Glass half full

Chapter 11

Once I had left the funeral home I checked my phone and saw nothing really of consequence so made my way to the beach and just sat in the car listening and watching the waves. I think I actually dozed off a bit but the next time I looked at my phone I noticed it was getting late and needed to get back and make dinner.

After pulling up on the driveway I noticed another car I wasn't familiar with but shook it off and walked through the door shouting "I'm home" to anyone that was in and then took my shoes off before heading to the kitchen. As my back was turned I felt like I wasn't alone anymore, a couple of seconds later I hear an almighty yell of Charlie trying to make me jump, it did slightly surprise me so as I turned around I kind of elbowed him in his chest and winded him. "Well it serves you right sneaking up on me doesn't it!" I chuckled lightly at him still bent over in discomfort until I noticed Jodie stood in the door way with the twat that is James behind her.

I made myself busy and started to prepare everything for the dinner and tune everything out, once I start putting the finishing touches on the dinner I lift my head and notice Donna watching me with a soft smile. After a couple of seconds she opens her arms and I slump into them and stay there for a minute and we stay silent, she's just slowly rubbing my back. "Come on yn I want to taste your amazing food again"

"ok, do you want to shout everyone?" I say and then break the embrace. I get a bottle of wine and open it so it can breathe for a minute before pouring. I hear Donna shouting everyone to sit in the dining room and she helps me carry everything in. I realise that because James is still there and now sat at the table next to Jodie there isn't enough food for everyone so after my last trip back into the kitchen to get the wine and glasses I tell them "dig in before it goes cold, let me know what you think, I hope you enjoy. I'm going to go and meet Dana so will see you later." I make my way out of the dining room and see the look of pity from Donna, I hate it. I shook my head of the current thoughts and head to the door to put my shoes on and failed to notice Jodie behind me. "I thought you weren't meeting Dana till 8pm, what's going on?" I keep my attention on my shoes and tell her nothing is going on and that Dana would be arriving early even though I know she wouldn't be, if anything she would be late like always.

I stand up and walk to the door and open it, I looked back to see Jodie looking at me, "go and eat your dinner, you were looking forward to it earlier"

"I know I was but I wanted to eat with you and talk to you, it's your last night here and tomorrow you'll be busy sorting things for the day then the funeral and from there you're going straight to the airport. At least stay and eat with us, you put so much effort into it and now you're just leaving" she walked over to me and started trying to drag me back into the house.

"Jodie please stop, we can talk later, I don't want there to be any issues –" she cuts me off "come on, just eat with us please, I'll make you a plate" I chuckle and hold her hand, "you can't make me a plate, there was enough for 5 and there are 5 of you there, so go and eat, don't be wasting this chance of eating my cooking" I gave her a cheeky grin and she smiled briefly until it was like a light bulb went off. "oh fuck ynn I am so sorry I didn't even realise, I got so caught up in me and James talking I di-" now it was my turn to interrupt her.

"Do not even think you need to apologise, I am ok, and I wanted you to talk with him did I not? And it looked like it worked. Now please go and enjoy your dinner, I will see you later ok" I brushed my thumb across her hand before letting go, I turned and walked out of the door but heard her say "no you won't, I know you too well" I smiled to myself before heading to the car and breathing out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I head to the beach again and manage to get there in time to watch the sun set, the sky is filled with reds, pinks and oranges, it looks amazing and it really resonates right now, the sun has set on my time with Hazel but it will rise and she will never be forgotten. I didn't realise I was crying until I licked my lips and tasted salt but now that I think of it I haven't really had the chance to just sit and think and haven't had the time to grieve so I am using this time now to do that whilst looking at the beautiful setting sun.

I didn't quite realise how much time I had spent at the beach and didn't realise how dark it was now until I was broken out of my thoughts by my phone ringing, it made me look at the time and my heart sunk a bit "SHIT!" I started the car and then answered the phone. "I'm sorry I'm on my way I got held up, have a coffee and I'll be there by the time you've finished."

"You best be yn, I'll be by the pick-up in 25minutes, don't get caught speeding because knowing you you've forgotten and are just pulling out of Jodie's Drive now."

I laugh "actually that is incorrect but not by much, I will be there, see you soon" and I hung up before she can question it.

As I'm speeding towards the motorway and heading towards Manchester I put the pickup in the sat nav as it's been a while since I've been to Manchester airport, and luckily I arrive in 24 minutes and I see her walk outside towards the car with Nae. I hop out of the car and give them both a grin, "told you I'd be here"

"yeah yeah, open the boot for me please" I do so and then get knocked to the side slightly by my niece hugging my legs. I pick her up and she wriggles in my hold "what are you wriggling for? Are you too old to give me hugs now?" as I fake a look of hurt at her.

"Yes"

"Fine" I let her fall slightly so her feet are on the floor and then began tickling her until she begs me to stop. When she recovers I put her into the back seat and notice Dana is in the driving seat. I rolled my eyes and then got in the car. During the journey Dana tells me more of the plan for work and lets me know I will need to put in hidden cameras and that in 3 days' time there will be no one at the house so will be better to do it then. It all seems a bit extreme to me but what do I know. 

(I am really sorry for not updating, its all been a bit wild and was out of the country for 3 weeks without my laptop. I did manage to write some bits but just need to figure where they all fit and how to make it all come together.)