This Life

Chapter 37

The funeral went as well as a funeral could. Ellis sat through the whole service with barely the blink of an eye and no emotion on her face.

Meredith however was starting to crack, especially when Jack stood up and spoke on behalf of the family and shared stories of himself and Thatcher when they were children with the other mourners.

Meredith refused to break down in front of her mother and found herself holding and grasping Derek's hand several times. He had been a rock through the whole time.

As soon as they had arrived at the church Derek had stood right behind Meredith when she shook hands with the mourners as they arrived. Some of the people she knew others were just strangers to her. She could just make out their comments "imagine your sister killing your father." Derek rubbed her back and whispered in her ear "Ignore them."

Meredith took a deep breath and thanked the next mourners for coming.

The service was over and they were now at the graveyard. Jack had requested immediate family only at the graveside and once again Meredith was glad that Derek was there. Again he was standing slightly behind her his hand resting on the nape of her neck.

Derek was full of admiration for Meredith. He had no idea how she had not cracked. If it was him and he was burying his father he would be a wreck right about now.

It was only when the coffin was being lowered into the ground that he could hear sobs and saw her head tilt upwards towards the sky. He immediately started to rub her back.

She could not watch as they lowered her father's coffin into the ground. Neither could Jack who had now broken down along with Anna. Ellis was still showing no emotion on her face.

The burial was over and everyone started to make their way back to the cars.

Meredith stood where she was. She was not quite ready to move just yet.

Jack walked over to her and gave her a hug "We'll wait for you in the car," he said as he gave her hand a squeeze.

"Thanks," Derek replied.

As Jack, Anna and Ellis walked away Derek whispered in her ear "Are you okay?"

Meredith nodded her head "I just need a few minutes... alone," she pleaded.

"Okay," Derek said "I'll be sitting at the bench just over there," Derek replied pointing at the wooden bench.

He watched as Meredith stood in the same spot not moving. When she turned round he could see the tears start to appear.

"Mer," Derek said as he stood up and pulled her into his arms. Listening to her cry softly, he held her for a few minutes until she pulled away from his embrace and wiped her face.

He held for a few minutes before she pulled away from his embrace and wiped her face.

"Let's get this over with," Meredith smiled, "at least be grateful Jack will not be drinking, he has to read the will afterwards," Meredith sniffed.

"That's quick," Derek said.

"Dad wanted his will to be read on the day of his funeral. Jack decided to have the wake first and build some Dutch courage for the amount of debt we are now in," Meredith answered.

"Come on 'The Dog and Bone' awaits us," Meredith replied.

"The what?" Derek said as he arched his eyebrows.

"The Dog and Bone, the pub where the wake will be held," Meredith explained "Think the British version to Joes'."

"What a name..." Derek smiled.