Keeping Love

Chapter 16

I went into the front room to see Olivia. She had taken up her position by the coffin side. The two old men on the night shift were snoring away in the corner of the room.

Olivia jumped slightly when I put my arm around her but smiled at me and leaned against me when she turned her head to see it was me.

"Do you know who they are?" I asked.

"Who?"

I nodded at the old men sleeping in the corner.

"That one's Grandpa's oldest brother, Tom. And that one I think is a old family friend." She pointed at each of the men in turn.

I nodded.

"Tom can sing you know."

I looked at the form of the old man and couldn't imagine him singing. I looked at her surprised.

"Yep, he's really good. He'll probably sing at the funeral." At the word funeral tears sprung into her eyes.

I hugged her tight as she sobbed against me, "it's ok." I said softly, "I know it's hard."

I moved us so we were sitting on a sofa away from the old men. Olivia cried against me.

"I'm sorry." She said pulling away from me once she had calmed down, "all I'm doing is crying on you."

"It's ok." I said pulling her back against me, "do you think I mind?" I asked her.

She looked up at me. I looked straight into her eyes.

"No." She shook her head, "I love you."

I kissed her quickly, "I love you too. If you ever need to cry or vent or anything at all, I'm your man."

"I know you are." She leant against back me taking one of my hands in both of hers so she could play with my fingers.

Ethan found us in the front room a couple hours later. I was sat on the sofa still but Olivia had taken up her position by the coffin.

Ethan came and sat next to me.

"Does she just stand there?" He whispered to me.

"Pretty much." I whispered back.

"You know I can hear you." Olivia said, "it's very quiet in here. And I've not been standing here all day. I step back if anyone else wants to see him."

"Right." Ethan nodded, "anyway," he turned to me first, "I take it you didn't bring a suit?" He asked me, "you are staying for the funeral right?"

"Yeah I'll stay and no Joanne packed my bag so.."

Ethan laughed, "god knows what's in there then. Well dad is bringing me into the shops, I don't have anything to wear if you want to tag along." He offered, "oh and he wants to speak to you too." He said to Olivia.

"Yeah that would be good." I nodded gratefully at Ethan and followed him out of the room.

I went upstairs and grabbed my wallet and came back down. "When are we going?" I asked Ethan. The house was starting to feel very full again.

"Now." He said, "dads just heard the Americans have arrived at the airport and while they are very lovely they're loud."

I laughed it was just like Ethan to want to avoid a crowd, even though it seemed he was related to half of Belfast.

"I'll just go tell Olivia I'm leaving." I said.

"No need." She said from behind me, "me and mum are coming too. We need dresses."