Game Of Bliss

(43)

For the second time in under a month the Shelby family were stood around a freshly dug grave, all dressed in black. A white rose, Reubens favourite, in each of their hands ready to lay to rest with him.

To anyone looking at them, they'd seem united in the face of death, but everyone standing there knew there was a distinctive line between them. Those who were regretting London, and thinking that although this death was nothing to do with London, it may not be the last funeral they attend this year. And the other half were those who still wanted to pursue the 'opportunities' in London.

One thing that's the same for the majority there is the glances they were exchanging, and the confused looks at Eldon who's stood with a young girl who's holding a small piece of paper with a smiley face on it.

They didn't know an awful lot of information about Malachi's brother, but they were convinced that he'd never had a daughter. That felt like a piece of information they would have heard about. She did sort of look like him, she had thick, dark, curly hair similar to how Malachi and Eldon had their hair, however her complexion was darker than their fair skin, and her eyes were a soft honey brown rather than a striking dark green.

The vicar was speaking, but nobody was listening. They were either distracted by the young girl, or just staring at the casket in the ground, memories of Reuben flooding their minds.

People only began paying attention to him when he invited Malachi over to speak, they watched as the man walks sombrely towards the grave, his fingers slowly twirling the rose. What the actual fuck was he supposed to say? He didn't think the funeral would come this soon. He didn't think he'd ever be this young when he had to say goodbye to his best friend... someone his own age. When he lost Betty he thought it'd be a one off, he didn't think he'd have to say goodbye to somebody else this soon.

"Reuben wa- is... he is my best friend," Malachi states, he couldn't bring himself to use past tense when referring to Reuben.

"There's plenty to say about him, but deep down at his core, he was an unbelievably caring, loving soul who made it his mission to put smiles on other people's faces, that's all he ever wanted... to make people happy," Malachi says, "he is loved and he will be missed."

Malachi was finding it hard to speak legibly. It felt like he was stuttering over every word, and choking on his sentences. He bows his head, before crouching to place the rose on the coffin.

Florence steps out of line, walking over to Malachi, joining him in a crouched position wincing slightly due to her thigh, before placing her rose down. She then takes ahold of Malachi's hand, placing a kiss on his knuckles which still had bruises on them... he couldn't seem to catch a break.

She then guides him back to his feet, leading him to the side slightly so the rest of the family could pay their respects.

The Shelby brothers were the last ones stood in the line, their faces becoming ones of confusion when Malachi glares at them. Or near them at least. John looks around but can't see anybody behind them that Malachi could possibly be looking at.

"Excuse me," Malachi says, kissing Florence's temple before storming in her brothers' direction, going one step past them, reaching onto the floor.

"Which one of you is it?" Malachi asks.

"We don't know what you're talking about," Tommy replies, "are you doing okay?"

Malachi scoffs, shaking his head, "one of you knows exactly what I'm talking about."

The eldest three look at him with blank expressions, shrugging. Malachi then glances down at Finn who was doing anything he could to avoid eye contact.

"Finn, give me a fucking name," Malachi demands, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Mal, you're going through a lot, we understand that, but don't for one second think that it is okay to speak to him like that," Arthur says, "if we have no idea what you're talking about, what chance does he have?"

"Arthur, I don't believe I was talking to you," Malachi replies.

"Jenson King," Finn whispers.

"Finn, what's he talking about?" Tommy asks.

"Do you have any more on you?" Malachi questions, and Finn shakes his head.

"You saw what this shit did to Florence, why would you even consider putting yourself in the same position? And why would you bring it to a shitting funeral," Malachi says, "I won't tell her but you better not touch the stuff again."

"Florence first used at a funeral," Finn replies timidly.

"... Finn," John sighs, "that doesn't make this okay. You take it again and I'll put your head through a window."

"I-I'm sorry," Finn says, watching Malachi crush the half full bottle of opium, the powder falling onto the floor.

"You're sorry?" Tommy repeats, "Finn, you saw how she almost fucking died, and you're sorry? Are you completely insane?"

"I don't know what else you want me to say," Finn replies, "I won't do it again. I was... I was intrigued, Flo said she saw Betty, that she spoke to her. I wanted to know if I could see Reuben."

"It's bullshit, Finn, she never saw Betty," Malachi says, "she was hallucinating, and an addict. Learn from her mistakes, don't repeat them."

"I won't," Finn shakes his head.

"What's going on over here? You five are drawing quite a lot of attention to yourselves," Polly intervenes.

"Nothing, it's all sorted," Arthur shrugs.

"Malachi, open your hand," Polly demands, reaching for his arm, his hand clenched shut around the small bottle.

"Don't think I won't open it for you," Polly threatens, and begrudgingly with a sigh, Mal opens his palm so she can see the bottle.

"Polly, it's done, whoever it was won't do it again," Tommy states.

"Well whoever it was is an inconsiderate asshole," Polly scoffs, "and they better hope I don't find out it was them."