Page 45 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Ava had been surprised when Jack had asked her to accompany him to Mr Healey’s funeral.
All the same, she could see from his demeanour that he wanted her along to comfort him.
He mentioned he hadn’t been to a funeral since Dan’s and wanted to try and stop the inevitable memories from resurfacing.
At least, he said, if she was there with him, he would feel supported.
It was a small service, at Somerley Church to the right of the square in the town centre.
There were about fifty people in the congregation.
The vicar had some funny anecdotes that Harry must have shared with him.
All in all, it was a lovely tribute to a father from a son when they had never seen eye to eye.
Afterwards, they made the journey to Somerley Crematorium, where Mr Healey was laid to rest with his wife.
Ava noticed Harry trying to hold in his emotions.
Jack was rubbing his thumb back and forth over her hand as he squeezed it tightly.
She tried not to look his way, knowing it would upset her further to see his pain.
Once the service was over, the family gathered together while Harry stood on his own for a while.
‘I hate these things,’ Stella commented. ‘But that was nice, especially seeing as Harry hasn’t been home in so many years.’
‘It was,’ Jack agreed. ‘Heartfelt, I thought. I can’t imagine how Harry is coping on his own.’
‘Harry is Harry,’ Eliza joined in. ‘He’s always been a loner.’
‘No, he hasn’t,’ Jack disagreed. ‘None of us know him because he left so long ago and didn’t come back. For all we know, he might still be the great guy he was before he left.’
‘He stole your money and bankrupted the business!’
‘That’s not the way I see it now.’ Jack shook his head. ‘He was young and naive. So was I really, but I bet he left because he couldn’t cope with his father anymore. If he is a loner, that’s probably what started it. A feeling of not being grounded. Family matters.’
Ava swallowed, her eyes watering at the pain she could see in Jack’s. It was clear he was still grieving for his brother, his twin.
Harry came across to join them then. There were embraces, hugs, and handshakes all round.
‘Thank you for putting on the wake, Mr and Mrs B,’ Harry said to Stella and Max. ‘I’m sure it will be an impressive spread.’
‘It’s the least we could do, Harry,’ Stella said, touching his arm.
‘I agree,’ Max added. ‘Even though it’s under difficult circumstances, it’s been good to see you again, lad.’
‘We’ll be along in a few minutes,’ Jack said when everyone began to walk away.
Stella gave him a faint smile and a nod of understanding.
‘I wanted to show you where my brother was laid to rest,’ Jack said after they’d walked further into the cemetery.
‘It’s a beautiful place, so well-kept and peaceful.’ Ava smiled faintly. ‘I suppose they all are really, but you know what I mean. A lovely place to rest.’
Jack gave her hand a squeeze and pointed ahead. ‘Dan is buried in that row.’
A few moments later, they were standing at the foot of his grave. Ava read the words on the headstone. In loving memory of Daniel Broadhurst, treasured son, loved brother, and missed dad. It was so sad. He’d only been thirty-eight.
‘I miss him so much.’ Jack spoke quietly, and wiped tears from his eyes.
Ava glanced away, hoping she wouldn’t give out a loud sob.
Like Jack with his brother, funerals reminded her of her father’s and how many years she’d been without him.
It wasn’t the same, and everyone went through grief at certain stages of their lives, but she hoped she’d been a comfort to Jack today.
A few minutes passed, and they went back to the car. Just before they got inside, Jack turned to Ava.
‘I have something to tell you now that the funeral has passed. It was too morbid to say beforehand, and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.’ Jack paused for dramatic effect.
‘What is it?’ she asked.
‘Good news, I hope! My publisher is really impressed with your cover designs. They want to buy the six for the rebrand and any ongoing covers for books I write in the series.’
Ava gasped. ‘Ohmigod, really?’
‘Yes, there you go again. Really. They asked me how much you would charge, and as I know you would undersell yourself, I said five hundred pounds a cover was a good starting price. They’re not short of money.’
Ava squeaked, unable to do anything else.
‘You’d be surprised how much an exceptional group of covers will bring in for the publisher if they are eye-catching. It’s sometimes true what they say about judging a book by a cover. These encapsulate the area, the genre, the moodiness of DCI Rudyard, murky secrets and lies.’
‘That’s incredible,’ Ava said, at last finding her voice. ‘I’m shocked.’
‘In a good way, I hope?’
‘Yes, absolutely!’ She wasn’t going to tell him yet, but that had also given her a boost about going it alone. If she could get more cover design work, and if the books did well, then they would be effortless marketing for her. It gave her something to think about, for sure.
‘So what do you think?’ Jack queried.
‘First of all, thank you.’ Ava pulled him close and kissed him. ‘Then I think, although we can’t go now, we should call in to The Coffee Stop again for some of their delicious carrot cake to celebrate. What do you say?’
‘I’d say you’re sweet enough, but it’s far too cheesy.’
‘Cake. Cheese. You’re always talking about food, Jack Broadhurst.’