Life's Funny Like That
It was now two months since Nat's untimely death.
The funeral had been attended by so many people and had been a celebration of a life.
Fred had arrived back to the UK and had been put up by Amanda and Joe. The poor soul had looked dreadful with an unhealthy grey complexion...he'd also lost a lot of weight.
David's worries about Patsy and Fred seeing each other again had proved unfounded.
In fact, Fred had come around to Patsy and David for a meal the day before the funeral, and Patsy had simply held him as he wept softly.
This poignant scene had prompted David to leave them in peace, and he had walked around to visit his son.
Fred had talked, and Patsy had listened. From time to time they had both cried and held each other tightly.
They spoke of their relationship with pride and no bad feeling. Both agreed that they were certainly better friends than lovers, and as friends they loved each other dearly.
When David returned, the two men had talked as Patsy prepared some coffee. Fred told David that he was making Patsy happy, and that pleased him. When the coffee cup was drained, Fred shook David's hand and kissed Patsy. Patsy squeezed his hand and no words were needed. She too had loved that young girl...she too was in mourning.
After the funeral, Fred had gone back to Spain...back to his new life. They all told him that there was always a place for him with any of them...he only needed to ask. The same went for Steve, who had now decided to move to Spain to be near his father. He felt as though his very soul had been extracted...he and Nat had been so close as twins, he was sure that he'd never get over the death of his beloved sister.
The group of friends hadn't got together again since the funeral. Somehow it didn't seem right to have fun.
One day though, Joe put all their thoughts into words.
"Life goes on," he said, not harshly
"Nat loved life...she loved to party...we should get together as a tribute to her"
Amanda said that she'd phone around to everyone and arrange a time for a 'get together'. She would have to check her flight rosters but she was sure that the coming Saturday would be good.
After an evening spent on the telephone, it was agreed that Saturday was indeed a good idea for a 'do'.
Amanda had arranged with everyone that they should all club together and order a Chinese take away meal to be delivered.
It was the beginning of April and still rather chilly in the evening. Joe lit a fire and handed Amanda a glass of wine as she set the table for later.
"I love you," he said to her
"I always have...you know that"
Amanda turned to face him and kissed him on the tip of his nose.
"Things are good now," she said
"I think my new job saved us."
Joe watched her as she went back to her task.
He hadn't looked at another female for weeks now. It took something like the death of Nat to bring home to you what terrific things you have around you. He could have lost Amanda...and the children...
Everyone seemed to arrive together. Becky was simply blooming, and a little designer bump was now becoming apparent.
She and Sam were so happy now, and her mother had to pinch herself now and again to make sure that this woman was in fact her daughter. The change in her was so great.
The evening was a complete success, and they all laughed and toasted each other. Their longstanding friendships meant a lot to them all, and it was suggested that Patsy should telephone Fred in Spain whilst they were all together.
She did, and he was delighted to speak to her. He had, he said, had a few very bad days, but Tia had helped him immensely...as had Steve.
She had been sorry not to attend the funeral, but her own father was so ill, and she had thought that it was enough that she was waiting with outstretched arms for Fred when he returned from the UK.
Anyway, Fred had said that they would be meeting her in the not too distant future. They were going to get married in Spain, and what could be better than having his greatest friends come over and help them celebrate.
They were ecstatic and told him so. David watched Patsy's expression for any trace of jealousy, but her smile told it all. She was well and truly happy for Fred, and they all cheered out loudly so that he could hear their reaction.
Months later they were to be found looking at wedding photos; let's look at them also.
In the first one we see a man and woman...so deliriously happy, also a young man who has been honored to be the best man at his father's wedding.
The next photograph shows a young couple and their young daughter...Natalie Jane. Yes, Becky and Sam are now the proud parents of a beautiful girl, and you would be hard pushed to find a better mother.
A couple of small children hang on to their granddad's arm as his fiancée smiles in the background.
Finally David and Patsy had agreed to marry. They would have a short engagement before the ceremony, after all...who wants to walk down the aisle wearing a marquee for a dress.
To David's astonishment and both their delight, Patsy and David are expecting their first baby in around six months time, and Patsy insisted that she wanted to be slim for their wedding.
Joe often jokes that it will be terribly embarrassing to have a baby brother or sister thirty-something years his junior. Secretly though, he is thrilled for them both.
THE END
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