head isn't fully in the zone, writing-wise. I'll just sketch out a brief outline of the final chapter, do what I can before midnight, then get a good night's sleep and wake up refreshed tomorrow morning, ready to go for it properly.

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Context: Emma and Derek are in Emma's supermarket, but will soon be making their way to a school graduation ceremony where Emma's son, Brian, is receiving a prize for his excellent grade in physics.

'A year ago, I could never have dared to imagine this,' Emma admits. 'I never thought he'd make it this far ... but he's going for it now. My baby! I couldn't be prouder...'

She looks overcome. He smiles and squeezes her hand. 'I know. Are you ready to go?'

'Yep.'

They make their way out of the staff room and through the supermarket: their arms gently entwined, Emma leaning into him just a little.

'Mr Fitz! Mr Fitz?' Derek turns around and is astonished to see that old woman who approached him on the very day he met Emma, asking for his autograph. What was her name again?

'Breda Fitzsimmons,' she says graciously, extending her hand to shake his. 'I'm a Fitz, just like yourself! I'm descended from different Vikings than your crowd, though, obviously.' She winks at him, then – without missing a beat – pulls a notebook out of her handbag. Derek and Emma exchange an amused glance with one another.

‘Would you sign a page on this for my Tommy?' Breda asks Derek, beaming. 'He'd love to hear I met you. Oh, he'd be chuffed!’

‘Of course.’

As he begins to sign his name, he is acutely aware of Breda continuing to stare avidly at him. ‘I heard about the new girlfriend,’ she blurts out – he looks up and sees undisguised glee in her eyes. ‘Our very own Emma, no less! You’re a lucky man.’

Emma shakes her head, embarrassed, but cannot disguise a smile.

Derek grins and inclines his head, playing the role of courteous national hero once again. ‘You're absolutely right, Breda. Thank you.’

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310 words. I'm going to have a BUMPER writing session tomorrow morning – I have to, in order to stand any chance of catching up with that ever-elusive par line. 🤣

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