At First Sight (GirlxGirl) LGBT+

Chapter Thirty-Four

It took weeks for the body to be released. The investigation rumbled on. Isla was interviewed about the contents of a letter she'd never seen. She forgives me, that was the question told me she did. 'What would Christie need to forgive you for?'

She looked at Dani who had just came into her office.
"Ready"
"as I'll ever be" Isla grimaced.
Dani decided to wear her dress uniform. "Thinking Christie would approve."
Isla nodded and smiled. "Yeah"
There were a number of teachers attending from the school. The funeral service was at Greenock crematorium.

Kelly and Isla took more to do with the arrangements. Christie's mum was drinking again. Her Dad was coming under prison guard and her brothers foster parents had decided that the boys were too young to attend. Even in death her family has abandoned her.

It turns out  Christie had saved all her wages from working in Amazon and had planned to run away with Kelly to live with Kel's cousin in Dundee. She had sold most of her stuff to add to the funds. The idea was to get jobs and then get a house together. Kel had been waiting at the train station, but Christie didn't show.

Kelly was devastated. Her future had suddenly and so completely changed. She had no choice in. Christie had no choice. Kel was broken while they planned. But Isla also learned that Christie really was loved.
Kel picked the music. She had chosen their song, Gerry Cinnamon, Belter. She had laughed as she explained that Christie had got drunk and sang it to her the first night they had kissed. She'd also picked one Christie's favourites for the committal. It was a really sad, but apt song for Christie's life. Isla thought, Salamander Street by another Scottish artist Callum Beattie.

...

The Humanist began. The congregation were asked to stand. Isla stared straight ahead. She couldn't bare to look at the coffin. She heard some people muffle cries and few giggles as Gerry Cinnamon kicks in. She looks over and watches her mum and dad. They should have looked after her better she thought. It might not be fair but it's true.

The humanist talks about Christie's life. It was an idealised version. Most of it was inaccurate. Isla shook her head as she listened to the lies. She spots Pam from the residential home across the aisle too. It was mostly workers a few friends from school but it was a quiet affair. It was sad.

They were asked to stand for the committal. The music started. The curtain started move round the coffin. Isla felt Dani take her hand and interlock their fingers. She couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She took a glance at Dani who was also crying. This was horrendous, it's not right. It's true what they say the good die young.

As the people pile out of venue. Dani continued to hold Isla's hand. The family were waiting to meet the mourners.
"You know this is your fault" Christie's Dad spat at a stunned Isla. "Until she joined your little dyke club she was a good girl. Then she took up with that" he pointed at Kel. "If she wasn't trying to runaway she'd never have been where she was"
Yeah of course it's my fault. Nothing to do with the fact you beat her mother, hit Christie. That her mother was a useless drunk nobody gave a fuck about her.
"Kel, gave her the chance to experience love. Your daughter was happiest when they were together"
"Fuck you" he moved into Isla's space. The prison guard pulled him back.

Isla sat in the passenger seat of her own car. Dani had decided that Isla was too upset to drive.
"I've got something for you" Dani said. She handed a folded piece of paper.
"What is it?"
"Eilidh told me to give it to and apologise that it's not the original"

The letter. Christie's letter. "Have you read it?"
"No it was addressed to you. And I wasn't involved in the investigation"

"Dan can I ask you something weird. Could we stop at our place? I have good memories there"
"You not wanting to go to the bowling club?"
"No watch her useless family drink themselves to oblivion and lie to each other about how well they looked after their daughter. She didn't deserve any of this." Isla was crying again.
"Okay Largs it is" Dani started the engine.